An Order for Night Prayer (Compline) Friday, 26 January 2024
Timothy and Titus, Companions of Paul [Lesser Festival] Preparation
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
AllAmen.
Our help is in the name of the Lord
Allwho made heaven and earth.
A period of silence for reflection on the past day may follow.
The following or other suitable words of penitence may be used.
AllMost merciful God,
we confess to you,
before the whole company of heaven and one another,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed
and in what we have failed to do.
Forgive us our sins,
heal us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.
O God, make speed to save us.
AllO Lord, make haste to help us.
AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
The following or other suitable hymn may be sung.
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.
From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death.
The Word of God Psalmody
Psalm 16
Refrain:The Lord is at my right hand; I shall not fall.
1Preserve me, O God, for in you have I taken refuge; ♦
I have said to the Lord, ‘You are my lord,
all my good depends on you.’
2All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, ♦
upon those who are noble in heart.
3Though the idols are legion that many run after, ♦
their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, ♦
neither make mention of their names upon my lips.
4The Lord himself is my portion and my cup; ♦
in your hands alone is my fortune.
5My share has fallen in a fair land; ♦
indeed, I have a goodly heritage. R
6I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel, ♦
and in the night watches he instructs my heart.
7I have set the Lord always before me; ♦
he is at my right hand; I shall not fall.
8Wherefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices; ♦
my flesh also shall rest secure.
9For you will not abandon my soul to Death, ♦
nor suffer your faithful one to see the Pit.
10You will show me the path of life;
in your presence is the fullness of joy ♦
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
Refrain:The Lord is at my right hand; I shall not fall.
Give to us, Lord Christ,
the fullness of grace,
your presence and your very self,
for you are our portion and our delight,
now and for ever.
At the end of the psalmody the following is said or sung
AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
Scripture Reading
The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all.
Titus 2.11
The following responsory may be said
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
AllInto your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
AllI commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
AllInto your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Keep me as the apple of your eye.
AllHide me under the shadow of your wings.
Gospel Canticle
The Nunc Dimittis (Song of Simeon) is said or sung.
AllAlleluia. Christ the light of the world, alleluia,
has manifested his glory. Alleluia, alleluia.
1Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace: ♦
your word has been fulfilled.
2My own eyes have seen the salvation ♦
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
3A light to reveal you to the nations ♦
and the glory of your people Israel.
Luke 2.29-32
AllGlory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
AllAlleluia. Christ the light of the world, alleluia,
has manifested his glory. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prayers
Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here.
The Collect Silence may be kept.
Heavenly Father,
who sent your apostle Paul to preach the gospel,
and gave him Timothy and Titus
to be his companions in faith:
grant that our fellowship in the Holy Spirit
may bear witness to the name of Jesus,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
AllAmen.
or
King of kings and Lord of lords,
making the true light to shine:
lighten our darkness now and evermore
that with our lips and in our lives
we may praise you;
for you are our God, now and for ever.
AllAmen.
or
Visit this place, O Lord, we pray,
and drive far from it the snares of the enemy;
may your holy angels dwell with us and guard us in peace,
and may your blessing be always upon us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
AllAmen.
The Lord’s Prayer may be said.
The Conclusion
In peace we will lie down and sleep;
Allfor you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
Allfor the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night watch looks for the morning,
Allso do we look for you, O Christ.
Alland make yourself known in the breaking of the bread.]
May the living waters of Christ cleanse us,
may the Spirit descend upon us,
and the blessing of God be with us
this night and always.
An Order for Night Prayer Vigil Friday 26 January 2024
