Night Prayer (Compline) in Contemporary Language

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 86

Refrain: All nations you have made shall come and worship
you, O Lord.

1Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, ♦
for I am poor and in misery.

2Preserve my soul, for I am faithful; ♦
save your servant, for I put my trust in you.

3Be merciful to me, O Lord, for you are my God; ♦
I call upon you all the day long.

4Gladden the soul of your servant, ♦
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. R

5For you, Lord, are good and forgiving, ♦
abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

6Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer ♦
and listen to the voice of my supplication.

7In the day of my distress I will call upon you, ♦
for you will answer me. R

8Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord, ♦
nor any works like yours.

9All nations you have made shall come and worship you, O Lord, ♦
and shall glorify your name.

10For you are great and do wonderful things; ♦
you alone are God. R

11Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; ♦
knit my heart to you, that I may fear your name.

12I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, ♦
and glorify your name for evermore;

13For great is your steadfast love towards me, ♦
for you have delivered my soul from the depths of the grave. R

14O God, the proud rise up against me
and a ruthless horde seek after my life; ♦
they have not set you before their eyes.

15But you, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion, ♦
slow to anger and full of kindness and truth.

16Turn to me and have mercy upon me; ♦
give your strength to your servant
and save the child of your handmaid.

17Show me a token of your favour,
that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed; ♦
because you, O Lord, have helped and comforted me.

Refrain: All nations you have made shall come and worship
you, O Lord.

God of mercy,
who in your great love
drew your Son from the depths of the Pit,
bring your people from death to life,
that we may rejoice in your compassion
and praise you now and for ever.

At the end of the psalmody the following is said or sung

Scripture Reading

I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. The old shall dream dreams and the young shall see visions.
Joel 2.28

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.

Refrain:

All Save us, O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ
and asleep may rest in peace. 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.

Refrain:

All Save us, O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ
and asleep may rest in peace. Alleluia.