Evening Prayer for April 7th, 2026

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening sentences
My soul waits for the Lord
more than those
who watch for the morning,
more than those
who watch for the morning.

Call: Out of the depths I have cried to You.
Response: O Lord, hear my voice.
Call: With my whole heart I want to praise You.
Response: O Lord, hear my voice.
Call: If you, Lord, should mark iniquities:
Response: Who could stand? who could stand?

I will wait for the Lord, my soul waits,
and in His word do I hope.

Expressions of faith
Lord, You have always given
bread for the coming day;
and though I am poor,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always given
strength for the coming day;
and though I am weak,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always given
peace for the coming day;
and though of anxious heart,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always kept
me safe in trials;
and now, tried as I am,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always marked
the road for the coming day;
and though it may be hidden,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always lightened
this darkness of mine;
and though the night is here,
today I believe.

Lord, You have always spoken
when time was ripe;
and though you be silent now,
today I believe.

Tonight’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 13

How long will you forget me, Lord?

How long will you hide from me? Forever?

How long must I worry?

How long must I feel sad in my heart?

How long will my enemy win over me?

Lord, look at me. Answer me, my God.

Tell me, or I will die.

Otherwise my enemy will say, “I have won!”

Those against me will rejoice that I’ve been defeated.

I trust in your love.

My heart is happy because you saved me.

I sing to the Lord because he has taken care of me.

Litany for a World at War

Prince of Peace whose Kingdom belongs to little children,

We come to you with great sadness and little hope. Remind us that your dream for the world is a Kindom where there is liberation for all and where tears are no more.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God who denied King David the honor of building a house in your name because of his violence in this world, we ask you to move the hands of the powerful away from violence and towards real peace.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

God who lifts up the lowly, let the poor, the meek, the merciful, and the peacemaker be blessed, and let that blessing overflow into the world — justice like a mighty river.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Scatter the proud and bring down the powerful from their thrones, and keep our own hearts from the sin of pride and power that prevents us from hearing the cries of the oppressed.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Bless and protect the people of Iran — men, women, and children made in your image, each one a person whose life matters.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Jesus who knows suffering, come close to the sufferers. Be with the weeping mothers and the fearful little ones. Be their comfort, their Shepherd, and their friend.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Jesus who weeps, we grieve violence and death. We grieve all evil that is done in your name. We grieve our helplessness. We grieve those who look away. In our sorrow, weep with us.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

You may offer your own prayers silently or aloud.

We ask all these things in the name of the one who loves humanity to the very end. Have mercy, have mercy, have mercy.

Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.

Blessing

See that you be at peace among yourselves, my children, and love one another. Follow the example of the wise and good and God will comfort you and help you, both in this world and in the world which is to come.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen