EVENING PRAYER

Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.

(From Evening Prayer, Book of Common Prayer)

Just by happenstance, in the World Cycle of Prayer:

We pray for the people of United States.

PRAYERS IN THE EARLY EVENING - BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER

In the Early Evening

O gracious light,
pure brightness of the everliving Father in heaven,
O Jesus Christ, holy and blessed!

Now as we come to the setting of the sun,
and our eyes behold the vesper light,
we sing your praises, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

You are worthy at all times to be praised by happy voices,
O Son of God, O Giver of Life,
and to be glorified through all the worlds.

A Reading

It is not ourselves that we proclaim; we proclaim Christ
Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your servants, for Jesus' sake.
For the same God who said, "Out of darkness let light
shine," has caused his light to shine within us, to give the
light of revelation--the revelation of the glory of God in the
face of Jesus Christ.     2 Corinthians 4:5-6

The Collect

Lord Jesus, stay with us, for evening is at hand and the day is
past; be our companion in the way, kindle our hearts, and
awaken hope, that we may know you as you are revealed in
Scripture and the breaking of bread. Grant this for the sake
of your love. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE 78TH GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel at the 78th General Convention for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE ELECTION OF A PRESIDING BISHOP FOR THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a presiding bishop for this church, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

PRAYER AND THE PRESENCE OF GOD

On weekdays, I usually read the Scripture passages assigned for the day in the Lectionary and pray the morning, noon, twilight, or evening prayers in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church. Some days, I am distracted nearly the entire time, at times to the point that right in the middle of the prayer time, I think of something I must jump up and do right this minute.  At Sunday services, it's the same, except I don't jump up and leave, but I stay and mouth the words of the prayers with thoughts mostly wandering elsewhere.  Most days are better, days when I'm middlingly focused, wavering between attentiveness and distraction.  Of course, I believe God is always present, but oftentimes I am not fully present with God. 

Ah, but some days are different and quite special, for prayer is easy because I am enfolded in and filled with God's loving and powerful presence in a way that is close to tangible.  If I'm at home, the best response is to continue with the prayers and then remain silent with God.  The felt presence of God is a wonder and a joy, but, in the end, the experience is ineffable, beyond description.  And, at least for me, it is something not to be too much looked for or ever to be counted on.  Nor is it merited by my doing good or avoiding evil, but is rather all gift, all grace.  And who knows, perhaps only God, but that perseverance in prayer in the face of great distraction is more efficacious than prayer that flows easily.

Last Sunday, the felt presence of God happened during the Eucharistic service, and it was quite lovely.  Thanks be to God.

Image from Wikipedia.