¶ The Minister shall begin the Evening Prayer by reading one or more of the
following Sentences of Scripture; and then he shall say that which is written
after them. But he may, at his discretion, pass at once from the Sentences to the
Lord's Prayer.
¶ And NOTE, that when the Confession and Absolution are omitted, the Minister
may, after the Sentences, pass to the Versicles, O Lord open thou our lips, etc.,
in which case the Lord's Prayer shall be said with the other prayers, immediately
after The Lord be with you, etc., and before the Versicles and Responses which
follow.
THE LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep
silence before him. Hab. ii. 20.
   LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the
place where thine honour dwelleth. Psalm xxvi. 8.
   Let my prayer be set forth in thy sight as the incense;
and let the lifting up of my hands be an evening sacrifice.
Psalm cxli. 2.
   O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness; let the
whole earth stand in awe of him. Psalm xcvi. 9.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my
heart, be alway acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my
strength and my redeemer. Psalm xix. 14.
Advent. Watch ye, for ye know not when the master of the
house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the
cock-crowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly he
find you sleeping. St. Mark xiii. 35, 36.
Christmas. Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and
he will dwell with them, and they shall be his
people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their
God. Rev. xxi. 3.
Epiphany. The Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings
to the brightness of thy rising. Isaiah lx. 3.
Lent. I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is
ever before me. Psalm li. 3.
   To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses,
though we have rebelled against him; neither have we
obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in his laws
which he set before us. Dan. ix. 9, 10.
   If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and
the truth is not in us; but if we confess our sins, God is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
from all unrighteousness. 1 St. John i. 8, 9.
Good Friday. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have
turned every one to his own way; and the
LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah liii. 6.
Easter. Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. xv. 57.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which
are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Col. iii. 1.
Ascension. Christ is not entered into the holy places made
with hands, which are the figures of the true;
but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of
God for us. Heb. ix. 24.
Whitsunday. There is a river, the streams whereof shall
make glad the city of God, the holy place of the
tabernacles of the Most High. Psalm xlvi. 4.
   The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that
heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And
whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev.
xxii. 17.
Trinity Sunday. Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the
whole earth is full of his glory. Isaiah vi. 3.

LET us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.

¶ Or else he shall say as followeth.
DEARLY beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us, in
sundry places, to acknowledge and confess our
manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not
dissemble nor cloak them before the face of Almighty God
our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble,
lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may
obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and
mercy. And although we ought, at all times, humbly to
acknowledge our sins before God; yet ought we chiefly so
to do, when we assemble and meet together to render
thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his
hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most
holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and
necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I
pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to
accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, unto
the throne of the heavenly grace, saying—

A General Confession.
¶ To be said by the whole Congregation, after the Minister, all kneeling.
ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred,
and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep. We have
followed too much the devices and desires of our own
hearts. We have offended against thy holy laws. We have
left undone those things which we ought to have done; And
we have done those things which we ought not to have
done; And there is no health in us. But thou, O Lord, have
mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare thou those. O
God, who confess their faults. Restore thou those who are
penitent; According to thy promises declared unto mankind
n Christ Jesus our Lord. And grant, O most merciful
Father, for his sake; That we may hereafter live a godly,
righteous, and sober life, To the glory of thy holy Name.
Amen.

The Declaration of Absolution, or Remission of Sins.
¶ To be made by the Priest alone, standing; the People still kneeling.
ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that
he may turn from his wickedness and live, hath given
power, and commandment, to his Ministers, to declare and
pronounce to his people, being penitent, the Absolution and
Remission of their sins. He pardoneth and absolveth all
those who truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy
Gospel.
   Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance,
and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him
which we do at this present; and that the rest of our life
hereafter may be pure and holy; so that at the last we may
come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

¶ Or this.
THE Almighty and merciful Lord grant you Absolution
and Remission of all your sins, true repentance,
amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his
Holy Spirit. Amen.

¶ Then the Minister shall kneel, and say the Lord's Prayer; the People still
kneeling, and repeating it with him.
OUR Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is
in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us
our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against
us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from
evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

¶ Then likewise he shall say,
O Lord, open thou our lips.
Answer. And our mouth shall show forth thy praise.

¶ Here, all standing up, the Minister shall say,
   Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy
Ghost;
   Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever
shall be, world without end. Amen.
   Minister. Praise ye the Lord.
   Answer. The Lord's Name be praised.

¶ Then shall follow a Portion of the Psalms, according to the Use of this Church.
And at the end of every Psalm, and likewise at the end of the Magnificat,
Cantate Domino, Bonum est confiteri, Nunc dimittus, Deus misereatur,
Benedic, anima mea, shall be sung or said the Gloria Patri; and at the end of
the whole Portion or Selection of Psalms for the day, shall be sung or said the
Gloria Patri, or else the Gloria in excelsis, as followeth.

Gloria in excelsis.
GLORY be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will
towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we
worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for
thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the
Father Almighty.
   O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; O Lord God,
Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins
of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away
the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest
at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
   For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only,
O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of
God the Father. Amen.

¶ Then shall be read the First Lesson according to the Table or Calendar.
¶ After which shall be sung or said the Hymn called magnificat, as followeth.
¶ But, NOTE, That the Minister, at his discretion, may omit one of the Lessons in
Evening Prayer, the Lesson read being followed by one of the Evening Canticles.

Magnificat. St. Luke i. 46.
MY soul doth magnify the Lord, * and my spirit hath
rejoiced in God my Saviour.
   For he hath regarded * the lowliness of his handmaiden.
   For behold, from henceforth * all generations shall call
me blessed.
   For he that is mighty hath magnified me; * and holy is his
Name.
   And his mercy is on them that fear him * throughout all
generations.
   He hath showed strength with his arm; * he hath
scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
   He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath
exalted the humble and meek.
   He hath filled the hungry with good things; * and the rich
he hath sent empty away.
   He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant
Israel; * as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and
his seed, for ever.

¶ Or this Psalm.
Cantate Domino. Psalm xcviii.
O SING unto the LORD a new song; * for he hath done
marvellous things.
   With his own right hand, and with his holy arm, * hath he
gotten himself the victory.
   The LORD declared his salvation; * his righteousness
hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen.
   He hath remembered his mercy and truth toward the
house of Israel; * and all the ends of the world have seen
the salvation of our God.
   Show yourselves joyful unto the LORD, all ye lands; *
sing, rejoice, and give thanks.
   Praise the LORD upon the harp; * sing to the harp with a
psalm of thanksgiving.
   With trumpets also and shawms, * O show yourselves
joyful before the LORD, the King.
   Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is; * the
round world, and they that dwell therein.
   Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful
together before the LORD; * for he cometh to judge the
earth.
   With righteousness shall he judge the world, * and the
peoples with equity.

¶ Or this.
Bonum est confiteri. Psalm xcii.
IT is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, * and to
sing praises unto thy Name, O Most Highest;
   To tell of thy loving-kindness early in the morning, * and
of thy truth in the night season;
   Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the lute; *
upon a loud instrument, and upon the harp.
   For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy works;
* and I will rejoice in giving praise for the operations of thy
hands.

¶ Then a lesson of the New Testament, as it is appointed.
¶ And after that shall be sung or said the Hymn called the Nunc dimittis, as
followeth.

Nunc dimittis. St. Luke ii. 29.
LORD, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, *
according to thy word.
   For mine eyes have seen * thy salvation,
   Which thou hast prepared * before the face of all people;
   To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, * and to be the glory
of thy people Israel.

¶ Or else this Psalm.
Deus misereatur. Psalm lxvii.
GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us, * and show us
the light of his countenance, and be merciful unto us;
   That thy way may be known upon earth, * thy saving
health among all nations.
   Let the peoples praise thee, O God; * yea, let all the
peoples praise thee.
   O let the nations rejoice and be glad; * for thou shalt
judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon
earth.
   Let the peoples praise thee, O God; * yea, let all the
peoples praise thee.
   Then shall the earth bring forth her increase; * and God,
even our own God, shall give us his blessing.
   God shall bless us; * and all the ends of the world shall
fear him.

¶ Or this.
Benedic, anima mea. Psalm ciii.
PRAISE the LORD, O my soul; * and all that is within me,
praise his holy Name.
   Praise the LORD, O my soul, * and forget not all his
benefits:
   Who forgiveth all thy sin, * and healeth all thine
infirmities;
   Who saveth thy life from destruction, * and crowneth
thee with mercy and loving-kindness.
   O praise the LORD, ye angels of his, ye that excel in
strength; * ye that fulfil his commandment, and hearken
unto the voice of his word.
   O praise the LORD, all ye his hosts; * ye servants of his
that do his pleasure.
   O speak good of the LORD, all ye works of his, in all
places of his dominion: * praise thou the LORD, O my soul.

¶ Then shall be said the Apostle’s Creed by the Minister and the People, standing.
And any Churches may, instead of the words, He descended into Hell, use the
words, He went into the place of departed spirits, which are considered as
words of the same meaning in the Creed.

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven
and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: Who was
conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary:
Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and
buried: He descended into hell; The third day he rose again
from the dead: He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the
right hand of God the Father Almighty: From thence he
shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost: The holy Catholic Church;
The Communion of Saints: The Forgiveness of sins: The
Resurrection of the body: And the Life everlasting. Amen.

¶ Or the Creed commonly called the Nicene.
I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of
heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:
   And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of
God; Begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God,
Light of Light, Very God of Very God: Begotten, not made;
Being of one substance with the Father; By whom all
things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation
came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy
Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man: And was
crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and
was buried: And the third day he rose again according to
the Scriptures: And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on
the right hand of the Father: And he shall come again, with
glory, to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom
shall have no end.
   And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, and Giver of
Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; Who
with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and
glorified; Who spake by the Prophets: And I believe one
Catholic and Apostolic Church: I acknowledge one Baptism
for the remission of sins: And I look for the Resurrection
of the dead: And the Life of the world to come. Amen.

¶ And after that, these Prayers following, the People devoutly kneeling; the
Minister first pronouncing,
The Lord be with you.
Answer. And with thy spirit.
Minister. Let us pray.

¶ Here, if it hath not already been said, shall follow the Lord's Prayer.

Minister. O Lord, show thy mercy upon us.
Answer. And grant us thy salvation.
Minister. O Lord, save the State.
Answer. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Minister. Endue thy Ministers with righteousness.
Answer. And make thy chosen people joyful.
Minister. O Lord, save thy people.
Answer. And bless thine inheritance.
Minister. Give peace in our time, O Lord.
Answer. For it is thou, Lord, only, that makest us dwell
in safety.
Minister. O God, make clean our hearts within us.
Answer. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
 
¶ Then shall be said the Collect for the Day, and after that the Collects and Prayers
following.

A Collect for Peace.

O GOD, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels,
and all just works do proceed; Give unto thy servants
that peace which the world cannot give; that our hearts
may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by
thee, we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may
pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of
Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
 
A Collect for Aid against Perils.
LIGHTEN our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and
by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and
dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our
Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
¶ In places where it may be convenient, here followeth the Anthem.,
¶ The Minister may here end the Evening Prayer, with such Prayer, or Prayers,
taken out of this Book, as he shall think fit.

A Prayer for The President of the United States,
and all in Civil Authority.
ALMIGHTY God, whose kingdom is everlasting and
power infinite; Have mercy upon this whole land; and
so rule the hearts of thy servants THE PRESIDENT OF THE
UNITED SATES, The Governor of this State, and all others in
authority, that they, knowing whose ministers they are,
may above all things seek thy honour and glory; and that
we and all the People, duly considering whose authority
they bear, may faithfully and obediently honour them,
according to thy blessed Word and ordinance; through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost
liveth and reigneth ever, one God, world without end.
Amen.
 
A Prayer for the Clergy and People.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, from whom cometh
every good and perfect gift; Send down upon our
Bishops, and other Clergy, and upon the Congregations
committed to their charge, the healthful Spirit of thy grace;
and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the
continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the
honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
 
A Prayer for all Conditions of Men.
O GOD, the Creator and Preserver of all mankind, we
humbly beseech thee for all sorts and conditions of
men; that thou wouldest be pleased to make thy ways
known unto them, thy saving health unto all nations. More
especially we pray for thy holy Church universal; that it
may be so guided and governed by thy good Spirit, that all
who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into
the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the
bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we com
mend to thy fatherly goodness all those who
are any ways afflicted, or distressed, in mind,
body, or estate; [* especially those for whom our
prayers are desired;] that it may please thee to
comfort and relieve them, according to their
several necessities; giving them patience under their sufferings,
and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And
this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
* This may be
said when any
desire the
prayers of the
Congregation
               
A General Thanksgiving.
ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we, thine
unworthy servants, do give thee most humble and
hearty thanks for all thy goodness and lovingkindness
to us, and to all men; [* particularly
to those who desire now to offer up their praises
and thanksgivings for thy late mercies
vouchsafed unto them.] We bless thee for our
creation, preservation, and all the blessings of
this life; but above all, for thine inestimable love in the
redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the
means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech
thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our
hearts may be unfeignedly thankful; and that we show forth
thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving
up our selves to thy service, and by walking before thee in
holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost,
be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
* This may be
said when any
desire to return
thanks for
mercies vouchsafed
to them.

¶ NOTE, That the General Thanksgiving may be said by the Congregation and the
Minister.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom.
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time
with one accord to make our common supplications
unto thee; and dost promise that when two or three are
gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their
requests; Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of
thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting
us in this world knowledge of thy truth, and in the world to
come life everlasting. Amen.
 
2 Cor. xiii. 14.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all
evermore. Amen.
¶ Here endeth The Order of Evening Prayer.