Friday, August 15
The Vespers Office To Be Observed on the Hour or Half Hour Between 5 and 8 p.m.


The Call to Prayer
O tarry and await the LORD’s pleasure; be strong, and he shall comfort your heart;* wait patiently for the LORD.
Psalm 27:18

The Request for Presence
Let your loving-kindness be my comfort,* as you have promised to your servant. Let your compassion come to me, that I may live,* for your law is my delight.
Psalm 119:76–77


The Greeting

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul;* my God I put my trust in you . . .
Psalm 2:1

The Hymn

All the Way My Savior Leads Me

All the way my Savior leads me, What have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercies, Who through life has been my guide? Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, Here by faith in Him to dwell, For I know whatever befall me, Jesus does all things well. All the way my Savior leads me, Cheers each winding path I tread, Gives me grace for every trial, Feeds me with the living bread, Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the Rock before me, Lo! Aspring of joy I see. All the way my Savior leads me, O the fullness of His love! Perfect rest to me is promised In my Father’s house above; When my spirit, clothed, immortal, Wings its flight to realms of day, This my song through endless ages— Jesus led me all the way.
Fanny J. Crosby

The Refrain for the Vespers Lessons

Bless the LORD, O my soul,* and forget not all his benefits.
Psalm 103:2

The Vespers Psalm

The LORD Accepts My Prayer

LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger;* do not punish me in your wrath. Have pity on me, LORD, for I am weak;* heal me, LORD, for my bones are racked. My spirit shakes with terror;* how long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, and deliver me;* save me for your mercy’s sake. For in death no one remembers you;* and who will give you thanks in the grave? I grow weary because of my groaning;* every night I drench my bed and flood my couch with tears. My eyes are wasted with grief* and worn away because of all my enemies. Depart from me, all evildoers,* for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. The LORD has heard my supplication;* the LORD accepts my prayer. All my enemies shall be confounded and quake with fear;* they shall turn back and suddenly be put to shame.
Psalm 6

The Refrain

Bless the LORD, O my soul,* and forget not all his benefits.

The Cry of the Church

O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me. O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world, grant me your peace.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name. May your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

The Prayer Appointed for the Week

Grant to me, Lord. I pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that I, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.†

The Concluding Prayers of the Church

Almighty God, who has promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in your Son’s Name: I beseech you mercifully to incline your ear to me who have made my prayers and supplications to you; and grant that those things which I have faithfully asked according to your will, I may effectually obtain, to the relief of my necessity, and to the setting forth of your glory; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.† May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in eternal peace. Amen.