Evening Prayer — from All Saints’ Day until — the day before the First Sunday of Advent — Monday, 2 November 2026 — Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) [Lesser Festival]

Preparation

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

Your faithful servants bless you. They make known the glory of your kingdom. Alleluia.

One or more of the following is said or sung:

this or another prayer of thanksgiving

Blessed are you, Sovereign God, our light and our salvation, to you be glory and praise for ever. Now, as darkness is falling, wash away our transgressions, cleanse us by your refining fire and make us temples of your Holy Spirit. By the light of Christ, dispel the darkness of our hearts and make us ready to enter your kingdom, where songs of praise for ever sound. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Blessed be God for ever.

A Song of Tobit (page 596), the following or another suitable hymn

Give me the wings of faith to rise within the veil, and see the saints above, how great their joys, how bright their glories be.

Once they were mourning here below, and wet their couch with tears; they wrestled hard, as we do now, with sins and doubts and fears.

I ask them whence their victory came: they, with united breath, ascribe their conquest to the Lamb, their triumph to his death.

They marked the footsteps that he trod, his zeal inspired their breast, and, following their incarnate God, possess the promised rest.

Our glorious Leader claims our praise for his own pattern given; while the long cloud of witnesses show the same path to heaven.

Isaac Watts (Tune: CM)

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 92

You, O Lord, shall be exalted for evermore.

1 It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord ♦ and to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

2 To tell of your love early in the morning ♦ and of your faithfulness in the night-time,

3 Upon the ten-stringed instrument, upon the harp, ♦ and to the melody of the lyre.

4 For you, Lord, have made me glad by your acts, ♦ and I sing aloud at the works of your hands.

5 O Lord, how glorious are your works! ♦ Your thoughts are very deep.

6 The senseless do not know, ♦ nor do fools understand,

7 That though the wicked sprout like grass ♦ and all the workers of iniquity flourish,

8 It is only to be destroyed for ever; ♦ but you, O Lord, shall be exalted for evermore.

9 For lo, your enemies, O Lord, lo, your enemies shall perish, ♦ and all the workers of iniquity shall be scattered.

10 But my horn you have exalted like the horns of wild oxen; ♦ I am anointed with fresh oil.

11 My eyes will look down on my foes; ♦ my ears shall hear the ruin of the evildoers who rise up against me.

12 The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, ♦ and shall spread abroad like a cedar of Lebanon.

13 Such as are planted in the house of the Lord ♦ shall flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They shall still bear fruit in old age; ♦ they shall be vigorous and in full leaf;

15 That they may show that the Lord is true; ♦ he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.

You, O Lord, shall be exalted for evermore.

Give us the music of your praise, Lord, morning, noon and night, that our lives may be fruitful and our lips confess you as the true and only God.

Psalm 96

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

1 Sing to the Lord a new song; ♦ sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Sing to the Lord and bless his name; ♦ tell out his salvation from day to day.

3 Declare his glory among the nations ♦ and his wonders among all peoples.

4 For great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; ♦ he is more to be feared than all gods.

5 For all the gods of the nations are but idols; ♦ it is the Lord who made the heavens.

6 Honour and majesty are before him; ♦ power and splendour are in his sanctuary.

7 Ascribe to the Lord, you families of the peoples; ♦ ascribe to the Lord honour and strength.

8 Ascribe to the Lord the honour due to his name; ♦ bring offerings and come into his courts.

9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; ♦ let the whole earth tremble before him.

10 Tell it out among the nations that the Lord is king. ♦ He has made the world so firm that it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.

11 Let the heavens rejoice and let the earth be glad; ♦ let the sea thunder and all that is in it;

12 Let the fields be joyful and all that is in them; ♦ let all the trees of the wood shout for joy before the Lord.

13 For he comes, he comes to judge the earth; ♦ with righteousness he will judge the world and the peoples with his truth.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

Lord God, you draw us by your beauty and transform us by your holiness; let our worship echo all creation’s praise and declare your glory to the nations; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 97

You, Lord, are most high over all the earth.

1 The Lord is king: let the earth rejoice; ♦ let the multitude of the isles be glad.

2 Clouds and darkness are round about him; ♦ righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him ♦ and burns up his enemies on every side.

4 His lightnings lit up the world; ♦ the earth saw it and trembled.

5 The mountains melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, ♦ at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

6 The heavens declared his righteousness ♦ and all the peoples have seen his glory.

7 Confounded be all who worship carved images and delight in mere idols. ♦ Bow down before him, all you gods.

8 Zion heard and was glad, and the daughters of Judah rejoiced, ♦ because of your judgements, O Lord.

9 For you, Lord, are most high over all the earth; ♦ you are exalted far above all gods.

10 The Lord loves those who hate evil; ♦ he preserves the lives of his faithful and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

11 Light has sprung up for the righteous ♦ and joy for the true of heart.

12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, ♦ and give thanks to his holy name.

You, Lord, are most high over all the earth.

Most high and holy God, enthroned in fire and light, burn away the dross of our lives and kindle in us the fire of your love, that our lives may reveal the light and life we find in your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

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.

Esther 3.1-11; 4.7-17

After these things King Ahasuerus promoted Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him and set his seat above all the officials who were with him. And all the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate bowed down and did obeisance to Haman; for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai did not bow down or do obeisance. Then the king’s servants who were at the king’s gate said to Mordecai, ‘Why do you disobey the king’s command?’ When they spoke to him day after day and he would not listen to them, they told Haman, in order to see whether Mordecai’s words would avail; for he had told them that he was a Jew. When Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or do obeisance to him, Haman was infuriated. But he thought it beneath him to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, having been told who Mordecai’s people were, Haman plotted to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus.

In the first month, which is the month of Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur—which means ‘the lot’—before Haman for the day and for the month, and the lot fell on the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month of Adar. Then Haman said to King Ahasuerus, ‘There is a certain people scattered and separated among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not appropriate for the king to tolerate them. If it pleases the king, let a decree be issued for their destruction, and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who have charge of the king’s business, so that they may put it into the king’s treasuries.’ So the king took his signet ring from his hand and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the enemy of the Jews. The king said to Haman, ‘The money is given to you, and the people as well, to do with them as it seems good to you.’ and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, and the exact sum of money that Haman had promised to pay into the king’s treasuries for the destruction of the Jews. Mordecai also gave him a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for their destruction, that he might show it to Esther, explain it to her, and charge her to go to the king to make supplication to him and entreat him for her people.

Hathach went and told Esther what Mordecai had said. Then Esther spoke to Hathach and gave him a message for Mordecai, saying, ‘All the king’s servants and the people of the king’s provinces know that if any man or woman goes to the king inside the inner court without being called, there is but one law—all alike are to be put to death. Only if the king holds out the golden sceptre to someone, may that person live. I myself have not been called to come in to the king for thirty days.’ When they told Mordecai what Esther had said, Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, ‘Do not think that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silence at such a time as this, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another quarter, but you and your father’s family will perish. Who knows? Perhaps you have come to royal dignity for just such a time as this.’ Then Esther said in reply to Mordecai, ‘Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.’ Mordecai then went away and did everything as Esther had ordered him.

Canticle

The following, or another suitable canticle, may be said or sung

Our hope is not in vain, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts. Alleluia.

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.

Our hope is not in vain, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts. Alleluia.

Scripture Reading

One or more readings appointed for the day are read.

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

Matthew 18.1-10

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a child, whom he put among them, and said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

‘If any of you put a stumbling-block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe to the world because of stumbling-blocks! Occasions for stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling-block comes!

‘If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell of fire.

‘Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones; for, I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.

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

Lord, you will guide me with your counsel and afterwards receive me with glory. Lord, you will guide me with your counsel and afterwards receive me with glory. For I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. And afterwards receive me with glory. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Lord, you will guide me with your counsel and afterwards receive me with glory.

from Psalm 73

Gospel Canticle

The Magnificat (The Song of Mary) is normally said, or the Nunc dimittis (The Song of the Simeon) (page 613) may be said

All that the Father gives to me will come to me; and the one who comes to me, I will not cast out.

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 that the Father gives to me will come to me; and the one who comes to me, I will not cast out.

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 364–365

The saints on earth, that they may live as citizens of heaven All people, that they may hear and believe the word of God All who fear the winter months All sovereigns and political leaders, that they may imitate the righteous rule of Christ All who grieve or wait with the dying

A form of prayer found on page 384 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

Eternal God, our maker and redeemer, grant us, with all the faithful departed, the sure benefits of your Son's saving passion and glorious resurrection that, in the last day, when you gather up all things in Christ, we may with them enjoy the fullness of your promises; 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

Uniting our prayers with the whole company of heaven, 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)

Uniting our prayers with the whole company of heaven, 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

May Christ, who has opened the kingdom of heaven, bring us to reign with him in glory. 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.