Night Prayers
Compline: Night Prayer, or the Prayer at the End of the Day, is the final church service (or office) of the day in the Christian tradition of canonical hours. The English word compline is derived from the Latin completorium, as Compline is the completion of the working day.
Join us on Thursday evenings at 9:00 pm, when the link above will be active. You may follow along below. If you have a Book of Common Prayer, the liturgy begins on page 127. If you don't have a BCP, we have copies available for each household to pick up, or we can deliver one to you. Just let us know.
Following Compline, join us for fellowship via zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88572042666?pwd=TXlJbGRtczVrTkpROTFxWHBzSG90UT09
Meeting ID: 308 741 410 Password: 1710
You may also dial in using your telephone: 1-312-626-6799
An Order for Compline
The Officiant begins The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.
Officiant Our help is in the Name of the Lord,
People The maker of heaven and earth.
The Officiant may then say Let us confess our sins to God. Silence may be kept.
Officiant and People
Almighty God, our heavenly Father: We have sinned against you, through our own fault,
in thought, and word, and deed, and in what we have left undone.
For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us all our offenses;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Officiant May the Almighty God grant us forgiveness of all our sins, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen. O God, make speed to save us.
People O Lord, make haste to help us.
Officiant and People Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Except in Lent, add Alleluia.
One or more of the following Psalms are sung or said. Other suitable selections may be substituted.
Psalm 4 Cum invocarem
1 Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; you set me free when I am hard-pressed;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2 "You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; *how long will you worship dumb idols
and run after false gods?"
3 Know that the LORD does wonders for the faithful; * when I call upon the LORD, he will hear me.
4 Tremble, then, and do not sin; *speak to your heart in silence upon your bed.
5 Offer the appointed sacrifices * and put your trust in the LORD.
6 Many are saying, "Oh, that we might see better times!" *
Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O LORD.
7 You have put gladness in my heart, * more than when grain and wine and oil increase.
8 I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; * for only you, LORD, make me dwell in safety
Psalm 31 In te, Domine, speravi
1 In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge, let me never be put to shame: *
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Incline your ear to me; * make haste to deliver me.
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.
4 Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, * for you are my tower of strength.
5 Into your hands I commend my spirit, * for you have redeemed me, O LORD, O God of truth.
At the end of the Psalms is sung or said
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
One of the following, or some other suitable passage of Scripture, is read
Lord, you are in the midst of us, and we are called by your
Name: Do not forsake us, O Lord our God. Jeremiah 14:9,22
People Thanks be to God.
or this Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30
People Thanks be to God.
Then follows
V. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
R. For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
V. Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye;
R. Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Officiant and People Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Officiant Lord, hear our prayer;
People And let our cry come to you.
Officiant Let us pray.
The Officiant then says one of the following Collects
Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The following prayer may be added
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless
the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.
Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered.
The service concludes with this Antiphon, which is sung or said by all
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep we may rest in peace.
Lord, you now have set your servant free * to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, * whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, * and the glory of your people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: * as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
All repeat the Antiphon
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
In Easter Season, add Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Officiant Let us bless the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Officiant concludes The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
bless us and keep us. Amen.
