evening prayer

The congregation sit in silence.

As the Introit is heard, the priest lights the candles on the altar, and a candle in the central sand bowl.

Silence

Priest: Open our lips, O Lord;
All: and we shall declare you praise.

Priest: O God, make speed to save us.
All: O Lord, make haste to help us.

Priest: Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit:
All: as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be for ever.   Amen. 

Priest: Let us praise the Lord.
All: The Lord’s name be praised.

Silence

The Magnificat

All: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord:

my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

Who has looked with favour 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.

God has mercy on those who fear him:

from generation to generation.

The Lord has shown strength with his arm:

and scattered the proud in their conceit,

Casting down the mighty from their thrones:

and lifting up the lowly.

God has filled the hungry with good things:

and sent the rich away empty.

He has come to the aid of his servant Israel:

to remember the promise of mercy,

The promise made to our forebears:

to Abraham and his children for ever.

After the congregation have said the Magnificat together, the Magnificat piece is heard. 

Silence

The Old Testament Reading

Nunc Dimittis

All: Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:

your word has been fulfilled.

My own eyes have seen the salvation: 

which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

A light to reveal you to the nations:

and the glory of your people Israel.

After the congregation have said the Nunc Dimittis together, the Nunc Dimittis piece is heard. 

Silence

Priest:      Lord, have mercy on us.

All: Christ, have mercy on us.

Priest: Lord, have mercy on us.

All: Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven. 

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins

as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial

and deliver us from evil. 

For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours

now and for ever.  

Amen. 

As the Prayers piece is heard, the priest lights incense and a candle. Everyone is welcome to come and light a candle for their prayers.

Silence

The priest says the Collect for the Day

Priest: Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray: 
and in your great mercy 
defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; 
for the love of your only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. 
All: Amen.


Priest: Lord, you have given us grace to agree in these our prayers, 
and you have promised 
that when two or three gather in your name 
you will grant their requests. 
Fulfil now, Lord, our desires and prayers as may be best for us.
 Grant us, in this life, knowledge of your truth 
  and in the age to come, 
life eternal.  
All: Amen.

As the Recessional is heard, the priest extinguishes the candles on the altar.