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 31 vv 1-5, [19-end]

Refrain: Into your hands I commend my spirit.

1In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; ♦
deliver me in your righteousness.

2Incline your ear to me; ♦
make haste to deliver me.

3Be 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.

4Take me out of the net
that they have laid secretly for me, ♦
for you are my strength.

5Into your hands I commend my spirit, ♦
for you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. R

[19How 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.

20You 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.

21Blessed be the Lord! ♦
For he has shown me his steadfast love
when I was as a city besieged.

22I 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

23Love the Lord, all you his servants; ♦
for the Lord protects the faithful,
but repays to the full the proud.

24Be 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

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.
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. The Word was made flesh, alleluia,
and dwelt among us. 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. The Word was made flesh, alleluia,
and dwelt among us. Alleluia, alleluia.