Evening Prayer

Order of Prayer

The light shines in the darkness; 
and the darkness has not overcome it.
Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.
The glory of God gives your city light, and its lamp is the Lamb.

Almighty and everliving God, in your tender love for the human race you sent your Son our Savior Jesus Christ to take on him our nature and to suffer death on the cross, giving us the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant that we may walk in the way of his suffering and also share in his resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen. (The Gregorian Sacramentary)

"O Christ, You Are the Light and Day" (LBW 273)
Text: Sixth Century Latin Hymn, tr. Isaac Watts & William Copeland; Tune: "Christe, der Du Bist Tag und Licht," J. Klug

O Christ, you are the light and day;
you drive the gloom of night away.
Grant, Light of light, your Word to show
the light of heaven to us below.

Arise, O God, our shield, repel
the darts and subtleties of hell.
Let your right hand outstretched above
guard those who serve the Lord they love.

All holy Lord, in humble prayer
we ask tonight your watchful care
and pray that our repose may be
a quiet night, from perils free.

To God the Father and the Son
and Holy Spirit, Three in One,
be glory in the highest giv'n
by all on earth and all in heav'n!

Readings

• John 1:1-18
• and from Martin Luther on the Godhead

Prayers

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that you would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.