Friday Evening Prayer 1st December 2023

Friday Evening Prayer 1st December 2023 – Readings. Psalm 75 - 76; Ecclesiastes 10. 16–11.8; Revelation 13. 1–10.

Led by Felicity Scott, Liturgical Assistant at St John the Baptist Anglican Church Bulimba, QLD, Australia. Accompanied with guest reader Olivia Scott.

The full prayer transcript is available by going to this episode on the Podcast website.

https://dailyprayeranglicanprayerbookforaustralia.podbean.com

Welcome to Friday Evening prayer from the Anglican ‘A prayer book for Australia’.

We share the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ:

GOD in his infinite mercy, forgives all sins, and through our baptism in the name of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are given a rebirth into new life, free from the burden of all sin. ALLELUIA

Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Blessed be God forever.

Let us Pray.

 

1

Peace to those who are far off.

Peace to those who are near. 

Ephesians 2.17

  

 

Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit: 

as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen. 

  

 

2 The Opening Canticle, The Lord’s Servant

He was despised; he was rejected: 
a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. 
As one from whom people hide their faces: 
he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 
Ours were the sufferings he bore: 
ours the torments he endured, 
While we thought he was being punished: 
struck by God and brought low. 
He was pierced for our sins: 
bruised for no fault but ours. 
His punishment has won our peace: 
and by his wounds we are healed. 
We had all strayed like sheep: 
all taking our own way; 
But the Lord laid on him: 
the guilt of us all. 

Isaiah 53.3–6

  

 

3 The Opening Prayer

The day is now past and the night is at hand. 

Let us pray with one heart and mind. 

  

 

Silence may be kept.

Father of lights, receive the prayer and praise we offer you as our evening sacrifice; make us a light for all the world, delivered by your goodness from all the works of darkness; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. 

Amen.

  

 

4 The Psalms as appointed. A pause is observed after each.

Psalm 75; 76

75

1 We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks:

we call upon your name and tell of all the wonders you have done.

2 ‘I will surely appoint a time:

when I, the Lord, will judge with equity.

3 ‘Though the earth shake, and all who dwell in it:

it is I that have founded its pillars.

4 ‘I will say to the boasters “Boast no more”:

and to the wicked “Do not flaunt your horns;

5 ‘“Do not flaunt your horns so high:

or speak so proud and stiff-necked.”’

6 For there is none from the east or from the west:

or from the wilderness who can raise up;

7 But it is God who is the judge:

who puts down one and exalts another.

8 For there is a cup in the Lord’s hand:

and the wine foams and is richly mixed;

9 He gives it in turn to each of the wicked of the earth:

they drink it and drain it to the dregs.

10 But I will sing praises to the God of Jacob:

I will glorify his name for ever.

11 All the horns of the wicked I will break:

but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted high.

76

1 In Judah God is known:

his name is great in Israel.

2 At Salem is his tabernacle:

and his dwelling is in Zion.

3 There he broke in pieces the flashing arrows of the bow:

the shield, the sword and the weapons of battle.

4 Radiant in light are you:

greater in majesty than the eternal hills.

5 The valiant were dumbfounded, they sleep their sleep:

and all the warriors have lost their strength.

6 At the blast of your voice, O God of Jacob:

both horse and chariot were cast asleep.

7 Terrible are you, Lord God:

and who may stand before you when you are angry?

8 You caused your sentence to be heard from heaven:

the earth feared and was still,

9 When God arose to judgement:

to save all the meek of the earth.

10 For you crushed human wrath:

you bridled the remnant of the wrathful.

11 O make vows to the Lord your God, and keep them:

let all around him bring gifts to him that is worthy to be feared.

12 For he cuts down the fury of princes:

and he is terrible to the kings of the earth.

5 At the end of the (last) pause there may follow

Holy Spirit, sanctifier, cleanse us from all hypocrisy, unite us to one another in the bonds of peace and love, and confirm us in holiness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Amen.

  

 

6 One or two Readings from the Bible as appointed.

 

The 1st Reading is from the book of Ecclesiastes beginning at chapter 10. Verse 16:

16 Alas for you, O land, when your king is a servant,
     and your princes feast in the morning! 
17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is a nobleman,
     and your princes feast at the proper time—
     for strength, and not for drunkenness! 
18 Through sloth the roof sinks in,
     and through indolence the house leaks. 
19 Feasts are made for laughter;
     wine gladdens life,
     and money meets every need. 
20 Do not curse the king, even in your thoughts,
     or curse the rich, even in your bedroom;
for a bird of the air may carry your voice,
     or some winged creature tell the matter. 
1 Send out your bread upon the waters, 
     for after many days you will get it back. 
2 Divide your means seven ways, or even eight,
     for you do not know what disaster may happen on earth. 
3 When clouds are full,
     they empty rain on the earth;
whether a tree falls to the south or to the north,
     in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. 
4 Whoever observes the wind will not sow;
     and whoever regards the clouds will not reap. 
5 Just as you, do not know, how the breath comes to the bones, in the mother’s womb, so you do not know, the work of God, who makes everything. 
6 In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hands be idle;

for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good. 
7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. 
8 Even those who live for many years should rejoice in them all;

yet let them remember that the days of darkness will be many.

All that comes is vanity.

2nd Reading

Revelation 13.1–10

1 And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads; and on its horns were ten diadems, and on its heads were blasphemous names. 
2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard, its feet were like a bear’s, and its mouth was like a lion’s mouth. And the dragon gave it his power and his throne and great authority. 
3 One of its heads seemed to have received a deathblow, but its mortal wound had been healed. In amazement the whole earth followed the beast. 
4 They worshipped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshipped the beast, saying, ‘Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?’ 
5 The beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 
6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 
7 Also, it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. It was given authority over every tribe and people and language and nation, 
8 and all the inhabitants of the earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slaughtered. 
9 Let anyone who has an ear listen: 
10 If you are to be taken captive, into captivity you go; if you kill with the sword, with the sword you must be killed. Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.

 

The readings may be followed by a period of silence for reflection, a hymn or

May your word live in us 

and bear much fruit to your glory.

 

 

7 The Canticle, A Song to the Lamb

You are worthy, our Lord and God: 
to receive glory and honour and power. 
For you have created all things: 
and by your will they have their being. 
You are worthy, O Lamb, for you were slain: 
and by your blood you ransomed for God 
saints from every tribe and language and nation. 
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests 
serving our God: 
and they will reign with you on earth. 
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. 

Revelation 4.11; 5.9b–10

  

 

8 The Prayers

Lord have mercy. 

Christ have mercy. 

Lord have mercy 

  

 

9 The Lord’s Prayer and the Collect of the Day

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. 
Save us from the time of trial 
and deliver us from evil. 
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours 

now and for ever. Amen. 

  

 

Prayer of the Week

Stir up, we pray you, O Lord,

the wills of your faithful people,

that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works,

may by you be plenteously rewarded;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

 

 

 

10 Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom and need.

Let us pray – God’s Guidance

 Almighty and everlasting God, we ask you to direct, sanctify, and govern our hearts and bodies in the ways of your law and works of your commandments.

By your mighty protection may we be kept safe in body and soul, serving you and the people with generous and joyful hearts, bringing glory to your holy name;

God of Grace; Hear our prayer

 

O Lord our God, we ask for your mercy on the Ukrainian people. We ask for your intervention, to impart peace as an initiative in the minds of all those at war across the world. We ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.

God of grace; Hear our prayer.

 

Blessed God, we ask your blessing for the people listed on the Anglican cycle of prayer:

• The Diocese of Bangor – The Church in Wales
• The ongoing work of peace-making in Sudan & South Sudan
• The Anglican Church of Australia: The Primate – †Geoff Smith; The General Secretary – Anne Hywood; The General Synod and the Standing Committee
• The Parish of Nanango: Locum Robert Chippendale
• Finance and Diocesan Services Commission: Joanne Stone & staff
• Anglican Schools Office, Church House: Executive Director – Sherril Butterworth & staff
• Parishes seeking new incumbents.
• Anglican schools seeking new chaplains.

God of Grace; Hear our prayer

 

11 The Evening Collect

Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray: 

and in your great mercy 

defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; 

for the love of your only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

 

12

The Lord be with you.

And also with you. 

Let us praise the Lord. 

Thanks be to God. 

  

 

May the God of all grace, who has called us to eternal glory in Christ, restore, establish, strengthen us. To him be the dominion for ever and ever. 

Amen.

1 Peter 5.10–11