Although I will be using this ritual at Deanery Chapter tomorrow, I am tempted to use it tonight bathed in candlelight just prior to Compline.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdOHVgPrOO0

In that wonderful atmosphere, bathed in the candlelight, we shared the Night Prayer. It was lovely.

An Order for Night Prayer (Compline)

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 be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

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

Psalm 4

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness;  *
you set me at liberty when I was in trouble; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

2 How long will you nobles dishonour my glory;  *
how long will you love vain things and seek after falsehood?

3 But know that the Lord has shown me his marvellous kindness;  *
when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.

4 Stand in awe, and sin not;  *
commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still.

5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness  *
and put your trust in the Lord.

6 There are many that say, ‘Who will show us any good?’  *
Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon us.

7 You have put gladness in my heart,  *
more than when their corn and wine and oil increase.

8 In peace I will lie down and sleep,  *
for it is you Lord, only, who make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 134

1 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,  *
you that by night stand in the house of the Lord.

2 Lift up your hands towards the sanctuary  *
and bless the Lord.

3 The Lord who made heaven and earth  *
give you blessing out of Zion.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.

Scripture Reading

You, O Lord, are in the midst of us and we are called by your name; leave us not, O Lord our God.

Jeremiah 14.9

Responsory

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 be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

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

Gospel Canticle

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

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

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end.  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.

Collect

Almighty God,
may we, by the prayer and discipline of Lent,
enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings;
that by following in the Way, we may come to share in the glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

Silence may be kept.

Intercessions

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.

Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be 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.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

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.