Prayer at the end of the day: Compline
This order was released by the Commission on Worship in 1989 in a duplicated booklet for trial use in the LCA. Since then it has been revised for inclusion in the handbook of pastoral rites and resources.
NOTES
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Compline, originally one of the ancient daily offices of the hours, is a brief devotional service. It consists of psalmody, a brief Scripture reading, and prayers; it has no sermon.
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This order is suitable for use in the home before retiring to bed. It may be adapted for closing a retreat or a meeting at night.
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It may be led by a layperson.
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The hymn included in this order may be sung to the tune of Tallis’ Canon. It is a Latin hymn translated by John Kleinig and David Schubert.
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OUTLINE OF THE ORDER
Preparation
Confession of sins
Opening sentences
Psalm
Hymn
Brief reading
Responses
Song of Simeon
Prayers
Blessing
Prayer at the end of the day: Compline
PREPARATION
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and peace at the end.
Amen.
Be alert, watch out! Your enemy, the devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
O Lord, have mercy on us.
Thanks be to God.
CONFESSION OF SINS
EITHER
Let us confess our sins in the presence of God and of each other.
We confess to you, almighty God,
before the whole company of heaven,
and to each other,
that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed,
by our own fault.
Have mercy on us, for Jesus’ sake,
forgive us all our sins,
and bring us to eternal life. Amen.
May the almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon and forgiveness of all our sins.
Amen.
Restore us again, O God our Saviour.
Do not be angry with us any longer.
OR
I confess to almighty God,
before the whole company of heaven,
and to you, brothers and sisters,
that I have sinned in thought, word, and deed,
by my own fault.
Therefore, I beg you, brothers and sisters,
pray to the Lord our God for me.
May almighty God have mercy on you for Jesus’ sake,
forgive you all your sins,
and bring you to eternal life.
Amen.
We confess to almighty God,
before the whole company of heaven,
and to you, brother/sister,
that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed,
by our own fault.
Therefore, we beg you, brother/sister,
pray to the Lord our God for us.
May almighty God have mercy on you for Jesus’ sake,
forgive you all your sins,
and bring you to eternal life.
Amen.
Restore us again, O God our Saviour.
Do not be angry with us any longer.
OPENING SENTENCES
O God, deliver me.
O Lord, be quick to help me.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
PSALM
Have mercy on me, O Lord,
and hear my prayer.
One of the following is sung or said.
EITHER
Psalm 4
Answer me when I pray,
O God, my defender.
When I was in trouble, you helped me.
Be kind to me now, and hear my prayer.
How long will you people insult me?
How long will you love what is worthless and go after what is false?
Remember that the Lord has chosen the righteous for his own,
and he hears me when I call to him.
Tremble with fear and stop sinning;
think deeply about this, when you lie in silence on your beds.
Offer the right sacrifices to the Lord,
and put your trust in him.
There are many who pray:
‘Give us more blessings, O Lord. Look on us with kindness!’
But the joy that you have given me
is more than they will ever have with all their grain and wine.
When I lie down, I go to sleep in peace;
you alone, O Lord, keep me perfectly safe.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
OR
Psalm 134
Come, praise the Lord, all his servants,
all who serve in his temple at night.
Raise your hands in prayer in the temple,
and praise the Lord!
May the Lord, who made heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion!
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
OR
Another suitable psalm, such as 16, 31:1–5; 33; 34; 63; 86; 88; 91; 130; 136; 141; 143.
Have mercy on me, O Lord, and hear my prayer.
HYMN
The following, or another appropriate evening hymn, may be sung or said.
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
that in your mercy you would bless
and guard and keep us with your grace.
Defend us from the fears of night.
Put haunting dreams and powers to flight.
Tread down our enemy, and keep
our body safe, while wrapped in sleep.
Almighty Father, hear our cry,
through Jesus Christ our Lord most high.
To Father, Son, and Spirit be
all praise now and eternally.
BRIEF READING
One or more of the following are read.
You are among us, O Lord, and we bear your name; do not forsake us!
(Jer 14:9 NIV)
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
(Matt 11:28–30 NRSV)
Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried or upset; do not be afraid.
(John 14:27 TEV)
I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Rom 8:38,39 NIV)
Silence may following the reading.
RESPONSES
I put myself in your hands, Lord.
I put myself in your hands.
You have redeemed me, Lord, faithful God.
I put myself in your hands.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
I put myself in your hands.
Guard me like your own eye.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
SONG OF SIMEON
Guide us while we are awake, Lord,
and guard us while we are asleep,
so that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep we may rest with him 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.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
Guide us while we are awake, Lord,
and guard us while we are asleep,
so that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep we may rest with him in peace.
PRAYERS
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
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.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
Be gracious, Lord, this night,
and keep us free from sin.
Have mercy on us, Lord;
have mercy on us.
Let your goodness and love be with us,
as we put our hope in you.
Listen to my prayer, Lord,
and hear my cry for help.
Silent prayer may be said; then one of the following and/or other suitable prayers may be said.
EITHER
Let us pray.
Lord, be with those who live in this house; drive away the devil and remove every trap he sets; let your holy angels stay in this place to keep it in peace; and let your blessing be always in it; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
OR
Let us pray.
Lighten our 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 Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
OR
Let us pray.
O Lord, support us all the day long of this troubled life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging, a holy rest, and peace at last; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
OR
Let us pray.
Be with us, merciful God, and protect us through the silent hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world may rest on your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
OR
Let us pray.
Thank you, Father in heaven, through your Son Jesus Christ, for being good to me and protecting me today. Forgive me all the wrong things I have done. Protect me tonight. I put myself and all I have into your hands. Send your holy angel to be with me, so that the devil will have no power over me.
Amen.
OR
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, as you rested in the tomb at the evening hour, and so sanctified the grave to be a bed of hope for your people: Lead us to sorrow for our sins, which were the cause of your suffering and death; and when our bodies lie in the dust, take us to live with you; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
BLESSING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.
Amen.
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