Evening Prayer on Tuesday

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? With these words I come into Thy presence, O gracious and loving God, in this evening hour, and give Thee humble thanks, because Thou hast permitted me to spend this day under Thy Fatherly protection, Thy loving care, Thy gracious guidance, and Thy abundant blessing. Lord, Thy goodness is great, and Thy compassions fail not. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him; He also will hear their cry and will save them.

O my God! How swiftly a day passes away! As an arrow shot from the bow, so swiftly our years do fly. Therefore make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, Thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before Thee. We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in the body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Therefore I enter into judgment with myself, and inquire: My soul, how hast thou spent this day? Hast thou been employed with thoughts of good? Has God remained united with thee, or hast thou grieved Him by deliberate and willful sin? Hast thou spoken what was honest and pure and of good report? Hast thou spread abroad God’s praise? Or hast thou overflowed with filthiness and foolish talking? Whither have ye gone, ye feet? What have ye done, ye hands? What have ye heard, ye ears? What have ye looked upon, ye eyes? What has been thy desire and aim and effort today, my heart?

O my God! If I must give answer to all these questions, how shall I stand in Thy sight? O Lord, with the passing day take away also my transgressions. O Jesus, cleanse me from my sins with Thy precious blood. O Holy Spirit, seal unto me the forgiveness of all my sins before I fall asleep, so that, if this night should prove to be my last, I may not perish eternally. If I am thus absolved from my sins, then, O Triune God, I shall sleep in peace; and on the morrow I will avoid with greater diligence all that is displeasing to Thee. My Father, spread the covering of Thy love over me and mine. My Jesus, let me repose in peace and safety in Thy wounds. O Holy Spirit, cause the last sigh with which I fall asleep to be a committal of my soul into the hands of God. Amen.