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 104 vv1, 21-33

Refrain: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.

1Bless the Lord, O my soul. ♦
O Lord my God, how excellent is your greatness!

21You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, ♦
and the sun knows the time for its setting.

22You make darkness that it may be night, ♦
in which all the beasts of the forest creep forth.

23The lions roar for their prey ♦
and seek their food from God.

24The sun rises and they are gone ♦
to lay themselves down in their dens.

25People go forth to their work ♦
and to their labour until the evening. R

26O Lord, how manifold are your works! ♦
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.

27There is the sea, spread far and wide, ♦
and there move creatures beyond number, both small and great.

28There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan ♦
which you have made to play in the deep.

29All of these look to you ♦
to give them their food in due season.

30When you give it them, they gather it; ♦
you open your hand and they are filled with good.

31When you hide your face they are troubled; ♦
when you take away their breath,
they die and return again to the dust.

32When you send forth your spirit, they are created, ♦
and you renew the face of the earth. R

33May the glory of the Lord endure for ever; ♦
may the Lord rejoice in his works;

Refrain: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.

Creator God,
send your Holy Spirit to renew this living world,
that the whole creation,
in its groaning and striving,
may know your loving purpose
and come to reflect your glory;
in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 134

Refrain: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

1Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord, ♦
you that by night stand in the house of the Lord.

2Lift up your hands towards the sanctuary ♦
and bless the Lord.

3The Lord who made heaven and earth ♦
give you blessing out of Zion.

Refrain: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Guard all your household, Lord,
through the dark night of faith,
and purify the hearts of those who wait on you,
until your kingdom dawns with the
rising of your Son,
Christ, the morning star.

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

Scripture Reading

You, O Lord, are in the midst of us, and we are called by your name;
leave us not, O Lord our God!

Jeremiah 14.9

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.