Tuesday Evening Devotion

Psalm 36

My heart sheweth me the wickedness of the ungodly *

 that there is no fear of God before his eyes.

  For he flattereth himself in his own sight *

 until his abominable sin be found out.

  The words of his mouth are unrighteous, and full of deceit *

 he hath left off to behave himself wisely, and to do good.

  He imagineth mischief upon his bed, and hath set himself in no good way *

 neither doth he abhor any thing that is evil.

  Thy mercy, O Lord, reacheth unto the heavens *

 and thy faithfulness unto the clouds.

  Thy righteousness standeth like the strong mountains *

 thy judgements are like the great deep.

  Thou, Lord, shalt save both man and beast; How excellent is thy mercy, O God *

 and the children of men shall put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

  They shall be satisfied with the plenteousness of thy house *

 and thou shalt give them drink of thy pleasures, as out of the river.

  For with thee is the well of life *

 and in thy light shall we see light.

  O continue forth thy loving-kindness unto them that know thee *

 and thy righteousness unto them that are true of heart.

  O let not the foot of pride come against me *

 and let not the hand of the ungodly cast me down.

  There are they fallen, all that work wickedness *

 they are cast down, and shall not be able to stand.

(Translation: Coverdale)

A Reading

(James 2:14-26)

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

(Translation: Authorized Version)

A period of silence may follow.

Canticle

Dignus es

Revelation 4:11,· 5:9-10a, 13b

Thou art worthy, O Lord, *
    to receive glory and honor and power:
For thou hast created all things, *
    and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Thou art worthy, O Lamb that wast slain, *
    and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood
Out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; *
    and hast made us unto our God kings and priests.
Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power *
    be unto him that sitteth upon the throne
And unto the Lamb *
    for ever and ever. 

(Source: Anglican Service Book)

Prayers for Ourselves and Neighbors

Everlasting God, I pray for my own needs and those of others:

Silence or add individual intentions here

I confess to Almighty God that I have sinned by my own fault in thought, word, and deed, in things done and left undone; especially these sins which I have committed today:

Silence or add individual intentions here

For these and all other sins which I cannot now remember, I am truly sorry. I pray God to have mercy upon me. I firmly intend amendment of life, and I humbly beg forgiveness of God and his Church.

+May the Almighty God grant me forgiveness of all my sins, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy Trinity, One God, Thou art the bearer of good things, grant unto me a grateful heart that I may go forth with thanksgiving for all thy blessings:

Silence or add individual intentions here

And now, I gather my all prayers in the words Thy Son hath taught 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.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,

    for ever and ever. Amen.

A Collect for Aid against Perils

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

+The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless me and keep me. Amen.