Evening Prayer in October

O God, whose hand hath spread the sky and all its shining hosts on high, 

And painting it with fiery light,  made it so beauteous and so bright:

Who, on the fourth day, didst reveal the sun’s enkindled flaming wheel,

Didst set the moon her ordered ways, and stars their ever-winding maze;

That each in its appointed way might separate the night from day,

And of the seasons through the year the well-remembered signs declare:

Illuminate our hearts within, and cleanse our minds from stain of sin;

Unburdened of our guilty load may we unfettered serve our God.

O Father, that we ask be done, Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son;

Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee, Doth live and reign eternally.  Amen.

Music: from I. J. Pleyel, arranged by W. Gardiner, 1815
Text: Cæli Deus sanctissime, attributed to Saint Gregory the Great, 540-604