✥ Small Vespers: Service of Evening Light ✥
Adapted for inclusive devotion and personal or community use
1. Opening Blessing
Leader:
Blessed is our God, the Fountain of Light and Love, now and always, and unto ages of ages.
All:
Amen.
2. The Evening Prayers (Introductory)
Leader:
Glory to You, O God, Source of all mercy.
Glory to You, O Word, Light of the world.
Glory to You, O Spirit, Giver of peace.
All:
Holy and undivided Trinity, dwell within us and make this evening holy. Amen.
3. The Psalm of Evening (Psalm 103, abridged)
Bless the Lord, O my soul; O Lord my God, You are clothed in majesty and light.
You stretch out the heavens like a tent,
You make the clouds Your chariot, and You walk upon the wings of the wind.
You send forth springs into the valleys,
and all creation drinks from Your bounty.
How manifold are Your works, O Lord;
in wisdom You have made them all.
Glory to You forever.
4. The Great Litany (Peace Litany)
Leader:
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
All:
Lord, have mercy.
Leader:
For the peace from above, and the love that holds all things, let us pray.
All:
Lord, have mercy.
Leader:
For those who seek healing, and for all creation’s renewal, let us pray.
All:
Lord, have mercy.
Leader:
For rest this night, forgiveness of our sins, and hearts filled with compassion, let us pray.
All:
Lord, have mercy.
Leader:
For all people of faith and goodwill, that light may overcome all darkness, let us pray.
All:
Lord, have mercy.
Leader:
For this holy place, for all who gather in love and peace, let us pray.
All:
To You, O Lord.
5. “O Lord, I Have Cried” (Psalm 141, shortened)
O Lord, I have cried to You, hear me;
receive my prayer as incense before You.
Let my heart be gentle and my spirit steadfast,
that I may rest in Your love through the watches of the night.
6. Hymn of Light (Phos Hilaron)
O Joyful Light of the Holy Glory
of the Living and Eternal One,
Holy and Blessed are You.
Now that the sun has set and evening comes,
we sing praise to You—
Giver of Life and Radiance of the world.
We glorify You, O Loving God,
for in Your light we see true Light.
7. The Prokeimenon of the Evening
Leader:
The Lord is my strength and my song,
and has become my salvation.
All:
The Lord is my strength and my song,
and has become my salvation.
Leader:
I shall not die but live,
and declare the works of the Lord.
All:
The Lord is my strength and my song,
and has become my salvation.
8. Prayer for the Evening
O God of mercy and light,
who makes the day to pass and the night to come,
receive our prayers as the fragrance of evening incense.
Grant us peace of heart,
forgiveness for what we have failed to love,
and rest from all anxiety.
Guard us under the shadow of Your wings,
and bring us to the morning renewed in faith and joy.
For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
9. The Aposticha (Evening Verses)
In You, O Lord, I find my peace.
You make the darkness luminous with Your presence.
You call us from striving into stillness,
from fear into trust,
from weariness into Your gentle rest.
10. Song of Simeon (Nunc Dimittis, Luke 2:29-32)
Now let Your servant depart in peace, O Lord,
for my eyes have seen Your salvation,
which You have prepared before all peoples—
a light to reveal You to the nations,
and the glory of those who love You.
Amen.
11. Closing Prayers
Leader:
Let us commend ourselves and all creation to the mercy and love of God.
All:
To You, O Lord.
Leader:
Through the compassion of the Most High,
and the grace of the Eternal Word,
and the peace of the Holy Spirit—
may our night be blessed, our rest be gentle,
and our hearts awaken to joy.
All:
Amen.
12. Dismissal
Leader:
May the blessing of God—
the Eternal Light, the Living Word, and the Spirit of Peace—
be upon you and remain with you always.
All:
Amen.
(A brief chant, bell, or silence may close the service.)