An Order for Night Prayer (Compline) from Ascension to Pentecost  

Preparation  

Minister            The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

All                    Amen.  

Minister            Our help is in the name of the Lord

All                    who made heaven and earth.  

A period for Examen on the past day may follow.  

Minister            We reflect on the day: For the love shared

All                    We are grateful

Minister            For provision and nurture

All                    We are grateful

Minister            For kindness given

All                    We are grateful.  

Minister            For the sorrow we’ve caused,

All                    we pray for forgiveness

Minister            For injustices ignored,

All                    we pray for forgiveness.  

Minister            For the encounters with God today, in stranger and friend,

All                    We bid you welcome.

Minister            For the encounters missed today,

All                    We know that you always see us even when we don’t see you.

Minister            For tomorrow,

All                    May we see you in ways expected and unexpected.  

The following or other suitable words of penitence may be used

All                    Most 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  raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.  

Minister            O God, make speed to save us.

All                    O Lord, make haste to help us.                        

Glory 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 another 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. The following psalm may be used.  

Psalm 86  

R:                     All nations you have made shall come and worship you, O Lord.  

1        Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and in misery.  

2        Preserve my soul, for I am faithful; save your servant, for I put my trust in you.  

3        Be merciful to me, O Lord, for you are my God; I call upon you all the day long.  

4        Gladden the soul of your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.   

5        For you, Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.  

6        Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer and listen to the voice of my supplication.  

7        In the day of my distress I will call upon you, for you will answer me. R  

8        Among the gods there is none like you, O Lord, nor any works like yours.  

9        All nations you have made shall come and worship you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name.  

10      For you are great and do wonderful things; you alone are God. R  

11      Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; knit my heart to you, that I may fear your name.  

12      I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and glorify your name for evermore;  

13      For great is your steadfast love towards me, for you have delivered my soul from the depths of the grave. R  

14      O God, the proud rise up against me and a ruthless horde seek after my life; they have not set you before their eyes.  

15      But you, Lord, are gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and full of kindness and truth.  

16      Turn to me and have mercy upon me; give your strength to your servant and save the child of your handmaid.  

17      Show me a token of your favour, that those who hate me may see it and be ashamed; because you, O Lord, have helped and comforted me.                                    

R:         All nations you have made shall come and worship you, O Lord.  

God of mercy, who in your great love drew your Son from the depths of the Pit, bring your people from death to life, that we may rejoice in your compassion and praise you now and for ever.

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

All                    Glory 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.

Short Reading: the following or some other

I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. The old shall dream dreams and the young shall see visions. Joel 2.28  

The following responsory may be said

Minister            Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

All                   Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Minister             For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.

All                    I commend my spirit.  

Minister            Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

All                   Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.  

Minister            Keep me as the apple of your eye.

All                    Hide me under the shadow of your wings.  

Gospel Canticle - The Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon) is said

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.  

1    Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:  ♦ your word has been fulfilled.

2    My own eyes have seen the salvation  ♦ which you have prepared in the sight of every people;

3    A light to reveal you to the nations  ♦ and the glory of your people Israel. Luke 2.29-32

All        Glory 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.     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.

The Prayers

Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here.  

The Collect

Minister            Grant, we pray, almighty God, that as we believe your only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens, so we in heart and mind may also ascend and with him continually dwell; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. All                    Amen.  

The Lord’s Prayer  

Minister            Gathering our prayers and praises into one, let us pray as our Saviour taught us, All                    Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.  

The Conclusion

Minister            In peace we will lie down and sleep;

All                    for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.  

Minister            Abide with us, Lord Jesus,

All                    for the night is at hand and the day is now past.  

Minister            As the night watch looks for the morning,

All                    so do we look for you, O Christ.                        

Minister            May the Holy Spirit of God bless and sanctify us so that we may be consecrated in the truth.

All                    Amen.