An Order for Night Prayer (Compline)
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
All Amen.
Our help is in the name of the Lord
All who 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.
All Most 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.
All Glory 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 31 vv 1-5, [19-end]
Refrain:Into your hands I commend my spirit.
1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; ♦
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Incline your ear to me; ♦
make haste to deliver me.
3 Be my strong rock, a fortress to save me,
for you are my rock and my stronghold; ♦
guide me, and lead me for your name’s sake.
4 Take me out of the net
that they have laid secretly for me, ♦
for you are my strength.
5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, ♦
for you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. R
[19 How abundant is your goodness, O Lord,
which you have laid up for those who fear you; ♦
which you have prepared in the sight of all
for those who put their trust in you.
20 You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from those who slander them; ♦
you keep them safe in your refuge from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord! ♦
For he has shown me his steadfast love
when I was as a city besieged.
22 I had said in my alarm,
‘I have been cut off from the sight of your eyes.’ ♦
Nevertheless, you heard the voice of my prayer
when I cried out to you. R
23 Love the Lord, all you his servants; ♦
for the Lord protects the faithful,
but repays to the full the proud.
24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, ♦
all you who wait in hope for the Lord.]
Refrain: Into your hands I commend my spirit.
Lord Jesus Christ,
when scorn and shame besiege us
and hope is veiled in grief,
hold us in your wounded hands
and make your face shine on us again,
for you are our Lord and God.
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
In him was life and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.
John 1.4,5
The following responsory may be said
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
All Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
All I commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
All Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Keep me as the apple of your eye.
All Hide me under the shadow of your wings.
Gospel Canticle
The Nunc Dimittis (Song of Simeon) is said or sung.
All Alleluia. The Word was made flesh, alleluia,
and dwelt among us. Alleluia, alleluia.
1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace: ♦
your word has been fulfilled.
2 My own eyes have seen the salvation ♦
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
3 A light to reveal you to the nations ♦
and the glory of your people Israel.
Luke 2.29-32
All Glory 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.
All Alleluia. The Word was made flesh, alleluia,
and dwelt among us. Alleluia, alleluia.
Prayers
Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here.
The Collect
Silence may be kept.
Lord God,
who gave grace to your servant Thomas Becket
to put aside all earthly fear
and be faithful even to death:
grant that we, disregarding worldly esteem,
may fight all wrong,
uphold your rule,
and serve you to our life’s end;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
All Amen.
or
We give you thanks, O God,
for the gift to the world of our Redeemer;
as we sing your glory at the close of this day,
so may we know his presence in our hearts,
who is our Saviour and our Lord,
now and for ever.
All Amen.
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;
All for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
All for the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night watch looks for the morning,
All so do we look for you, O Christ.
All and make yourself known in the breaking of the bread.]
May the love of the Word made flesh enfold us,
his joy fill our lives,
his peace be in our hearts;
and the blessing of God be with us
this night and always.
