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  Evening Prayer
    Lent
     
     
   
Preparation
 
     
    O God, make speed to save us.
All
  O Lord, make haste to help us.
     
    Enter not into judgement with your servants;
All
  in your sight shall no one living be justified.
     
    Blessed are you, Lord God of our salvation,
    to you be glory and praise for ever.
    In the darkness of our sin
    you have shone in our hearts
    to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
    in the face of Jesus Christ.
    As we behold your Son, enthroned on the cross,
    stir up in us the fire of your love
    that we may be cleansed from all our sins
    and walk with you as children of light.
    Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
All
  Blessed be God for ever.
     
     
      This, or another suitable hymn, or A Song of Entreaty (canticle number 18, page 511), may be said or sung
 
      Lord Jesus, think on me,                         
        and purge away my sin;
        from earthborn passions set me free,
        and make me pure within.
     
        Lord Jesus, think on me
        with many a care opprest;
        let me thy loving servant be,
        and taste thy promised rest.
     
        Lord Jesus, think on me,
        nor let me go astray;
        through darkness and perplexity
        point thou the heavenly way.
     
        Lord Jesus, think on me,
        that, when the flood is past,
        I may the eternal brightness see,
        and share thy joy at last. 
       
Synesius of Cyrene, tr. A W Chatfield
       
(Tune: SM)
 
 
     
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 Christ the Servant, or another suitable canticle (for example, number 58 (pages 551-552) or number 64 (page 559), may be said or sung
 
        Refrain:
   
All
  Christ committed no sin,
        no guile was found on his lips.
         
   
1
  Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example,  
        that you should follow in his steps.
         
   
2
  He committed no sin, no guile was found on his lips,  
        when he was reviled, he did not revile in turn.
         
   
3
  When he suffered, he did not threaten,  
        but he trusted himself to God who judges justly.
         
   
4
  Christ himself bore our sins in his body on the tree,  
        that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
         
   
5
  By his wounds, you have been healed,
              for you were straying like sheep,  
        but have now returned
              to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. 
       
1 Peter 2.21b-25
        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
  Christ committed no sin,
        no guile was found on his lips.
 
     
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
 
      Forsake me not, O Lord;
      be not far from me, O my God.
   
All
  Forsake me not, O Lord;
      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
  Forsake me not, O Lord;
      be not far from me, O my God.
 
     
Gospel Canticle
 
     
    The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is said or sung
 
  Refrain:
All
  Come, let us return to the Lord,
    for our God will richly pardon.
 
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
  Come, let us return to the Lord,
    for our God will richly pardon.
 
   
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 329 and the prayers on pages 338-339 may be used.
 
      Silence may be kept.
 
    The Collect of the day or the following Collect is said
 
    Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
All
  Amen.
 
    The Lord's Prayer is said
 
    Trusting in the compassion of God,
    as our Saviour has taught us, so we pray
     
All
  Our Father in heaven …
       
    (or)
 
    Trusting in the compassion of God,
    let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
     
All
  Our Father, who art in heaven …
     
     
   
The Conclusion
 
     
  May God our Redeemer show us compassion and love.
All
  Amen.
 
      Let us bless the Lord.
   
All
  Thanks be to God.
 
© The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2004
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