Night Prayer (Compline) in Contemporary Language

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An Order for Night Prayer (Compline)
Monday, 3 November 2025
Commemoration of the Faithful Departed (All Souls’ Day) [Lesser Festival]
Richard Hooker, Priest, Anglican Apologist, Teacher of the Faith, 1600 [Lesser Festival]
Martin of Porres, Friar, 1639 [Commemoration]

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 4

Refrain: In peace I will lie down and sleep.

1Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness; ♦
you set me at liberty when I was in trouble;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

2How long will you nobles dishonour my glory; ♦
how long will you love vain things and seek after falsehood?

3But know that the Lord has shown me his marvellous kindness; ♦
when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.

4Stand in awe, and sin not; ♦
commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. R

5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness ♦
and put your trust in the Lord.

6There are many that say, ‘Who will show us any good?’ ♦
Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon us.

7You have put gladness in my heart, ♦
more than when their corn and wine and oil increase.

8In peace I will lie down and sleep, ♦
for it is you Lord, only, who make me dwell in safety.

Refrain: In peace I will lie down and sleep.

Give us today, O God,
a glad heart and a clear conscience,
that when we come to this day’s end
we may rest in peace with Christ our Lord.

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

The one who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations.

Matthew 24.13,14a

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.

AllO King most blessed,
on the day of judgement
number us among your chosen.

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.

AllO King most blessed,
on the day of judgement
number us among your chosen.

Prayers

Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here.

The Collect

Silence may be kept.

God of peace, the bond of all love,
who in your Son Jesus Christ have made the human race
your inseparable dwelling place:
after the example of your servant Richard Hooker,
give grace to us your servants ever to rejoice
in the true inheritance of your adopted children
and to show forth your praises now and ever;
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.

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
bring us to the dwelling which your Son is preparing
for all who love you;
give us the will each day to live in life eternal;
let our citizenship be in heaven with the blessed,
with the whole company of the redeemed
and with countless angels,
praising, worshipping and adoring your Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
who sits upon the throne for ever and ever.
AllAmen.

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.]

May the light of Christ, the King of all,
shine ever brighter in our hearts,
that with all the saints in light
we may shine forth as lights in the world.

© The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2000–2005
Official Common Worship apps, books and eBooks are available from Church House Publishing.

The Bible readings (other than the psalms) are from The New Revised Standard Version Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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