'The same spirit of devotion': the use of 'Let us pray' at Matins and Evensong

Continuing with extracts from John Shepherd's A Critical and Practical Elucidation of the Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church of England (1796), we consider another often overlooked short form of words before the prayers at Matins and Evensong: "Let us pray". 

This exhortation, which is often repeated in the ancient Liturgies, as well as in our own, may be considered as an invitation to prayer in general, to ardent and intense prayer in particular. In the ancient Liturgies the assistant deacon is directed frequently to call upon the people to pray, to pray earnestly, and to pray still more earnestly [a footnote refers to this exhortation in "Greek and Oriental Liturgies"]. And the same spirit of devotion our church breathes in her Liturgy by the frequent repetition of the words, "Let us pray."

They here remind the people, that as they are now solemnly entering upon the grand duty of supplication and prayer, they should not suffer their thoughts to wander, nor their attention to abate: But that they should pray with fervency, and with holy importunity besiege the throne of heaven.