Evening Prayer

A brief TLH evening office for Lutheran homes and parishes (1941)

Begin with quiet reflection, tracing the sign of the holy cross as daylight fades.

Sign of the Holy Cross

In the name of the Father, ✠ and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Opening Versicles

O Lord,
Have mercy upon us.
O Christ,
Have mercy upon us.
O Lord,
Have mercy upon us.

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. Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed

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 Christian Church, the communion of saints; The forgiveness of sins; The resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen.

Evening Versicles

Blessed art Thou, O Lord God of our fathers:
And greatly to be praised and glorified forever.
Bless we the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost:
We praise and magnify Him forever.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven:
And greatly to be praised and glorified and highly exalted forever.
The almighty and merciful Lord bless and preserve us. Amen.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this night:
To keep us without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us:
Have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let Thy mercy be upon us:
As our trust is in Thee.
Hear my prayer, O Lord:
And let my cry come unto Thee.
The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.

Evening Collect

We thank Thee, heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast kept us this day; and we pray Thee that Thou wouldst graciously forgive us all our sins where we have done wrong, and graciously keep us this night. For into Thy hands we commend ourselves, our bodies and souls, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with us that the wicked Foe may have no power over us. Amen.

Bless we the Lord.
Thanks be to God.