Pause to be still. Take a few deep breaths. Focus on the presence of God. Consider using a Breath Prayer to become centered in Jesus. Play some devotional music. Remember that though night quickly falls, and death comes to all, Christ is the Light of the world, and holds the keys of Death and Hades.
OPENING SENTENCE(S)
Say one or more of these verses.
- The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. Habakkuk 2:20
- You, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name; do not leave us. Jeremiah 14:9
- Let my prayer be counted as incense before you, and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice! Psalm 141:2
- I remember your name in the night, O Lord, and keep your law. Psalm 119:55
- His anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 141:2
- Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith. 1 Peter 5:8–9
- Stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. Mark 13:35–36
- Come to me, says the Lord, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28–30
THE INVITATORY
O LORD, open our lips;
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us;
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
HYMN OR CANTICLE
Choose one or more to say or sing. A candle may be lit.
- Phos Hilaron: O Gladsome Light (text below)
- Magnificat: The Song of Mary (Luke 1:46–55)
- Cantate Domino: Sing to the Lord (Psalm 98)
- Nunc Dimittis: The Song of Simeon (Luke 2:29–32)
- Deus Misereatur: God Have Mercy (Psalm 67)
- Abide with Me
- Be Still, My Soul! The Lord Is on Thy Side
- A seasonal hymn
O gladsome 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.
PSALM
Read or sing an appointed Psalm or one of the Evening Psalms: Psalm 4, 31, 91, 134, 13, 121, 16, 17, 77. After the Psalm, say the Gloria Patri.
SCRIPTURE LESSON(S)
Read a portion of the New Testament and/or Old Testament. Before the lesson(s), a seasonal Collect or Prayer for Illumination may be said.
APOSTLES’ CREED
On holy days, say the Athanasian 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 Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary: Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was buried: He descended to the dead: On the third day he rose again from the dead: He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father: From there he will come 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.
ADDITIONAL EXERCISES
Say the same catechism question every day until it is memorized. Observe holy days with devotional resources. Then say,
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Let us pray.
LORD’S PRAYER
OUR Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your 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 yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
FURTHER PRAYERS
Add your own prayers.
COLLECT
Say the Collect for Peace or the Collect for Aid Against All Peril.
O God, you are the source of all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works. Give to your servants that peace which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to obey your commandments, and that we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
O Lord, lighten our darkness, and by 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.
CONCLUSION
In corporate prayer, say the prayer of John Chrysostom and a benediction.
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord, to make our common supplications unto you; and you have promised that when two or three are gathered together in your name, you will grant their requests. Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of your servants, as may be best for us, granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all evermore. Amen.