You are in: Home » Prayer » CofE Daily Offices » Traditional Language (Book of Common Prayer) » Evening Prayer

12.32am on Friday 4 September 2026

Evening Prayer (Evensong) in Traditional Language

View the service for yesterday | today | tomorrow

Please note: Daily Prayer provided by the official Church of England web site, © The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2002-2004.

    Evening Prayer from
    The Book of Common Prayer
    Friday, 4 September 2026
  The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
  Introduction
   
  The minister may use a seasonal sentence before using one or more of the penitential sentences.
   
  The minister introduces the service
     
    Dearly beloved [brethren],
    the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge
       and confess our manifold sins and wickedness;
     
    [and that we should not dissemble nor cloak them before
       the face of almighty God our heavenly Father;
    but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent and
       obedient heart;
    to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same
       by his infinite goodness and mercy.
    And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge
       our sins before God;
    yet ought we most chiefly so to do,
    when we assemble and meet together
    to render thanks for the great benefits that we have
       received at his hands,
    to set forth his most worthy praise,
    to hear his most holy word,
    and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary,
    as well for the body as the soul.]
     
    Wherefore I pray and beseech you,
    as many as are here present,
    to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice,
    unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying [after me]:
     
    (or)
     
    Beloved, we are come together in the presence of almighty God and of the whole company of heaven to offer unto him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of God's love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of his grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.
     
    Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember God's presence with us now.
   
All
   Almighty and most merciful Father,
    we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
    We have followed too much the devices and desires
       of our own hearts.
    We have offended against thy holy laws.
    We have left undone those things
       which we ought to have done;
    and we have done those things
         which we ought not to have done;
    and there is no health in us.
    But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
    Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.
    Restore thou them that are penitent;
    according to thy promises declared unto mankind
       in Christ Jesu our Lord.
    And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
    that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
    to the glory of thy holy name.
  Amen.
   
  A priest says
     
    Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    who desireth not the death of a sinner,
    but rather that he may turn from his wickedness and live;
    and hath given power, and commandment, to his ministers
    to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent,
    the absolution and remission of their sins:
    he pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent
       and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel.
    Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance,
       and his Holy Spirit,
    that those things may please him which we do at this present;
    and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure and holy;
    so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
   
  or other ministers may say
     
    Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord,
    to thy faithful people pardon and peace,
    that they may be cleansed from all their sins,
    and serve thee with a quiet mind;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
   
All
   Our Father, which art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done,
    in earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses,
  as we forgive them that trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation;
    but deliver us from evil.
    For thine is the kingdom,
    the power and the glory,
    for ever and ever.
    Amen.
  Evening Prayer
     
    The introduction to the service is used on Sundays, and may be used on any occasion. If the Introduction is not used, the service begins with the opening responses.
     
    These responses are used
     
    O Lord, open thou our lips
All
   and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
     
    O God, make speed to save us.
All
   O Lord, make haste to help us.
     
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son,
    and to the Holy Ghost;
All
   as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,
    world without end. Amen.
     
    Praise ye the Lord.
All
   The Lord's name be praised.
     
  Psalmody  
   

Psalm 22

  
 

  
1
 My God, my God, look upon me; why hast thou forsaken me *
 and art so far from my health, and from the words of my complaint?
  
 
  
2
 O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not *
 and in the night-season also I take no rest.
  
 
  
3
 And thou continuest holy *
 O thou worship of Israel.
  
 
  
4
 Our fathers hoped in thee *
 they trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them.
  
 
  
5
 They called upon thee, and were holpen *
 they put their trust in thee, and were not confounded.
  
 
  
6
 But as for me, I am a worm, and no man *
 a very scorn of men, and the out-cast of the people.
  
 
  
7
 All they that see me laugh me to scorn *
 they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads, saying,
  
 
  
8
 He trusted in God, that he would deliver him *
 let him deliver him, if he will have him.
  
 
  
9
 But thou art he that took me out of my mother’s womb *
 thou wast my hope, when I hanged yet upon my mother’s breasts.
  
 
  
10
 I have been left unto thee ever since I was born *
 thou art my God even from my mother’s womb.
  
 
  
11
 O go not from me, for trouble is hard at hand *
 and there is none to help me.
  
 
  
12
 Many oxen are come about me *
 fat bulls of Basan close me in on every side.
  
 
  
13
 They gape upon me with their mouths *
 as it were a ramping and a roaring lion.
  
 
  
14
 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint *
 my heart also in the midst of my body is even like melting wax.
  
 
  
15
 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaveth to my gums *
 and thou shalt bring me into the dust of death.
  
 
  
16
 For many dogs are come about me *
 and the council of the wicked layeth siege against me.
  
 
  
17
 They pierced my hands and my feet; I may tell all my bones *
 they stand staring and looking upon me.
  
 
  
18
 They part my garments among them *
 and cast lots upon my vesture.
  
 
  
19
 But be not thou far from me, O Lord *
 thou art my succour, haste thee to help me.
  
 
  
20
 Deliver my soul from the sword *
 my darling from the power of the dog.
  
 
  
21
 Save me from the lion’s mouth *
 thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the unicorns.
  
 
  
22
 I will declare thy Name unto my brethren *
 in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
  
 
  
23
 O praise the Lord, ye that fear him *
 magnify him, all ye of the seed of Jacob, and fear him, all ye seed of Israel;
  
 
  
24
 For he hath not despised, nor abhorred, the low estate of the poor *
 he hath not hid his face from him, but when he called unto him he heard him.
  
 
  
25
 My praise is of thee in the great congregation *
 my vows will I perform in the sight of them that fear him.
  
 
  
26
 The poor shall eat, and be satisfied *
 they that seek after the Lord shall praise him; your heart shall live for ever.
  
 
  
27
 All the ends of the world shall remember themselves, and be turned unto the Lord *
 and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before him.
  
 
  
28
 For the kingdom is the Lord’s *
 and he is the Governor among the people.
  
 
  
29
 All such as be fat upon earth *
 have eaten, and worshipped.
  
 
  
30
 All they that go down into the dust shall kneel before him *
 and no man hath quickened his own soul.
  
 
  
31
 My seed shall serve him *
 they shall be counted unto the Lord for a generation.
  
 
  
32
 They shall come, and the heavens shall declare his righteousness *
 unto a people that shall be born, whom the Lord hath made.
  
 

Psalm 23

  
 

  
1
 The Lord is my shepherd *
 therefore can I lack nothing.
  
 
  
2
 He shall feed me in a green pasture *
 and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
  
 
  
3
 He shall convert my soul *
 and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for his Name’s sake.
  
 
  
4
 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death , I will fear no evil *
 for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
  
 
  
5
 Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me *
 thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
  
 
  
6
 But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life *
 and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
  
 
     
    At the end of each psalm these words are said or sung
     
    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.
     
    Old Testament Reading  
 
   

First Reading: Zechariah 1.18 - end of 2

Then lifted I up mine eyes, and saw, and behold four horns.
 And I said unto the angel that talked with me, What be these? And he answered me, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.
 And the Lord shewed me four carpenters.
 Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.

 

I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.

Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.
 And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,
 And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:
 For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.
 Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the Lord: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the Lord.
 Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
 For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
 For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me.
 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.
 And many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the Lord of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
 And the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
 Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

       
  Magnificat  
     
    Either the Magnificat (as follows) or Cantate Domino (Psalm 98) is said or sung.
     
1
   My soul doth magnify the Lord :
    and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
     
2
   For he hath regarded :
    the lowliness of his handmaiden.
     
3
   For behold, from henceforth :
    all generations shall call me blessed.
     
4
   For he that is mighty hath magnified me :
    and holy is his Name.
     
5
   And his mercy is on them that fear him :
    throughout all generations.
     
6
   He hath shewed strength with his arm :
    he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
     
7
   He hath put down the mighty from their seat :
    and hath exalted the humble and meek.
     
8
   He hath filled the hungry with good things :
    and the rich he hath sent empty away.
     
9
   He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel :
    as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
   
Luke 1.46-55
     
    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.
     
  New Testament Reading  
 
   

Second Reading: Mark 9.14-29

When Jesus came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them.
 And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him.
 And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them?
 And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit;
 And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.
 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.
 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him.
 And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead.
 But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.
 And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?
 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

     
  Nunc dimittis  
     
    Either the Nunc dimittis (as follows) or Deus misereatur (Psalm 67) is said or sung.
     
1
   Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace :
    according to thy word.
     
2
   For mine eyes have seen :
    thy salvation;
     
3
   Which thou hast prepared :
    before the face of all people;
     
4
   To be a light to lighten the Gentiles :
    and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
   
Luke 2.29-32
     
    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.
     
  The Apostles' Creed  
     
All
   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 Ghost,
    born of the Virgin Mary,
    suffered under Pontius Pilate,
    was crucified, dead, and buried.
    He descended into hell;
    the third day he rose again from the dead;
    he ascended into heaven,
    and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty;
    from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost;
    the holy catholic Church;
    the communion of saints;
    the forgiveness of sins;
    the resurrection of the body,
    and the life everlasting.
    Amen.
     
  Prayers  
     
    The Lord be with you.
All
   And with thy spirit.
     
    Let us pray.
     
    Lord, have mercy upon us.
All
   Christ, have mercy upon us.
    Lord, have mercy upon us.
     
All
   Our Father, which art in heaven,
    hallowed be thy name;
    thy kingdom come;
    thy will be done,
    in earth as it is in heaven.
    Give us this day our daily bread.
    And forgive us our trespasses,
    as we forgive them that trespass against us.
    And lead us not into temptation;
    but deliver us from evil. Amen.
     
    O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us.
All
   And grant us thy salvation.
     
    O Lord, save the King.
All
   And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
     
    Endue thy ministers with righteousness.
All
   And make thy chosen people joyful.
     
    O Lord, save thy people.
All
   And bless thine inheritance.
     
    Give peace in our time, O Lord.
All
   Because there is none other that fighteth for us,
    but only thou, O God.
     
    O God, make clean our hearts within us.
All
   And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
     
    Three Collects are said.
     
  The Collect of the Day  
     
    Almighty and merciful God, of whose only gift it cometh that thy faithful people do unto thee true and laudable service; Grant, we beseech thee, that we may so faithfully serve thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain thy heavenly promises; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
   Amen.
     
     
  The Collect for Peace  
     
    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 Saviour.
All
   Amen.
     
  The Collect for Aid against all Perils  
     
    Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord;
    and by thy great mercy defend us
         from all perils and dangers of this night;
    for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
All
   Amen.
     
    The order for the end of the service may include:
     
    hymns or anthems
       a sermon
    further prayers (which may include prayers from here)
     
    This prayer may be used to conclude the service
     
    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    and the love of God,
    and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost,
    be with us all evermore.
All
   Amen.
     
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
All of the official Common Worship publications are available from Church House Publishing.

Implemented by Simon Kershaw at Crucix.
Implementation copyright © Simon Kershaw, 2002-2020.

After Sunday is a registered charity, number 1128086. Website development by Hiltonian Media.