Evening Prayer, Rite II
Monday, September 21, 2026
Saint Matthew, Apostle and EvangelistThe Opening
BCP 115The Officiant begins
I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not fall.The Officiant says
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.Silence may be kept. Officiant and People
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.The Officiant says
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.OfficiantO God, make speed to save us.
PeopleO Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.O Gracious Light
BCP 118O gracious Light,pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!Now as we come to the setting of the sun,and our eyes behold the vesper light,we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,O Son of God, O Giver of life,and to be glorified through all the worlds.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.The Psalms
BCP PsalterPsalm 19 Open exact Psalm ↗
1 The heavens declarethe glory of God, *and the firmament shows his handiwork.2 One day tells its taleto another, *and one night imparts knowledge to another.3 Although they have nowords or language, *and their voices are not heard,4 Their sound has goneout into all lands, *and their message to the ends of the world.5 In the deep has he seta pavilion for the sun; *it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;it rejoices like a champion to run its course.6 It goes forth from theuttermost edge of the heavensand runs about to the end of it again; *nothing is hidden from its burning heat.7 The law of the LORD is perfectand revives the soul; *the testimony of the LORD is sureand gives wisdom to the innocent.8 The statutes of the LORD are justand rejoice the heart; *the commandment of the LORD is clearand gives light to the eyes.9 The fear of the LORD is cleanand endures for ever; *the judgments of the LORD are trueand righteous altogether.10 More to be desired arethey than gold,more than much fine gold, *sweeter far than honey,than honey in the comb.11 By them also is yourservant enlightened, *and in keeping them there is great reward.12 Who can tell how oftenhe offends? *cleanse me from my secret faults.13 Above all, keep yourservant from presumptuous sins;let them not get dominion over me; *then shall I be whole and sound,and innocent of a great offense.14 Let the words of mymouth and the meditation of myheart be acceptable in your sight, *O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.
Psalm 112 Open exact Psalm ↗
1 Hallelujah!Happy are they who fear the Lord *and have great delight in his commandments!2 Their descendants willbe mighty in the land; *the generation of the upright will be blessed.3 Wealth and riches willbe in their house, *and their righteousness will last for ever.4 Light shines in thedarkness for the upright; *the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.5 It is good for them tobe generous in lending *and to manage their affairs with justice.6 For they will never beshaken; *the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.7 They will not beafraid of any evil rumors; *their heart is right;they put their trust in the Lord.8 Their heart isestablished and will not shrink, *until they see their desire upon their enemies.9 They have given freelyto the poor, *and their righteousness stands fast for ever;they will hold up their head with honor.10 The wicked will see itand be angry;they will gnash their teeth and pine away; *the desires of the wicked will perish.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.The Lessons
BCP 118–120Old TestamentIsa 8:11–20 Canticle 11, BCP 87
New TestamentRom 10:1–15 Canticle 15, BCP 91
GospelJob 28:12–28 Canticle 17, BCP 93
The Old Testament Lesson
Isa 8:11–20 NRSVUE ↗
The full text of Isa 8:11–20 was not available automatically. Paste an authorized translation using the service controls before exporting.The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Canticle 11 · The Third Song of Isaiah
Arise, shine, for your light has come, *and the glory of the Lord has dawned upon you.For behold, darkness covers the land; *deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.But over you the Lord will rise, *and his glory will appear upon you.Nations will stream to your light, *and kings to the brightness of your dawning.Your gates will always be open; *by day or night they will never be shut.They will call you, The City of the Lord, *The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.Violence will no more be heard in your land, *ruin or destruction within your borders.You will call your walls, Salvation, *and all your portals, Praise.The sun will no more be your light by day; *by night you will not need the brightness of the moon.The Lord will be your everlasting light, *and your God will be your glory.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.The New Testament Lesson
Rom 10:1–15 NRSVUE ↗
The full text of Rom 10:1–15 was not available automatically. Paste an authorized translation using the service controls before exporting.The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Canticle 15 · The Song of Mary
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.From this day all generations will call me blessed: *the Almighty has done great things for me,and holy is his Name.He has mercy on those who fear him *in every generation.He has shown the strength of his arm, *he has scattered the proud in their conceit.He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *and has lifted up the lowly.He has filled the hungry with good things, *and the rich he has sent away empty.He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *for he has remembered his promise of mercy,The promise he made to our fathers, *to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.The Gospel
Job 28:12–28 NRSVUE ↗
The full text of Job 28:12–28 was not available automatically. Paste an authorized translation using the service controls before exporting.The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Canticle 17 · The Song of Simeon
Lord, you now have set your servant free *to go in peace as you have promised;For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *whom you have prepared for all the world to see:A Light to enlighten the nations, *and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.The Apostles’ Creed
BCP 120Officiant and People together
I believe in God, the Father almighty,creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spiritand born of the Virgin Mary.He suffered under Pontius Pilate,was crucified, died, and was buried.He descended to the dead.On the third day he rose again.He ascended into heaven,and is seated at the right hand of the Father.He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit,the holy catholic Church,the communion of saints,the forgiveness of sins,the resurrection of the body,and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Prayers
BCP 122OfficiantThe Lord be with you.
PeopleAnd also with you.
OfficiantLet us pray.
Officiant and People
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.
Suffrages B
OfficiantThat this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
PeopleWe entreat you, O Lord.
OfficiantThat your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
PeopleWe entreat you, O Lord.
OfficiantThat we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses,
PeopleWe entreat you, O Lord.
OfficiantThat there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world,
PeopleWe entreat you, O Lord.
OfficiantThat we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ,
PeopleWe entreat you, O Lord.
OfficiantThat we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ,
PeopleWe entreat you, O Lord.
The Collects
The Collect for Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
A Collect for Peace
A Collect for Aid against Perils
A Prayer for Mission
Prayer 11 · For the Parish BCP 817
Prayer 25 · For those in the Armed Forces of our Country BCP 823
Prayer 35 · For the Poor and the Neglected BCP 826
Thanksgiving 6 · For Heroic Service BCP 839
The Collect for Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
We thank you, heavenly Father, for the witness of your apostle and evangelist Matthew to the Gospel of your Son our Savior; and we pray that, after his example, we may with ready wills and hearts obey the calling of our Lord to follow him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.A Collect for Peace
Most holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.A Collect for Aid against Perils
Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.A Prayer for Mission
O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Prayer 11 · For the Parish (BCP 817)
Almighty and everliving God, ruler of all things in heaven and earth, hear our prayers for this parish family. Strengthen the faithful, arouse the careless, and restore the penitent. Grant us all things necessary for our common life, and bring us all to be of one heart and mind within your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Prayer 25 · For those in the Armed Forces of our Country (BCP 823)
Almighty God, we commend to your gracious care and keeping all the men and women of our armed forces at home and abroad. Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace; strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Prayer 35 · For the Poor and the Neglected (BCP 826)
Almighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Thanksgiving 6 · For Heroic Service (BCP 839)
O Judge of the nations, we remember before you with grateful hearts the men and women of our country who in the day of decision ventured much for the liberties we now enjoy. Grant that we may not rest until all the people of this land share the benefits of true freedom and gladly accept its disciplines. This we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Thanksgiving for the Social OrderTexts from the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Open BCP Online ↗.
Prayers and Thanksgivings
Prayers and thanksgivings may be offered here.
The General Thanksgiving
BCP 125Officiant and People
Almighty God, Father of all mercies,we your unworthy servants give you humble thanksfor all your goodness and loving-kindnessto us and to all whom you have made.We bless you for our creation, preservation,and all the blessings of this life;but above all for your immeasurable lovein the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,not only with our lips, but in our lives,by giving up ourselves to your service,and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days;through Jesus Christ our Lord,to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
A Prayer of St. John Chrysostom
BCP 126Officiant and People
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name, you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.The Dismissal
BCP 126OfficiantLet us bless the Lord.
PeopleThanks be to God.
The Officiant may conclude
Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.