EVENING PRAYER

This is the "Order for Evening Prayer" contained within "A Book of Common Prayer for the Methodist," accessible here.

It is appropriate to kneel for the duration of the order if able, and otherwise to stand or sit in a reverent manner.

It is appropriate for this prayer to be said at any time in the evening, though it is recommended that it be said immediately prior to sleep.

O LORD, open our lips, and our mouths shall proclaim Thy praise.

May we, dear GOD, having been sustained this day by Thy almighty grace, be ever-grateful for the many blessings Thou bestows on us undeservingly; and may the meditations of our hearts and minds be pleasing unto Thee. AMEN.

The following Psalm is to be sung:

O sing unto the LORD a new song: for He hath done marvelous things.

With His own right hand, and with His holy arm, hath He gotten Himself the victory.

The LORD declared His salvation: His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the heathen.

He hath remembered His mercy and truth towards the house of Israel; and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our GOD.

Show yourselves joyful unto the LORD, all ye lands, sing, rejoice, and give thanks.

Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is; the round world and they that dwell therein.

Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the LORD: for He cometh to judge the earth.

With righteousness shall He judge the world; and the people with equity.

Glory be to the FATHER, and to the SON, and to the HOLY GHOST, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. AMEN.

It is appropriate to red now either this reading or another from the Scriptures.

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.

A period of spoken or silent prayer on the reading is appropriate. Then the following is to be read:

The sacrifices of GOD are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O GOD, Thou wilt not despise.

A period of prayer of thanksgiving for the day’s bounties is here appropriate, as is a prayer of confession, and prayers for others and oneself. After this period, the OUR FATHER is to be recited, then this prayer is to be read.

O GOD, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; give unto Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey Thy commandments, and also that by Thee 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.

The following hymn is to be sung.

All praise to thee, my GOD, this night,

For all the blessings of the light;

Keep me, O keep me, king of kings,

Beneath Thine own almighty wings.

Forgive me, LORD, for Thy dear SON,

The ills that I this day have done;

That with the world, myself, and Thee

I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.

O may my soul on Thee repose,

And with sweet sleep mine eyelids close;

Sleep that shall me more vig’rous make

To serve my GOD when I awake.

Praise GOD, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise FATHER, SON, and HOLY GHOST. AMEN.