Night Prayer (Compline) in Contemporary Language
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An Order for Night Prayer (Compline)
Tuesday, 29 October 2024
James Hannington, Bishop of Eastern Equatorial Africa, Martyr in Uganda, 1885 [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 143
Refrain: Show me, O Lord, the way that I should walk in.
1Hear my prayer, O Lord,
and in your faithfulness give ear to my supplications;
♦
answer me in your righteousness.
2Enter not into judgement
with your servant, ♦
for in your sight shall no one living be justified.
3For the enemy has pursued
me,
crushing my life to the ground, ♦
making me sit in darkness like those long dead.
4My spirit faints within
me; ♦
my heart within me is desolate. R
5I remember the time past;
I muse upon all your deeds; ♦
I consider the works of your hands.
6I stretch out my hands
to you; ♦
my soul gasps for you like a thirsty land.
7O Lord, make haste to
answer me; my spirit fails me; ♦
hide not your face from me
lest I be like those who go down to the Pit.
8Let me hear of your loving-kindness
in the morning,
for in you I put my trust; ♦
show me the way I should walk in,
for I lift up my soul to you. R
9Deliver me, O Lord, from
my enemies, ♦
for I flee to you for refuge.
10Teach me to do what
pleases you, for you are my God; ♦
let your kindly spirit lead me on a level path.
11Revive me, O Lord, for
your name’s sake; ♦
for your righteousness’ sake, bring me out of trouble.
12In your faithfulness,
slay my enemies,
and destroy all the adversaries of my soul, ♦
for truly I am your servant.
Refrain: Show me, O Lord, the way that I should walk in.
Jesus, our companion,
when we are driven to despair,
help us, through the friends and strangers
we encounter on our path,
to know you as our refuge,
our way, our truth and our life.
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
Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
Matthew 11.28–end
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.
Prayers
Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here.
The Collect
Silence may be kept.
Most merciful God,
who strengthened your Church by the steadfast courage
of your martyr James Hannington:
grant that we also,
thankfully remembering his victory of faith,
may overcome what is evil
and glorify your holy name;
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.
AllAmen.
or
Look down, O God, from your heavenly throne,
illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness,
and from the children of light banish the deeds of darkness;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
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.
[Come with the dawning of the day
Alland make yourself known
in the breaking of the bread.]
The Lord bless us and watch over us;
the Lord make his face shine upon us and be gracious to us;
the Lord look kindly on us and give us peace.
AllAmen.
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The Archbishops' Council of the Church of England, 2000-2005
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