Evening Prayer on Thursday — Thursday, 24 September 2026

Preparation

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

The Blessing of Light (page 110) may replace the Preparation at Evening Prayer on any occasion.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

A prayer of thanksgiving (page 110),

Blessed are you, Lord God, creator of day and night: to you be praise and glory for ever. As darkness falls you renew your promise to reveal among us the light of your presence. By the light of Christ, your living Word, dispel the darkness of our hearts that we may walk as children of light and sing your praise throughout the world. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: Blessed be God for ever.

or a suitable hymn,

or A Song of God’s Chosen One

1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stock of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots.

2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

3 The spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

4 He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear,

5 But with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth.

6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid.

7 The calf, the lion and the fatling together, with a little child to lead them.

8 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 11.1,2,3b-4a,6,9

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.

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 now and for ever. Amen.

The Word of God

Psalmody

The appointed psalmody is said.

Psalm 61

You are my refuge, O God, a strong tower against the enemy.

1 Hear my crying, O God, and listen to my prayer.

2 From the end of the earth I call to you with fainting heart; O set me on the rock that is higher than I.

3 For you are my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

4 Let me dwell in your tent for ever and take refuge under the cover of your wings.

5 For you, O God, will hear my vows; you will grant the request of those who fear your name.

6 You will add length of days to the life of the king, that his years may endure throughout all generations.

7 May he sit enthroned before God for ever; may steadfast love and truth watch over him.

8 So will I always sing praise to your name, and day by day fulfil my vows.

You are my refuge, O God, a strong tower against the enemy.

Risen Christ, as you knew the discipline of suffering and the victory that brings us salvation, so grant us your presence in our weakness and a place in your unending kingdom now and for evermore.

Psalm 62

Wait on God alone in stillness, O my soul.

1 On God alone my soul in stillness waits; from him comes my salvation.

2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, so that I shall never be shaken.

3 How long will all of you assail me to destroy me, as you would a tottering wall or a leaning fence?

4 They plot only to thrust me down from my place of honour; lies are their chief delight; they bless with their mouth, but in their heart they curse.

5 Wait on God alone in stillness, O my soul; for in him is my hope.

6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, so that I shall not be shaken.

7 In God is my strength and my glory; God is my strong rock; in him is my refuge.

8 Put your trust in him always, my people; pour out your hearts before him, for God is our refuge.

9 The peoples are but a breath, the whole human race a deceit; on the scales they are altogether lighter than air.

10 Put no trust in oppression; in robbery take no empty pride; though wealth increase, set not your heart upon it.

11 God spoke once, and twice have I heard the same, that power belongs to God.

12 Steadfast love belongs to you, O Lord, for you repay everyone according to their deeds.

Wait on God alone in stillness, O my soul.

O God, teach us to seek security, not in money or theft, not in human ambition or malice, not in our own ability or power, but in you, the only God, our rock and our salvation.

Psalm 64

The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.

1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from fear of the enemy.

2 Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from the gathering of evildoers.

3 They sharpen their tongue like a sword and aim their bitter words like arrows,

4 That they may shoot at the blameless from hiding places; suddenly they shoot, and are not seen.

5 They hold fast to their evil course; they talk of laying snares, saying, ‘Who will see us?’

6 They search out wickedness and lay a cunning trap, for deep are the inward thoughts of the heart.

7 But God will shoot at them with his swift arrow, and suddenly they shall be wounded.

8 Their own tongues shall make them fall, and all who see them shall wag their heads in scorn.

9 All peoples shall fear and tell what God has done, and they will ponder all his works.

10 The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord and put their trust in him, and all that are true of heart shall exult.

The righteous shall rejoice in the Lord.

Cut through the malice of our hearts, redeeming God, with the Spirit’s sword, wound the pride of our rebellion with the grace that makes righteous and bring near the day of Christ, when love shall reign in joy; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever.

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.

If there are two Scripture readings, the first may be read here, or both may be read after the canticle.

2 Kings 4.25b-37

When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, ‘Look, there is the Shunammite woman; run at once to meet her, and say to her, Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is the child all right?’ She answered, ‘It is all right.’ When she came to the man of God at the mountain, she caught hold of his feet. Gehazi approached to push her away. But the man of God said, ‘Let her alone, for she is in bitter distress; the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.’ Then she said, ‘Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, Do not mislead me?’ He said to Gehazi, ‘Gird up your loins, and take my staff in your hand, and go. If you meet anyone, give no greeting, and if anyone greets you, do not answer; and lay my staff on the face of the child.’ Then the mother of the child said, ‘As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave without you.’ So he rose up and followed her. Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. He came back to meet him and told him, ‘The child has not awakened.’

When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. So he went in and closed the door on the two of them, and prayed to the Lord. Then he got up on the bed and lay upon the child, putting his mouth upon his mouth, his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands; and while he lay bent over him, the flesh of the child became warm. He got down, walked once to and fro in the room, then got up again and bent over him; the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. Elisha summoned Gehazi and said, ‘Call the Shunammite woman.’ So he called her. When she came to him, he said, ‘Take your son.’ She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground; then she took her son and left.

Canticle

Great and Wonderful, or another suitable canticle, for example, number 63 (page 621), may be said

All nations shall come and worship you, O Christ, and share in the feast of your kingdom. Alleluia.

1 Great and wonderful are your deeds, Lord God the Almighty.

2 Just and true are your ways, O ruler of the nations.

3 Who shall not revere and praise your name, O Lord? for you alone are holy.

4 All nations shall come and worship in your presence: for your just dealings have been revealed.

Revelation 15.3, 4

To the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honour and glory and might, for ever and ever. Amen.

All nations shall come and worship you, O Christ, and share in the feast of your kingdom. Alleluia.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

The reading(s) may be followed by a time of silence.

Mark 3.19b-35

Then he went home; and the crowd came together again, so that they could not even eat. When his family heard it, they went out to restrain him, for people were saying, ‘He has gone out of his mind.’ And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, ‘He has Beelzebul, and by the ruler of the demons he casts out demons.’ And he called them to him, and spoke to them in parables, ‘How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but his end has come. But no one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man; then indeed the house can be plundered.

‘Truly I tell you, people will be forgiven for their sins and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit can never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin’— for they had said, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’

Then his mother and his brothers came; and standing outside, they sent to him and called him. A crowd was sitting around him; and they said to him, ‘Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside, asking for you.’ And he replied, ‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ And looking at those who sat around him, he said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.’

A suitable song or chant, or a responsory in this or another form, may follow

Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned. I have called you by name; you are mine. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Fear not, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.

from Isaiah 43

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said, or A Song of Christ’s Appearing (page 621) may be said

You have filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

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.

You have filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.

Prayers

Thanksgiving may be made for the day.

Intercessions are offered for peace for individuals and their needs

Prayers may include the following concerns from the cycle on pages 362–363

Local government, community leaders All who provide local services Those who work with young or elderly people Schools, colleges and universities Emergency and rescue organizations

One of the forms of prayer found on pages 362–371 may be used.

These responses may be used

Lord, in your mercy hear our prayer

(or)

Lord, hear us. Lord, graciously hear us.

Silence may be kept.

The Collect of the day is said

O Lord, we beseech you mercifully to hear the prayers of your people who call upon you; and grant that they may both perceive and know what things they ought to do, and also may have grace and power faithfully to fulfil them; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer is said

As our Saviour taught us, so we pray

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. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

(or)

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us

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, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Conclusion

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. Alleluia, alleluia. Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.

© The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2000–2005 Official Common Worship apps, books and eBooks are available from Church House Publishing.

The Bible readings (other than the psalms) are from The New Revised Standard Version Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Implemented by Simon Kershaw at Crucix. Implementation copyright © Simon Kershaw, 2002–2021.