Opening
Jesus, kindle my heart. Holy Spirit, teach me to pray. Father of mercies, receive this hour.
Hymn
The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended, The darkness falls at Thy behest; To Thee our morning hymns ascended, Thy praise shall sanctify our rest. We thank Thee that Thy Church unsleeping, While earth rolls onward into light, Through all the world her watch is keeping, And rests not now by day or night. — John Ellerton (public domain)
Psalmody
Antiphon
In the evening sacrifice of praise, receive my thanks and my tears.
Psalm
From the depths, I have cried out to you, O Lord. O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication. If you, O Lord, were to heed iniquities, who, O Lord, could persevere? For with you, there is forgiveness, and because of your law, I persevered with you, O Lord.
Psalm 129:1–4 · Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Antiphon
In the evening sacrifice of praise, receive my thanks and my tears.
Reading
James 1:19–22, 25 You know this, my most beloved brothers. So let every man be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to anger. For the anger of man does not accomplish the justice of God. Because of this, having cast away all uncleanness and an abundance of malice, receive with meekness the newly-grafted Word, which is able to save your souls. So be doers of the Word, and not listeners only, deceiving yourselves. But he who gazes upon the perfect law of liberty, and who remains in it, is not a forgetful hearer, but instead a doer of the work. He shall be blessed in what he does. — James 1:19–22, 25 · Catholic Public Domain Version (public domain)
Reflection
Review the day without harshness. Thank God for three gifts. Ask mercy for one failure. Rest in being a beloved child, not a finished project.
Intercession
For hearts that are tired, bring rest. For hearts that are restless, bring purpose. For hearts that are hard, bring compassion. For the world you love, kindle justice and peace. Lord, hear our prayer.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, keep this prayer alive in me through the day. Guard my steps, purify my desires, and teach me to love as you love. Amen.
Silence
If you can, rest in quiet for half a minute before you rise.