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  • Writer's pictureFr. Guillermo A. Arboleda

Evening Prayer for Maundy Thursday

Maundy Thursday

Evening Prayer & The Great Litany

April 9, 2020


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Want to pray on your own? Visit prayer.forwardmovement.org for many varieties of Daily Prayer in the Episcopal tradition.


Note: We are praying using Rite I (traditional, Elizabethan, "Ye Olde English") language during the season of Lent. This change is to help us slow down and pay attention to the words we are praying and also to experience different forms of the Confession of Sin.

This service is drawn from The Book of Common Prayer (1979) and the scriptures are reprinted from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.



Evening Prayer (BCP, p. 62)



All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6; BCP, p. 39).


Confession of Sin


Dear friends in Christ, here in the presence of Almighty God, let us kneel in silence, and with penitent and obedient hearts confess our sins, so that we may obtain forgiveness by his infinite goodness and mercy.


Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, we have offended against thy holy laws, we have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, spare thou those who confess their faults, restore thou those who are penitent, according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord; and grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.


The Almighty and merciful Lord grant us absolution and remission of all our sins, true repentance, amendment of life, and the grace and consolation of his Holy Spirit. Amen.


The Invitatory and Psalter


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


Glory to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, * and will be forever. Amen.


Canticle 10: The Second Song of Isaiah (Isaiah 55:6-11; BCP, p. 86).


Seek the Lord while he wills to be found; * 

    call upon him when he draws near. 

Let the wicked forsake their ways * 

    and the evil ones their thoughts; 

And let them turn to the Lord, and he will have compassion, * 

    and to our God, for he will richly pardon. 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, * 

    nor your ways my ways, says the Lord. 

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, * 

    so are my ways higher than your ways, 

    and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

For as rain and snow fall from the heavens * 

    and return not again, but water the earth, 

Bringing forth life and giving growth, * 

    seed for sowing and bread for eating, 

So is my word that goes forth from my mouth; * 

    it will not return to me empty; 

But it will accomplish that which I have purposed, * 

    and prosper in that for which I sent it. 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * 

    as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.


The Psalm or Psalms Appointed


Psalm 142

1 I cry to the Lord with my voice; * to the Lord I make loud supplication.

2 I pour out my complaint before him * and tell him all my trouble.

3 When my spirit languishes within me, you know my path; * in the way wherein I walk they have hidden a trap for me.

4 I look to my right hand and find no one who knows me; * I have no place to flee to, and no one cares for me.

5 I cry out to you, O Lord; * I say, “You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.”

6 Listen to my cry for help, for I have been brought very low; * save me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.

7 Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your Name; * when you have dealt bountifully with me, the righteous will gather around me.

Psalm 143

1 Lord, hear my prayer, and in your faithfulness heed my supplications;* answer me in your righteousness.

2 Enter not into judgment with your servant, * for in your sight shall no one living be justified.

3 For my enemy has sought my life; he has crushed me to the ground; * he has made me live in dark places like those who are long dead.

4 My spirit faints within me; * my heart within me is desolate.

5 I remember the time past; I muse upon all your deeds; * I consider the works of your hands.

6 I spread out my hands to you; * my soul gasps to you like a thirsty land.

7 O Lord, make haste to answer me; my spirit fails me; * do not hide your face from me or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.

8 Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning, for I put my trust in you; * show me the road that I must walk, for I lift up my soul to you.

9 Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, * for I flee to you for refuge.

10 Teach me to do what pleases you, for you are my God; * let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

11 Revive me, O Lord, for your Name’s sake; * for your righteousness’ sake, bring me out of trouble.

12 Of your goodness, destroy my enemies and bring all my foes to naught, * for truly I am your servant.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, * and will be forever. Amen.


The Lessons


A reading from First Corinthians (10:14-17; 11:27-32)


14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. … 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink judgment against themselves. 30 For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.


The Song of Mary Magnificat

Luke 1:46-55


My soul doth magnify the Lord, * and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded * the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold from henceforth * all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me, * and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him * throughout all generations. He hath showed strength with his arm; * he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things, * and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, * as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.


Glory to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, * and will be forever. Amen.


A Reading from [["non-biblical Christian literature" to be determined (BCP, p. 142)]]


The Song of Simeon Nunc Dimittis

Luke 2:29-32


Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, *

according to thy word;

For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, *

which thou hast prepared before the face of all people,

To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, *

And to be the glory of thy people Israel.


Glory to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, * and will be forever. Amen.


The Apostles' Creed


I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.


The Prayers


V: The Lord be with you. R: And with thy spirit. Let us pray.

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, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.


Suffrages B


That this evening may be holy, good, and peaceful, We entreat thee, O Lord.

That thy holy angels may lead us in paths of peace and goodwill, We entreat thee, O Lord.

That we may be pardoned and forgiven for our sins and offenses, We entreat thee, O Lord.

That there may be peace to thy Church and to the whole world, We entreat thee, O Lord.

That we may depart this life in thy faith and fear, and not be condemned before the great judgment seat of Christ, We entreat thee, O Lord.

That we may be bound together by thy Holy Spirit in the communion of Blessed Mary the Bearer of God, Blessed Matthew our Patron, and all thy saints, entrusting one another and all our life to Christ, We entreat thee, O Lord.


Collect of the Day: Maundy Thursday


Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before he suffered, did institute the Sacrament of his Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may thankfully receive the same in remembrance of him who in these holy mysteries giveth us a pledge of life eternal, the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who now liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.


A Collect for Fridays


O Lord Jesus Christ, who by thy death didst take away the sting of death: Grant unto us thy servants so to follow in faith where thou hast led the way, that we may at length fall asleep peacefully in thee, and awake up after thy likeness; for thy tender mercies' sake. Amen.


A Collect for the Presence of Christ


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.



The Great Litany (BCP, pp. 148)


O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth, Have mercy upon us.  O God the Son, Redeemer of the world, Have mercy upon us.  O God the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of the faithful, Have mercy upon us.  O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God, Have mercy upon us.


Remember not, Lord Christ, our offenses, nor the offenses of our forefathers; neither reward us according to our sins. Spare us, good Lord, spare thy people, whom thou hast redeemed with thy most precious blood, and by thy mercy preserve us, for ever. Spare us, good Lord.


From all evil and wickedness; from sin; from the crafts and assaults of the devil; and from everlasting damnation, Good Lord, deliver us.


From all blindness of heart; from pride, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice; and from all want of charity, Good Lord, deliver us.


From all inordinate and sinful affections; and from all the deceits of the world, the flesh, and the devil, Good Lord, deliver us.


From all false doctrine, heresy, and schism; from hardness of heart, and contempt of thy Word and commandment, Good Lord, deliver us.


From lightning and tempest; from earthquake, fire, and flood; from plague, pestilence, and famine, Good Lord, deliver us.


From all oppression, conspiracy, and rebellion; from violence, battle, and murder; and from dying suddenly and unprepared, Good Lord, deliver us.


By the mystery of thy holy Incarnation; by thy holy Nativity and submission to the Law; by thy Baptism, Fasting, and Temptation, Good Lord, deliver us.


By thine Agony and Bloody Sweat; by thy Cross and Passion; by thy precious Death and Burial; by thy glorious Resurrection and Ascension; and by the Coming of the Holy Ghost, Good Lord, deliver us.


In all time of our tribulation; in all time of our prosperity; in the hour of death, and in the day of judgment, Good Lord, deliver us.


We sinners do beseech thee to hear us, O Lord God; and that it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church Universal in the right way, We beesech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to illumine all bishops, priests, and deacons, with true knowledge and understanding of thy Word; and that both by their preaching and living, they may set it forth, and show it accordingly, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to bless and keep all thy people, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to send forth laborers into thy harvest, and to draw all mankind into thy kingdom, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to give to all people increase of grace to hear and receive thy Word, and to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have erred, and are deceived, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to give us a heart to love and fear thee, and diligently to live after thy commandments, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee so to rule the hearts of thy servants, the President of the United States, and all others in authority, that they may do justice, and love mercy, and walk in the ways of truth, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to make wars to cease in all the world; to give to all nations unity, peace, and concord; and to bestow freedom upon all peoples,  We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to show thy pity upon all prisoners and captives, the homeless and the hungry, and all who are desolate and oppressed, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to give and preserve to our use the bountiful fruits of the earth, so that in due time all may enjoy them, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to inspire us, in our several callings, to do the work which thou givest us to do with singleness of heart as thy servants, and for the common good, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to preserve all who are in danger by reason of their labor or their travel, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to preserve, and provide for, all women in childbirth, young children and orphans, the widowed, and all whose homes are broken or torn by strife, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to visit the lonely; to strengthen all who suffer in mind, body, and spirit; and to comfort with thy presence those who are failing and infirm, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to support, help, and comfort all who are in danger, necessity, and tribulation, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to have mercy upon all mankind, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances; and to endue us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy Word, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and slanderers, and to turn their hearts, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to strengthen such as do stand; to comfort and help the weak-hearted; to raise up those who fall; and finally to beat down Satan under our feet, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to grant to all the faithful departed eternal life and peace, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


That it may please thee to grant that, in the fellowship of all the saints, we may attain to thy heavenly kingdom, We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.


Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us. Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.


O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy upon us.

O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, Grant us thy peace.


O Christ, hear us. O Christ, hear us.


Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon 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.

The Supplication (BCP, p. 154)

O Lord, arise, help us;

And deliver us for thy Name's sake.


O God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared unto us, the noble works that thou didst in their days, and in the old time before them.

O Lord, arise, help us; and deliver us for thy Name's sake. 


Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. 

O Lord, arise, help us; and deliver us for thy Name's sake. 


V. From our enemies defend us, O Christ;

R. Graciously behold our afflictions.

V. With pity behold the sorrows of our hearts;

R. Mercifully forgive the sins of thy people.

V. Favorably with mercy hear our prayers;

R. O Son of David, have mercy upon us.

V. Both now and ever vouchsafe to hear us, O Christ;

R. Graciously hear us, O Christ; graciously hear us, O Lord Christ.


Let us pray. 

We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities; and, for the glory of thy Name, turn from us all those evils that we most justly have deserved; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honor and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.


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