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 139 vv 1-18

Refrain: Search me out, O God, and know my heart.

1O Lord, you have searched me out and known me; •
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
you discern my thoughts from afar.

2You mark out my journeys and my resting place •
and are acquainted with all my ways.

3For there is not a word on my tongue, •
but you, O Lord, know it altogether.

4You encompass me behind and before •
and lay your hand upon me.

5Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, •
so high that I cannot attain it. R

6Where can I go then from your spirit? •
Or where can I flee from your presence?

7If I climb up to heaven, you are there; •
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.

8If I take the wings of the morning •
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

9Even there your hand shall lead me, •
your right hand hold me fast.

10If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will cover me •
and the light around me turn to night,’

11Even darkness is no darkness with you;
the night is as clear as the day; •
darkness and light to you are both alike. R

12For you yourself created my inmost parts; •
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

13I thank you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; •
marvellous are your works, my soul knows well.

14My frame was not hidden from you, •
when I was made in secret
and woven in the depths of the earth.

15Your eyes beheld my form, as yet unfinished; •
already in your book were all my members written,

16As day by day they were fashioned •
when as yet there was none of them.

17How deep are your counsels to me, O God! •
How great is the sum of them!

18If I count them, they are more in number than the sand, •
and at the end, I am still in your presence.

Refrain: Search me out, O God, and know my heart.

Creator God,
may every breath we take be for your glory,
may every footstep show you as our way,
that, trusting in your presence in this world,
we may, beyond this life, still be with you
where you are alive and reign
for ever and ever.

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

Scripture Reading

God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.

1 Thessalonians 5.9,10

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.

AllGrant us your light, O Lord,
that the darkness of our hearts being overcome,
we may receive the true light,
even Christ our Saviour.

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.

AllGrant us your light, O Lord,
that the darkness of our hearts being overcome,
we may receive the true light,
even Christ our Saviour.