Evening Prayer (Anglican) - in Contemporary Prayer Books

In Contemporary Prayer Books

In the Episcopal Church, like the Eucharist, the Burial of the Dead, and A Penitential Order, Morning and Evening Prayer are given in the 1979 US Book of Common Prayer in two forms: "Rite One" and "Rite Two".

Rite One is a modified version of the traditional order for Evening Prayer. It is somewhat similar to the traditional Prayer Book rite, but the Confession of Sin has been truncated, the Phos Hilaron may be said, and only one reading need be used. The Magnificat and Nunc dimittis may both be used, or one of them may be used, or an alternative canticle may be used. Rite One is based on the 1928 Prayer Book and is also found in the Anglican Service Book, a traditional language adaption of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.

Rite Two is substantially similar, but is rendered in modern language.

The American Book of Common Prayer also offers an "Order of Worship for the Evening", which may be used as a service in itself or as an introduction to Evening Prayer.

The Book of Alternative Services of the Anglican Church of Canada provides a simple version of Evening Prayer. The service may begin with the Service of Light or the Penitential Rite. Otherwise, it commences with the Preces and the Phos Hilaron. The Psalms are said followed by one or more readings and one or more canticles. The Apostle's Creed or the Summary of the Law is said, and then Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be offered. The Collect of the Day may follow. The service concludes with the Lord's Prayer and Dismissal.

A special form of Evensong, the "Vigil of the Resurrection" is provided for use on Saturdays.

Common Worship: Daily Prayer offers a contemporary form of the liturgy. After the opening versicle, a hymn, prayer, and/or canticle are said or sung. A prayer is followed by psalms, canticles, and readings. The service concludes with intercessions, the collect, and the Lord's Prayer. The structure is:

Preparation:

• an opening versicle, O God make speed to save us, its response, and seasonally appropriate versicle and response.

One or more of the following:

• a prayer of thanksgiving, varying according to season and ending with “Blessed be God for ever.”
• a suitable hymn
• an opening canticle
• an opening prayer, if desired

• a Form of Penitence may replace the Preparation:

The Word of God:

• psalmody, each with antiphon and psalm prayer.
• a New Testament canticle
• reading(s) from Holy Scripture
• a Responsory. This varies according to the season, and in ordinary time, the same is used as the Responsory in Morning Prayer.
• the Magnificat as the preferred Gospel Canticle, preceded and concluded with antiphons specific for each day, with ferial, festal and seasonal variations.

Prayers:

• intercessions and, especially in the evening, thanksgivings
• the Collect of the day, or the prayer which is printed
• the Lord’s Prayer

Conclusion:

• on Sundays and feasts a hymn or canticle may be used.
• a blessing or the Grace
• a concluding response, if desired
• the Peace may replace or follow the Conclusion