O Lord, let our prayer be set forth in your sight as the incense,
And the lifting up of our hands as an evening sacrifice.

FOR GRACE TO SEEK GOD IN EVERY WAY

Gracious and holy Father, please give me intellect to understand you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you, a heart to meditate upon you, ears to hear you, eyes to see you, a tongue to proclaim you, a way of life pleasing to you, patience to wait for you, and perseverance to look for you. Grant me a perfect end, your holy presence, a blessed resurrection, and life everlasting. Amen.

Benedict of Nursia

PREPARATION FOR PERSONAL PRAYER

Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, we cannot pray without your aid:

Kindle in us the fire of your love, and illumine us with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts we may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

Let us pray:

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven;
Hallowed be your Name;
Your kingdom come;
Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today 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 the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.
Amen.

For Intimacy With The Son

Lord Jesus Christ, as I surrender to you as Lord of my life, draw me ever closer to you. Show me where I may harbour resistance to your lordship and rejection of your will. Bring me into the greater joy of the abundant life that you desire for me, now and forever; through your holy Name. Amen.

Confession of Sin

Let us confess our sins to Almighty God:

O Almighty Father, Lord of heaven and earth, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. Have mercy upon us, O Lord; have mercy upon us after your great goodness. According to the multitude of your mercies do away our offences. Wash us thoroughly from our wickedness, and cleanse us from our sins. For Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
 

For Pardon through the Cross

Almighty Father, who of your great love gave your dearly beloved Son to die for us: Grant that through his Cross our sins may be put away, and remembered no more against us, and that, cleansed by his Blood, and mindful of his sufferings, we may take up our cross daily, and follow him in newness of life, until we come to his everlasting kingdom; through the same your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For INtimacy With The Spirit

Almighty God, thank you for giving me new life in Jesus Christ. I ask you to fill me afresh with your Holy Spirit. Bring forth in me the goodness and love of Jesus. Empower me to serve you in faith and obedience to Christ, that I may always live for your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PHOS HILARON | O Gladsome Light

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.

THE PSALMS OF THE DAY

Read or chant the Psalms of the Day:

Let us prepare our hearts to hear from God’s Word:

FOR INNER RENEWAL THROUGH THE WORD

Gracious God and most merciful Father, who have granted us the rich and precious jewel of your holy Word: Assist us with your Spirit, that the same Word may be written in our hearts to our everlasting comfort, to reform us, to renew us according to your own image, to build us up and edify us into the perfect dwelling place of your Christ, sanctifying and increasing in us all heavenly virtues; grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

THE FIRST LESSON

Read an Old Testament passage from Proverbs through Malachi.

MAGNA ET MIRABILIA | The Song of the Redeemed

O ruler of the universe, Lord God,
great deeds are they that you have done,
    surpassing human understanding.

Your ways are ways of righteousness and truth,
O King of all the ages.

Who can fail to do you homage, Lord,
and sing the praises of your Name?

For you only are the Holy One.

All nations will draw near and fall down before you,
because your just and holy works have been revealed.

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.

REVELATION 15:3-4

The Second Lesson

Read a New Testament passage from Acts through Revelation.

SURGE, ILLUMINARE
Arise, shine, for your light has come

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 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.

ISAIAH 60:1-3, 11, 14, 18-19

Hymns

Select a few hymns to sing, either by Topic or Scripture.

Bible Study

Meditate on the Scripture passages you’ve just read, then take the time to read through the notes in your Study Bible / Library panel or use an Expository Commentary to ensure you’ve understood God’s Word to you this evening.

The Summary of the Law

Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 22:37-40

Lord, have mercy upon us,
and write both these, your laws, in our hearts, we beseech you.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God,
     the Father, the Almighty,
     maker of heaven and earth,
     of all that is, visible and invisible. 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God,
     eternally begotten of the Father, 
     God from God, Light from Light, 
     true God from true God, 
     begotten, not made, 
     of one Being with the Father;
     through him all things were made.
     For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
     was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
     and was made man.
     For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
     he suffered death and was buried.
     On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
     he ascended into heaven
     and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
     He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
     and his kingdom will have no end. 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
     who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
     who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
     who has spoken through the prophets.
     We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
     We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
     We look for the resurrection of the dead,
     and the life of the world to come.

Amen.

The Catechism

Read or listen to a selection of questions and answers from
To Be A Christian: An Anglican Catechism.

Theology & Church History

Delve into further Christian resources in order to know God more deeply and to be inspired by the lives of the saints who’ve gone before us.

Let us continue in prayer:

The Collects of the Week
 

PROPER 11 | Fifth SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

O God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing mercy and pity: Grant us the fullness of your grace, that we, running to obtain your promises, may become partakers of your heavenly treasure; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

July 20 | Margaret of Antioch, Martyr, 4th c.

Almighty God, you gave your servant Margaret of Antioch boldness to confess the Name of our Saviour Jesus Christ before the rulers of this world, and courage to die for this faith: Grant that we may always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us, and to suffer gladly for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

July 22 | Mary Magdalene

Almighty God, whose blessed Son restored Mary Magdalene to health of body and of mind, and called her to be a witness of his resurrection: Mercifully grant that, by your grace, we may be healed from all our infirmities and know you in the power of his unending life; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

July 24 | Thomas à Kempis, Priest and Teacher of the Faith, 1471

Almighty God, you gave your servant Thomas à Kempis special gifts of grace to understand and teach the truth revealed in Christ Jesus: Grant that by this teaching we may know you, the one true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

July 25 | James the Elder, Apostle

O gracious God, your servant and apostle James was first among the Twelve to suffer martyrdom for the Name of Jesus Christ: Pour out upon the leaders of your Church that spirit of self-denying service, by which they may have true authority among your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

July 26 | The Parents of the Virgin Mary

Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy; for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Collect of the Day

Monday | for Peace

O God, 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 Saviour. Amen.

Listen for God’s Guidance

Spend time in quiet reflection and actively listen for the Holy Spirit’s gentle promptings, finding a sense of peace and clarity, while also discerning alignment with Holy Scripture and the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

For Relatives and Friends

Starting with open intercessions for our family and community, and then:

O Loving Father, we commend to your gracious keeping all who are near and dear to us. Have mercy upon any who are sick, and comfort those who are in pain, anxiety or sorrow.

Awaken all who are careless about eternal things. Bless those who are young and in health, that they may give the days of their strength to you. Comfort the aged and infirm, that your peace may rest upon them.

Hallow the ties of kindred, that we may help, and not hinder, one another in all such good works as you have prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR CHURCH MUSICIANS AND ARTISTS

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants on earth who seek through art and music to perfect the praises of your people. Grant them even now true glimpses of your beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR THE PEACE OF THE WORLD

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

FOR THOSE WITH CHRONIC DISEASE

Heavenly Father, sustainer of our life and source of our hope: Comfort and relieve all who endure long-term illness or persistent handicap. Give your grace to all who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through him who knows our weakness and has shared our sorrows, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR THE CARE OF CHILDREN

Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom so to train them, that they may love all that is true, and pure, and lovely, and of good report, following the example of their Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

FOR WATCHFULNESS

You, who with your own mouth have told us that at midnight the bridegroom shall come: Grant that the cry, “The bridegroom comes!” may sound evermore in our ears, that so we be never unprepared to meet him, or forgetful of the souls for whom he died, for whom we watch and pray. And save us, O Lord. Amen.

Lancelot Andrewes

For Mission

O God, you manifest in your servants the signs of your presence: Send forth upon us the Spirit of love, that in companionship with one another your abounding grace may increase among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For Freedom from Worry

O Lord, you have pity for all our weakness: Put away from us worry and every anxious fear, that, having ended the labours of the day in your sight, and committing our tasks, ourselves, and all we love into your keeping, we may, now that night has come, receive from you your priceless gift of sleep; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Collect for Protection

Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

AT NIGHT

O Lord, support us all the day long through this trouble-filled life, until the shadows lengthen, and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then in your mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.

FOR GUIDANCE

Go before us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favour, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, through your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thanksgiving

O most merciful Father, we humbly thank you for all your gifts so freely bestowed upon us. For life and health and safety, for power to work and leisure to rest, for all that is beautiful in creation and in our lives, we praise and magnify your holy Name.

But, above all, we thank you for our spiritual mercies in Christ Jesus our Lord, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. Fill our hearts with all joy and peace in believing; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Doxology

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.

EPHESIANS 3:20-21

The Commendation

The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night, and at the last a perfect end.

And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with us this night, and for evermore. Amen.