I will thank the Lord for giving me counsel;
my heart also chastens me in the night season.

I have set the Lord always before me;
he is at my right hand, therefore I shall not fall.

Psalm 16:8-9

FOR SUBMISSION TO GOD’S WILL

O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore you. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that you desire of me and to accept all that you permit to happen to me. Let me only know your will. Amen.

Joseph Mercier

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.

MAGNIFICAT | THE SONG OF MARY

My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
For he has regarded
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold, from now on,
all generations will call me blessed;
For he that is mighty has magnified me,
and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on those who fear him,
throughout all generations.
He has shown the strength of his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has brought down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the humble and meek.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent empty away.
He, remembering his mercy, has helped his servant Israel,
as he promised to our fathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.

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.

LUKE 1:46-55

THE SECOND LESSON

Read a New Testament passage from Acts through Revelation.

NUNC DIMITTIS | THE SONG OF SIMEON

Lord, now let your servant depart in peace,
according to your word.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and to be the glory of your people Israel.

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.

LUKE 2:29-32

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 10 | Fourth SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY

Let your merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of your humble servants; and, that we may receive what we ask, teach us by your Holy Spirit to ask only those things that are pleasing to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the same Spirit lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.

July 15 | Olga and Vladimir, Patrons of the Church in Russia, 969, 1016

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.

July 17 | William White, Bishop of Pennsylvania and First Primate of the Church in the USA, 1836

O God, our heavenly Father, you raised up your faithful servant William White to be Bishop and pastor in your Church and to feed your flock: Give abundantly to all pastors the gifts of your Holy Spirit, that they may minister in your household as true servants of Christ and stewards of your divine mysteries; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

July 18 | Macrina, Nun and Teacher of the Faith, 379

O God, your blessed Son became poor for our sake, and chose the Cross over the kingdoms of this world: Deliver us from an inordinate love of worldly things, that we, inspired by the devotion of your servant Macrina, may seek you with singleness of heart, behold your glory by faith, and attain to the riches of your everlasting kingdom, where we shall be united with our Saviour Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

July 19 | Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa and Teacher of the Faith, 396

Almighty God, you gave your servant Gregory of Nyssa 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.

The Collect of the Day

Thursday | for the Presence of Christ

Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. 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 ALL MISSIONARIES

O God, you desire that all people be saved and come to knowledge of the truth: Prosper all those who live, preach, and teach the Gospel at home and in distant lands; protect them in all perils, support them in their loneliness, sustain them in the hour of trial; give them your abundant grace to bear faithful witness; and endue them with burning zeal and love, that they may turn many to righteousness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR OUR NATION

Almighty God, who have given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech you that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of your favour and glad to do your will. Bless our land with honourable industry, sound learning, and pure conduct. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in your Name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES, AND UNIVERSITIES 

Almighty God, by your gift alone we come to wisdom and true understanding: Look with favour, we pray, on our universities, colleges, and schools, that knowledge may be increased among us, and wholesome learning flourish and abound. Bless those who teach and those who learn; and grant that in humility of heart they may ever look to you, the fountain of all wisdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

FOR THE UNREPENTANT

Merciful God, you desire not the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn to you and live; and through your only Son you have revealed yourself as the God who pardons iniquity. Have mercy on the unrepentant and those who do not believe [especially _____]. Awaken in them, by your Word and Holy Spirit, a deep sense of their sinfulness and peril. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word. Grant them to know and feel that there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which they must be saved, but only the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so bring them home and number them among your children, that they may be yours for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS

O eternal Lord God, you hold all souls in life: Shed forth upon your whole Church in Paradise and on earth the bright beams of your light and heavenly comfort; and grant that we, following the good example of those who have loved and served you here and are now at rest, may enter with them into the fullness of your unending joy; 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

Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the silent hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting life may rest in your eternal changelessness; 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.

A THANKSGIVING PRAYER

Accept, O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us.

We thank you for the splendour of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love. We thank you for the blessing of family and friends, and for the loving care which surrounds us on every side. We thank you for setting us at tasks that demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments that satisfy and delight us. We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone.

Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he conquered death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom. Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know Christ and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. 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.