Evening Prayer: Wednesday 13 September 2023

Wednesday 13 September 2023

Cyprian of Carthage, Bishop and Marty, 258
Creation Week 2 Authorised by the College of Bishops for Experimental Use

O God, make speed to save us;
O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;* as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.
Amen.

PSALMODY

Antiphon: By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, all that is seen was made from things that are not visible.

Opening (from Isaiah 45.18-24)

For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens
Who formed the earth and made it.
Who did not create it a chaos,
but formed it to be inhabited.
I am the Lord, and there is no other.
I did not speak in secret, in a land of darkness;
I the Lord speak the truth, I declare what is right.
Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth!
For I am God, and there is no other.
From my mouth has gone forth in righteousness, a word that shall not return:
‘To me every knee shall bow,
every tongue shall swear.’

Glory to the Father
or a suitable Hymn

Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength,*
a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved,*
and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;

3 Though its waters rage and foam,*
and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.

4 The Lord of hosts is with us;*
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

5 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,*
the holy habitation of the Most High.

6 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be overthrown;*
God shall help her at the break of day.

7 The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken;*
God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.

8 The Lord of hosts is with us;*
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

9 Come now and look upon the works of the Lord,*
what awesome things he has done on earth.

10 It is he who makes war to cease in all the world;*
he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear,
and burns the shields with fire.

11 ‘Be still, then, and know that I am God;*
I will be exalted among the nations;
I will be exalted in the earth.’

12 The Lord of hosts is with us;*
the God of Jacob is our stronghold.

Glory to the Father…

God our strength, your power is for peace, and the pride of your mighty acts secures the city of the humble. Teach us to put our trust in your salvation, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Conclusion


All you Works of the Lord, bless the Lord :praise and magnify God for ever.O Showers and Dew, bless the Lord : praise and magnify God for ever. O Winds of God, bless the Lord : praise and magnify God for ever. O Fire and Heat, bless the Lord : praise and magnify God for ever. O Winter and Summer, bless the Lord : praise and magnify God for ever. O Frost and Cold, bless the Lord : praise and magnify God for ever. Glory to God, Source of All Being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning is now, and shall be forever, Amen.

Glory to the Father…

Antiphon: By faith we understand that the world was created by the word of God, all that is seen was made from things that are not visible. (Hebrews 11:3)

READING(S)

Matthew 2.1-12

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’ Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’ When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Silence

Response Psalm 33.6

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made.
By God’s breath the heavens were made.
Glory to God, Source of all Being, Eternal Word and Holy Spirit.
By the word of the Lord, the heavens were made.

MAGNIFICAT

Magnificat Antiphon: Send forth your Spirit O Lord And renew the face of the Earth. Psalm 104.1

1 My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
*my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;
2 for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant;*
from this day all generations will call me blessed.
3 The Almighty has done great things for me*
and holy is his name.
4 He has mercy on those who fear him*
in every generation.
5 He has shown the strength of his arm;*
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
6 He has cast down the mighty from their thrones*
and has lifted up the lowly.
7 He has filled the hungry with good things,*
and the rich he has sent away empty.
8 He has come to the help of his servant Israel,*
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
9 the promise he made to our forebears,*
to Abraham and his children for ever.

Glory to the Father... (may be said by all)

Magnificat Antiphon: Send forth your Spirit O Lord And renew the face of the Earth. Psalm 104.1

PRAYERS


Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Do not bring us to the time of trial,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.

Collect of the Day

God the Creator,
in Christ you call all people
to the fullness of glory
for which you created us in your image:
heal our hardened hearts,
renew our obedience to your will,
and conform our lives to your gracious design,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Lord God almighty, come and dispel the darkness from our hearts, that in the radiance of your brightness we may know you, the only unfading light, glorious in all eternity.
Amen.

Let us bless the Lord:
Thanks be to God!

The God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing:
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.