A Sojourner's Quest

PA RT I I : WA L K I NG T H E D A I LY J O U R N E Y / 8 9

Evening Prayers

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give thine 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 thy love’s sake. Amen. ~ The Book of Common Prayer . p. 71.

O Lamb of God, Who takest away the sin of the world, look upon us and have mercy upon us; Thou Who art Thyself both Victim and Priest, Thyself both Reward and Redeemer, keep safe from all evils those whom Thou hast redeemed, O Saviour of the world. Amen.

~ Bishop Irenaeus, A.D. 170 S. E. Fox. A Chain of Prayer across the Ages . p. 188.

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.

~ Rev. Terry Cornett. Daily Devotions for Individuals and Family: Living God’s Presence in Our Lives . 2010. Book of Common Prayer. p. 124.

O Lord God, who hast given man the night for rest, as thou hast created the day for his work, we beseech thee to give our bodies a night of rest that our minds may awake to thee and our hearts be always full of thy love. Let us never forget thee, O Lord, nor thy goodness. Let the remembrance of thy mercy be always engraven on our minds. Grant that our sleep may not be an indulgence but only serve to strengthen us that we may be more alert in thy service. Be pleased to keep us chaste in body and mind and safe from all temptations and dangers, that our sleep may turn to the glory of thy name. But since this day has not passed away without our having in many ways offended thee through our proneness to evil, just as all things are now covered by the darkness of the night, so, O Lord, let everything that is sinful in us lie buried in thy mercy. Through Jesus Christ our Saviour. ~ Calvin Roger Geffen. The Handbook of Public Prayer. p.40.