Tuesday Evening Devotion

Feast of St. Matthew

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God *

 and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

  One day telleth another *

 and one night certifieth another.

  There is neither speech nor language *

 but their voices are heard among them.

  Their sound is gone out into all lands *

 and their words into the ends of the world.

  In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun *

 which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course.

  It goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven, and runneth about unto the end of it again *

 and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.

  The law of the Lord is an undefiled law, converting the soul *

 the testimony of the Lord is sure, and giveth wisdom unto the simple.

  The statutes of the Lord are right, and rejoice the heart *

 the commandment of the Lord is pure, and giveth light unto the eyes.

  The fear of the Lord is clean, and endureth for ever *

 the judgements of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold *

 sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb.

  Moreover, by them is thy servant taught *

 and in keeping of them there is great reward.

  Who can tell how oft he offendeth *

 O cleanse thou me from my secret faults.

  Keep thy servant also from presumptuous sins, lest they get the dominion over me *

 so shall I be undefiled, and innocent from the great offence.

  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart *

 be alway acceptable in thy sight,

  O Lord *

 my strength, and my redeemer.

(Translation: Coverdale)

A Reading

(Job 28:12-28)

But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?

Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.

The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.

It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.

It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.

The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.

No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.

The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.

Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?

Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.

Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.

God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.

For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;

To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.

When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:

Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.

And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.

(Translation: Authorized Version)

A period of silence may follow.

Canticle

Te Deum laudamus 

We praise thee, O God; we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.

All the earth doth worship thee, the Father everlasting.

To thee all Angels cry aloud,

the Heavens and all the Powers therein.

To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry:

    Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth;

    Heaven and earth are full of the majesty of thy glory.

The glorious company of the apostles praise thee.

The goodly fellowship of the prophets praise thee.

The noble army of martyrs praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee,

    the Father, of an infinite majesty,

    thine adorable, true, and only Son,

    also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.

Thou art the King of glory, O Christ.

Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father.

When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man,

thou didst humble thyself to be born of a Virgin.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death,

thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

Thou sittest at the right hand of God, in the glory of the Father.

We believe that thou shalt come to be our judge.

    We therefore pray thee, help thy servants,

    whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.

    Make them to be numbered with thy saints,

    in glory everlasting.

(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 Mission

O God, who dost manifest in thy servants the signs of thy presence:  Send forth upon us the Spirit of love, that in companionship with one another thine abounding grace may increase among us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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