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   Evening Prayer on Friday
     
     
   
Preparation
 
     
    O God, make speed to save us.
All
  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.
    Alleluia.
     
      A Song of Entreaty, or a suitable hymn, may be said or sung
 
   
1
  Hear my prayer, O Lord ,
            and in your faithfulness give ear to my supplications;  • 
      answer me in your righteousness.
 
   
2
  Enter not into judgement with your servant,  •
      for in your sight shall no one living be justified. 
                   
   
3
  My spirit faints within me;  • 
      my heart within me is desolate.
 
   
4
  I stretch out my hands to you;  •     
      my soul gasps for you like a thirsty land.
                   
   
5
  O Lord, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me;  •  
      hide not your face from me
            lest I be like those who go down to the Pit.
                 
   
6
  Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning,
            for in you I put my trust;  •  
      show me the way I should walk in,
            for I lift up my soul to you.    
                   
   
7
  Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God;  • 
      let your kindly spirit lead me on a level path.
                 
   
8
  Revive me, O Lord, for your name's sake;  •
      for your righteousness' sake, bring me out of trouble.
       
     
 Psalm 143.1,2,4,6-8,10,11
 
      This opening prayer may be said       
 
      That this evening may be holy, good and peaceful,
      let us pray with one heart and mind.
 
      Silence is kept.
 
      As our evening prayer rises before you, O God,
      so may your mercy come down upon us
      to cleanse our hearts
      and set us free to sing your praise
      for ever and ever.
   
All
  Amen.
 
 
     
The Word of God
 
 
     
Psalmody
 
 
    The appointed psalmody is said or sung.
 
 
      Each psalm or group of psalms may end with
 
      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.
 
     
New Testament Canticle
 
 
      If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here,
      or both may be read after the New Testament canticle.
 
      A Song of the Justified, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 58 (pages 551-552), may be said or sung
 
      Refrain:
   
All
  Our hope is not in vain,
      because God's love has been poured into our hearts.
         
   
1
  God reckons as righteous those who believe,  •   
      who believe in him who raised Jesus from the dead;
         
   
2
  For Christ was handed over to death for our sins,  •   
      and raised to life for our justification.
         
   
3
  Since we are justified by faith,  •   
      we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
         
   
4
  Through Christ we have gained access
            to the grace in which we stand,  •   
      and rejoice in our hope of the glory of God.
         
   
5
  We even exult in our sufferings,  •    
      for suffering produces endurance,
         
   
6
  And endurance brings hope,  • 
      and our hope is not in vain,
         
   
7
  Because God's love has been poured into our hearts,  •    
      through the Holy Spirit, given to us.
         
   
8
  God proves his love for us:  •  
      while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
          
   
9
  Since we have been justified by his death,  •  
      how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath.
       
   
10
  Therefore, we exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  •  
      in whom we have now received our reconciliation.
     
Romans 4.24,25; 5.1-5,8,9,11
       
      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.
         
   
All
  Our hope is not in vain,
      because God's love has been poured into our hearts.
 
     
Scripture Reading
 
 
    One or more readings appointed for the day are read.
      The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence. 
 
      A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow
 
      O Lord, do not forsake me;
      be not far from me, O my God..
   
All
  O Lord, do not forsake me;
      be not far from me, O my God.
      Make haste to help me,
      O Lord of my salvation.
   
All
  Be not far from me, O my God.
      Glory to the Father, and to the Son
      and to the Holy Spirit.
   
All
  O Lord, do not forsake me;
      be not far from me, O my God.
 
     
Gospel Canticle
 
     
    The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is said or sung
 
  Refrain:
All
  You have scattered the proud in their conceit,
    and lifted up the lowly.
 
1
  My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,    
          my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour;  •  
    he has looked with favour on his lowly servant.
 
2
  From this day all generations will call me blessed;  •  
    the Almighty has done great things for me
          and holy is his name.
     
3
  He has mercy on those who fear him,  •  
    from generation to generation.
 
4
  He has shown strength with his arm  •  
    and has scattered the proud in their conceit,
 
5
  Casting down the mighty from their thrones  •  
    and lifting up the lowly.
 
6
  He has filled the hungry with good things  •  
    and sent the rich away empty.
 
7
  He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,  •  
    to remember his promise of mercy,
 
8
  The promise made to our ancestors,  •  
    to Abraham and his children for ever. 
     
Luke 1.46-55
    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.
   
All
You have scattered the proud in their conceit,
  and lifted up the lowly.
 
 
   
Prayers
 
 
      Thanksgiving may be made for the day.
     
    Intercessions are offered
    for peace
    for individuals and their needs
 
      These responses may be used
 
      Lord, in your mercy        (or)    Lord, hear us.
      hear our prayer.                     Lord, graciously hear us.
 
      The cycle on page 328 and the prayers on pages 332-333 may be used.
 
      Silence may be kept.
 
    The Collect of the day or the following Collect is said
 
    Heal us, O God, from all our afflictions
    and keep us steadfast in your love;
    bind up our wounds,
    raise us from death,
    and lead us to fullness of life;
    through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
All
  Amen.
 
    The Lord's Prayer is said
 
    As our Saviour has taught us, so we pray
     
All
  Our Father in heaven …
     
    (or)
 
    Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
     
All
  Our Father, who art in heaven …
     
     
   
The Conclusion
 
     
All
  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
    and the love of God,
    and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
    be with us all evermore.
    Amen.
 
      Let us bless the Lord.
   
All
  Thanks be to God.
 
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