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 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.

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.

Prayers

Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here.

The Collect

Silence may be kept.

Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church
      is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer for all your faithful people,
that in their vocation and ministry
they may serve you in holiness and truth
to the glory of your name;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
AllAmen.

or

Keep watch, dear Lord,
with those who wake, or watch, or weep this night,
and give your angels charge over those who sleep.
Tend the sick,
give rest to the weary,
sustain the dying,
calm the suffering,
and pity the distressed;
all for your love's sake, O Christ our Redeemer.
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