Lost Prayers #13

A Selection of Short Evening Prayers

O Almighty and Everlasting God, as in the morning and at noontide, so now, prostrate before Thy Majesty, we pray that the darkness of sin being dispelled from our hearts, we may be brought to the true light, which is Christ. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Look favourably, O Lord, on this our evening prayer, and grant that when the night is passed we may be found without any stain, ready to offer our morning praises to Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Hear, O Lord, Thy servants offering their evening praises to Thy Name. Through the silent hours of the night deign to watch over us, whom Thou hast protected in all the dangers of the day. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Illumine our hearts with the light of Thy splendour, O Lord, we beseech Thee: may Thy protection keep us safe all the days of our life, and in every attack of our enemy. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

We thank Thee, O Lord, God Almighty, for that Thou hast preserved us through the course of this day, and hast brought us unto this evening hour: we humbly pray that this raising of our hands to Thee may be counted for an evening sacrifice well pleasing in Thy sight. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Send Thy light, O Lord, into the dark places of our hearts. In Thy love, discover to us the snares set by our enemy in the hours of night, that, saved by Thy protection in soul and body, we may deserve again to see the morning light. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

O God, Who does bid us to praise Thee that Thou mayest be constrained to pardon, grant that the prayers which we have offered up at each hour of this day may be remembered in Thy mercy. Whatever evil we have done this day, do Thou in Thy loving kindness forgive. So guard us through the nights and days of this earthly life, that we may merit to see the dawn of the day that knows no night. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

(From A Little Book of Prayers from Old English, 1900)