Cantica Gaudia

Ordinary Time, Early Summer: Monday Evening Prayer

Opening: O God, be not far from us. Come quickly to help us.

Canticle: O Gracious Light
pure brightness of the everlasting Father in heaven.
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!
Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing praises, O God:
Father Son and Holy Spirit.
You are worthy at all times
to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.

Psalm: Draw down finer the thread of your kindness
For those who recognize you
Draw down the strong filament of your uprightness
For those whose hearts are upright
Don’t let the foot of pride be in my step
Or the hand of wickedness be raised up in mine

Glory to God, our Creator, to God’s most Holy Word, and to the Spirit, indwelling; as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever.

Reading: There is nothing in death or life,
In the realm of spirits or superhuman powers,
In the world as it is or the world as it shall be,
In the forces of the universe, in heights or depths –
Nothing in all creation
Which can separate us from the love of God
Which is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Love never comes to an end.

The Lord’s Prayer: Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
Sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,
Now and for ever.  Amen.

Prayer: Let the healing grace of your love, O Lord, so transform me that I may play my part in the transfiguration of the world from a place of suffering, death and corruption to a realm of infinite light, joy, and love. Make me so obedient to your Spirit that my life may become a living prayer, and a witness to your unfailing presence. Amen.

Collect: 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.

Going Forth:  Thanks be to God!