To join Zoom compline, please write theadvocatechurch@gmail.com.
Compline marks the day in peace as reflected in this portion of our beautiful night prayer:
All loving God, it is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in your presence.
Each evening (join whatever evenings you can – no commitment required) at 8:30pm via zoom.
An Order for Compline
From the Book of Common Prayer p. 127 – 135, except otherwise noted.
All are unmuted and with videos on.
The Officiant begins
The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end.
People: 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 the forgiveness of all our sins,
and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Officiant then says
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.
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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 God does wonders for the faithful;
when I call, God 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 Most High.
6 Many are saying, “Oh, that we might see better times!” *
Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O God.
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, God, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 16 Conserva me, Domine
7 I will bless you, O God who gives me counsel; *
my heart teaches me, night after night.
8 I have set you always before me; *
because you are at my right hand I shall not fall.
9 My heart, therefore, is glad and my spirit rejoices; *
my body also shall rest in hope.
10 For you will not abandon me to the grave, *
nor let your holy one see the Pit.
11 You will show me the path of life; *
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
Psalm 23 Dominus regit me
1 O God, you are my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
2 You make me lie down in green pastures *
and lead me beside still waters.
3 You revive my soul *
and guide me along right pathways
for the sake of your name.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil, *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those
who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of God for ever.
Psalm 31 In te, Domine, speravi
1 In you, O God, 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 God of truth.
Psalm 91 Qui habitat
1 They who dwell in the shelter of the Most High *
abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 They shall say to God,
“You are my refuge and my stronghold, *
my God in whom I put my trust.”
3 For God shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter *
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 God’s pinions shall cover you,
and under God’s wings you shall find refuge; *
God’s faithfulness shall be a shield and a buckler.
5 You shall not be afraid of any terror by night, *
nor of the arrow that flies by day;
6 Of the plague that stalks in the darkness, *
nor of the sickness that lays waste at mid-day.
7 A thousand shall fall at your side
and ten thousand at your right hand, *
but it shall not come near you.
8 Your eyes only have to behold *
to see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because you have made God your refuge, *
and the Most High your habitation,
10 There shall no evil happen to you, *
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
11 For God shall give the angels charge over you, *
to keep you in all your ways.
12 They shall bear you in their hands, *
lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13 You shall tread upon the lion and the adder, *
you shall trample the young lion and the serpent
under your feet.
14 Because you are bound to me in love,
therefore will I deliver you; *
I will protect you, because you know my Name.
15 You shall call upon me, and I will answer you; *
I am with you in trouble;
I will rescue you and bring you honor.
16 With long life will I satisfy you, *
and show you my salvation.
Psalm 121 Laetatus sum
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from God, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
3 God will not let your foot be moved; *
the One who watches over you will not fall asleep.
4 Behold, the One who keeps watch over Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep;
5 The Holy One watches over you *
and is your shade at your right hand,
6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
nor the moon by night.
7 God shall preserve you from all evil, *
and is the One who shall keep you safe.
8 God shall watch over your going out and your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.
Psalm 134 Ecce nunc
1 Behold now, bless God, all you servants of God, *
you that stand by night in the house of God.
2 Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless God; *
God who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.
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.
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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
Therefore do not worry, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear?” For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today. Matthew 6:31-34
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.
or this
But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back. Luke 6:27-38
People: Thanks be to God.
or this
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
People: Thanks be to God.
or this
For it is the God who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. 2 Corinthians 4:6-10
People: Thanks be to God.
or this
I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19
People: Thanks be to God.
or this
… for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7
People: Thanks be to God.
or this
May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you
may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Hebrews 13:20-21
People: Thanks be to God.
or this
Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith. 1 Peter 5:8-9a
People: Thanks be to God.
or this
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. 1 John 4:18-20
People: Thanks be to God.
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A hymn suitable for the evening may be sung.
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 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.
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.
Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, and illumine this night with your celestial brightness; that by night as by day your people may glorify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
One of the following prayers 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.
or this
O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live:
Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep,
and grant that we may never forget that our common life
depends upon each other’s toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings may be
offered.
The service concludes with the Song of Simeon with this Antiphon, which
is sung or said by all or with the prayer and benediction from New Zealand Night Prayer.
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.
Night Prayer from New Zealand
A Reader:
All loving God,
it is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in your presence.
It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.
The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.
The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all who are dear to us,
and all who have no peace.
The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.
In your name we pray.
Amen.
Benediction from New Zealand Night Prayer
Officiant:
Good friends,
Go forth into the world in peace;
be of good courage;
Render to no one evil for evil.
Hold fast that which is good;
strengthen the fainthearted;
help the afflicted;
honor and respect the dignity of everyone;
and rejoice in the power of the Spirit
In us,
and beyond us all.
Amen