All Saints’ Church Renhold Bedfordshire, England


An Order for Night Prayer (Compline)
Wednesday, 11 October 2023
Ethelburga, Abbess of Barking, 675 [Commemoration]
James the Deacon, companion of Paulinus, 7th century [Commemoration]

Preparation

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

Our help is in the name of the Lord
who made heaven and earth.

A period of silence for reflection on the past day may follow.

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
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen. 

O God, make speed to save us.
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 hymn is said in the form of a prayer.

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 31 vv 1-5, [19-end]

Into your hands I commend my spirit.

In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; 
deliver me in your righteousness.

Incline your ear to me; 
make haste to deliver me.

Be my strong rock, a fortress to save me,
for you are my rock and my stronghold; 
guide me, and lead me for your name’s sake.

Take me out of the net
that they have laid secretly for me, 
for you are my strength.

Into your hands I commend my spirit, 
for you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth. R

How abundant is your goodness, O Lord,
which you have laid up for those who fear you; 
which you have prepared in the sight of all
for those who put their trust in you.

You hide them in the shelter of your presence
from those who slander them; 
you keep them safe in your refuge from the strife of tongues.

Blessed be the Lord! 
For he has shown me his steadfast love
when I was as a city besieged.

I had said in my alarm,
‘I have been cut off from the sight of your eyes.’ 
Nevertheless, you heard the voice of my prayer
when I cried out to you. R

Love the Lord, all you his servants; 
for the Lord protects the faithful,
but repays to the full the proud.

Be strong and let your heart take courage, 
all you who wait in hope for the Lord.]

Into your hands I commend my spirit.

Lord Jesus Christ,
when scorn and shame besiege us
and hope is veiled in grief,
hold us in your wounded hands
and make your face shine on us again,
for you are our Lord and God.

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. 

Scripture Reading

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that he may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5.6,7

The following responsory may be said

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


For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
I commend my spirit.


Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me under the shadow of your wings.

Gospel Canticle

The Nunc Dimittis (Song of Simeon) is said.

Refrain:

Save us, O Lord, while waking, 
and guard us while sleeping, 
that awake we may watch with Christ 
and asleep may rest in peace. 

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

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

A light to reveal you to the nations 
and the glory of your people Israel.

Luke 2.29-32

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.

Refrain:

Save us, O Lord, while waking, 
and guard us while sleeping, 
that awake we may watch with Christ 
and asleep may rest in peace. 

Prayers

Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here.


Suggest: Prayers for church; World, Community, sick, those who have died and ourselves



The Collect

Silence may be kept.

Almighty and everlasting God,
increase in us your gift of faith
that, forsaking what lies behind
and reaching out to that which is before,
we may run the way of your commandments
and win the crown of everlasting joy;
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. 
Amen.

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. 
Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer may be said.

The Conclusion

In peace we will lie down and sleep;
for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.

Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
for the night is at hand and the day is now past.

As the night watch looks for the morning,
so do we look for you, O Christ.

[Come with the dawning of the day
and make yourself known in the breaking of the bread.]

The Lord bless us and watch over us;
the Lord make his face shine upon us and be gracious to us;
the Lord look kindly on us and give us peace.
Amen.