Tuesday Evening Devotion

Psalm 94:1-10

O Lord God, to whom vengeance belongeth *

 thou God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself.

  Arise, thou Judge of the world *

 and reward the proud after their deserving.

  Lord, how long shall the ungodly *

 how long shall the ungodly triumph?

  How long shall all wicked doers speak so disdainfully *

 and make such proud boasting?

  They smite down thy people, O Lord *

 and trouble thine heritage.

  They murder the widow, and the stranger *

 and put the fatherless to death.

  And yet they say, Tush, the Lord shall not see *

 neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.

  Take heed, ye unwise among the people *

 O ye fools, when will ye understand?

  He that planted the ear, shall he not hear *

 or he that made the eye, shall he not see?

  Or he that nurtureth the heathen *

 it is he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he punish?

  

(Translation: Coverdale)

A Reading

(1 Corinthians 7:32-40)

But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.

Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

(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.