Friday Evening Devotion

Psalm 73:1-12

Truly God is loving unto Israel *

 even unto such as are of a clean heart.

  Nevertheless, my feet were almost gone *

 my treadings had well-nigh slipt.

  And why? I was grieved at the wicked *

 I do also see the ungodly in such prosperity.

  For they are in no peril of death *

 but are lusty and strong.

  They come in no misfortune like other folk *

 neither are they plagued like other men.

  And this is the cause that they are so holden with pride *

 and overwhelmed with cruelty.

  Their eyes swell with fatness *

 and they do even what they lust.

  They corrupt other, and speak of wicked blasphemy *

 their talking is against the most High.

  For they stretch forth their mouth unto the heaven *

 and their tongue goeth through the world.

  Therefore fall the people unto them *

 and thereout suck they no small advantage.

  Tush, say they, how should God perceive it *

 is there knowledge in the most High?

  Lo, these are the ungodly, these prosper in the world, and these have riches in possession *

 and I said, Then have I cleansed my heart in vain, and washed mine hands in innocency.

(Translation: Coverdale)

A Reading

(1 Corinthians 3:16-23)

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;

Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

(Translation: Authorized Version)

A period of silence may follow.

Canticle

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 for ever. Amen.

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 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.

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