Evening Prayer

SourceBCP p. 115

Daily Evening Prayer:
Rite Two

February 18, 2026

Ash Wednesday

The Officiant begins the service with one or more of the following sentences of Scripture;

or with the Service of Light, and continuing with the appointed Psalmody;

or with the versicle “O God, make speed to save us.”

Lent

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:8, 9

Lent

Rend your hearts and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and repents of evil.Joel 2:13

Lent

I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”Luke 15:18, 19

Lent

Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”Mark 8:34

Lent

To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, because we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord our God by following his laws which he set before us.Daniel 9:9, 10

Evening

Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.Psalm 141:2

Evening

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.Philippians 1:2

Evening

Worship the Lord in the beauty of his holiness; let the whole earth tremble before him.Psalm 96:9

Evening

Yours is the day, O God, yours also the night; you established the moon and the sun. You fixed all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.Psalm 74:15,16

Evening

I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night. I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not fall.Psalm 16:7,8

Evening

Seek him who made the Pleiades and Orion, and turns deep darkness into the morning, and darkens the day into night; who calls for the waters of the sea and pours them out upon the surface of the earth: The Lord is his name.Amos 5:8

Evening

If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night,” darkness is not dark to you, O Lord; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike.Psalm 139:10,11

Evening

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”John 8:12

The following Confession of Sin may then be said; or the Office may continue at once with “O God make speed to save us.”

Confession of Sin

The Officiant says to the people

Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of Almighty God our heavenly Father, to set forth his praise, to hear his holy Word, and to ask, for ourselves and on behalf of others, those things that are necessary for our life and our salvation. And so that we may prepare ourselves in heart and mind to worship him, let us kneel in silence, and with penitent and obedient hearts confess our sins, that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy.

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence may be kept.

Officiant and People together, all kneeling

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

The Priest alone stands and says

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

A deacon or lay person using the preceding form remains kneeling, and substitutes “us” for “you” and “our” for “your.”

The Invitatory and Psalter

All stand

OfficiantO God, make speed to save us.

PeopleO Lord, make haste to help us.

Officiant and People

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

The following, or some other suitable hymn, or an Invitatory Psalm, may be sung or said

O Gracious Light

Phos hilaron

O gracious Light, pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven, O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun, and our eyes behold the vesper light, we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices, O Son of God, O Giver of life, and to be glorified through all the worlds.

Then follows

The Psalm or Psalms Appointed

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Domine, exaudiBCP p. 731

1Lord, hear my prayer, and let my cry come before you; *hide not your face from me in the day of my trouble.

2Incline your ear to me; *when I call, make haste to answer me,

3For my days drift away like smoke, *and my bones are hot as burning coals.

4My heart is smitten like grass and withered, *so that I forget to eat my bread.

5Because of the voice of my groaning *I am but skin and bones.

6I have become like a vulture in the wilderness, *like an owl among the ruins.

7I lie awake and groan; *I am like a sparrow, lonely on a house-top.

8My enemies revile me all day long, *and those who scoff at me have taken an oath against me.

9For I have eaten ashes for bread *and mingled my drink with weeping.

10Because of your indignation and wrath *you have lifted me up and thrown me away.

11My days pass away like a shadow, *and I wither like the grass.

12But you, O Lord, endure for ever, *and your Name from age to age.

13You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to have mercy upon her; *indeed, the appointed time has come.

14For your servants love her very rubble, *and are moved to pity even for her dust.

15The nations shall fear your Name, O Lord, *and all the kings of the earth your glory.

16For the Lord will build up Zion, *and his glory will appear.

17He will look with favor on the prayer of the homeless; *he will not despise their plea.

18Let this be written for a future generation, *so that a people yet unborn may praise the Lord.

19For the Lord looked down from his holy place on high; *from the heavens he beheld the earth;

20That he might hear the groan of the captive *and set free those condemned to die;

21That they may declare in Zion the Name of the Lord, *and his praise in Jerusalem;

22When the peoples are gathered together, *and the kingdoms also, to serve the Lord.

23He has brought down my strength before my time; *he has shortened the number of my days;

24And I said, “O my God, do not take me away in the midst of my days; *your years endure throughout all generations.

25In the beginning, O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, *and the heavens are the work of your hands;

26They shall perish, but you will endure; they all shall wear out like a garment; *as clothing you will change them, and they shall be changed;

27But you are always the same, *and your years will never end.

28The children of your servants shall continue, *and their offspring shall stand fast in your sight.”

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De profundisBCP p. 784

1Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice; *let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.

2If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss, *O Lord, who could stand?

3For there is forgiveness with you; *therefore you shall be feared.

4I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; *in his word is my hope.

5My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, *more than watchmen for the morning.

6O Israel, wait for the Lord, *for with the Lord there is mercy;

7With him there is plenteous redemption, *and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

At the end of the Psalms is sung or said

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

The Lessons

The First Lesson

Jonah 3:1-4:11

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The Word of the Lord.

PeopleThanks be to God.

12

A Song of Creation

Benedicite, omnia opera Domini

Song of the Three Young Men, 35-65

One or more sections of this Canticle may be used. Whatever the selection, it begins with the Invocation and concludes with the Doxology.

Invocation

Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

In the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

I The Cosmic Order

Glorify the Lord, you angels and all powers of the Lord, *O heavens and all waters above the heavens.

Sun and moon and stars of the sky, glorify the Lord, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew, *all winds and fire and heat.

Winter and Summer, glorify the Lord, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O chill and cold, *drops of dew and flakes of snow

Frost and cold, ice and sleet, glorify the Lord, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O nights and days, *O shining light and enfolding dark.

Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

II The Earth and its Creatures

Let the earth glorify the Lord, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O mountains and hills, and all that grows upon the earth, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas, and streams, *O whales and all that move in the waters.

All birds of the air, glorify the Lord, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild, *and all you flocks and herds.

O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

III The People of God

Let the people of God glorify the Lord, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O priests and servants of the Lord, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Glorify the Lord, O spirits and souls of the righteous, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

You that are holy and humble of heart, glorify the Lord, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

Doxology

Let us glorify the Lord: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

In the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord, *praise him and highly exalt him for ever.

The Second Lesson

Luke 18:9-14

A Reading from the Gospel According to Luke.

9 He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted.”

The Word of the Lord.

PeopleThanks be to God.

17

The Song of Simeon

Nunc Dimittis

Luke 2:29-32

Lord, you now have set your servant free *to go in peace as you have promised;

For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *whom you have prepared for all the world to see:

A Light to enlighten the nations, *and the glory of your people Israel.

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

The Apostles’ Creed

Officiant and People together, all standing

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The Prayers

The People stand or kneel

OfficiantThe Lord be with you.

PeopleAnd also with you.

OfficiantLet us pray.

Officiant and People

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

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. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.

Then follows one of these sets of Suffrages

A

V.Show us your mercy, O Lord;

R.And grant us your salvation.

V.Clothe your ministers with righteousness;

R.Let your people sing with joy.

V.Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;

R.For only in you can we live in safety.

V.Lord, keep this nation under your care;

R.And guide us in the way of justice and truth.

V.Let your way be known upon earth;

R.Your saving health among all nations.

V.Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;

R.Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

V.Create in us clean hearts, O God;

R.And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.

B

That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That your holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That there may be peace to your Church and to the whole world,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That we may depart this life in your faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by your Holy Spirit in the communion of [___________ and] all your saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ,
We entreat you, O Lord.

The Officiant then says one or more of the following Collects

Ash Wednesday

Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Collect for Peace

Most holy God, the source of all good desires, all right judgments, and all just works: Give to us, your servants, that peace which the world cannot give, so that our minds may be fixed on the doing of your will, and that we, being delivered from the fear of all enemies, may live in peace and quietness; through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.

A Collect for Aid against Perils

Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Collect for Protection

O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead: We thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Collect for the Presence of Christ

Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake of your love. Amen.

Then, unless the Eucharist or a form of general intercession is to follow, one of these prayers for mission is added

O God and Father of all, whom the whole heavens adore: Let the whole earth also worship you, all nations obey you, all tongues confess and bless you, and men and women everywhere love you and serve you in peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.

O God, you manifest in your servants the signs of your presence: Send forth upon us the spirit of love, that in companionship with one another your abounding grace may increase among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Here may be sung a hymn or anthem.

Authorized intercessions and thanksgivings may follow.

Before the close of the Office one or both of the following may be used

The General Thanksgiving

Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Chrysostom

Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.

Then may be said

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The Officiant may then conclude with one of the following

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.2 Corinthians 13:14

May the God of hope fill us with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.Romans 15:13

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen.Ephesians 3:20,21

✕

A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Jonah.

1 The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, 2 “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” 3 So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth. 6 When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. 7 Then he had a proclamation made in Nineveh: “By the decree of the king and his nobles: No human being or animal, no herd or flock, shall taste anything. They shall not feed, nor shall they drink water. 8 Human beings and animals shall be covered with sackcloth, and they shall cry mightily to God. All shall turn from their evil ways and from the violence that is in their hands. 9 Who knows? God may relent and change his mind; he may turn from his fierce anger, so that we do not perish.” 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it. 1 But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord! Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing. 3 And now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.” 4 And the Lord said, “Is it right for you to be angry?” 5 Then Jonah went out of the city and sat down east of the city, and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, waiting to see what would become of the city. 6 The Lord God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah, to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very happy about the bush. 7 But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the bush, so that it withered. 8 When the sun rose, God prepared a sultry east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint and asked that he might die. He said, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 9 But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the bush?” And he said, “Yes, angry enough to die.” 10 Then the Lord said, “You are concerned about the bush, for which you did not labor and which you did not grow; it came into being in a night and perished in a night. 11 And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?”