Brother, Sister, Let me serve you

 

Brother, sister, let me serve you,

let me be as Christ to you;

pray that I may have the grace to

let you be my servant, too.

​

We are pilgrims on a journey,

fellow trav'llers on the road;

we are here to help each other

walk the mile and bear the load.

​

I will hold the Christlight for you

in the night-time of your fear;

I will hold my hand out to you,

speak the peace you long to hear.
 

I will weep when you are weeping;

when you laugh, I'll laugh with you.

I will share your joy and sorrow

till we've seen this journey through.

​

When we sing to God in heaven,

we shall find such harmony,

born of all we've known together

of Christ's love and agony.

​

Brother, sister, let me serve you,

let me be as Christ to you;

pray that I may have the grace to

let you be my servant, too.

​

Richard Gillard © 1977 Scripture in Song, a division of Integrity Music / Sovereign Music UK

​

​

The Order of Compline

 

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.

The following or other suitable words of penitence may be used

​

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.

 

Hymn

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

​

Psalmody & Scripture Reading

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

​

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.

​

Gospel Canticle

The Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon) is said or sung

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 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.

​

Prayers

Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here.

​

The Collect

​

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.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.

​

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.

​

Daily variations for Night Prayer

Sunday

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.

 

Short Reading: the following or some other

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

Cycle of Intercessions

The universal Church

       Bishops, synods and all who lead the Church

       The leaders of the nations

       The natural world and the resources of the earth

       All who are in any kind of need

​

Collect

Almighty God,

by triumphing over the powers of darkness

Christ has prepared a place for us in the new Jerusalem:

may we, who have this day given thanks for his resurrection,

praise him in the eternal city

of which he is the light;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

​

Monday

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.

​

Short Reading: the following or some other

Thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: In returning and rest you

shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.

Isaiah 30.15

Cycle of Intercessions

The media and the arts

       Farming and fishing

Commerce and industry

       Those whose work is unfulfilling, stressful or fraught with danger

       All who are unemployed

​

Collect

Be present, O 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 upon your eternal changelessness;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

​

Tuesday

Psalm 14

1    The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’  ♦

Corrupt are they, and abominable in their wickedness;

    there is no one that does good.

2    The Lord has looked down from heaven

    upon the children of earth,  ♦

to see if there is anyone who is wise

    and seeks after God.

3    But every one has turned back;

    all alike have become corrupt:  ♦

there is none that does good; no, not one.

4    Have they no knowledge, those evildoers,  ♦

who eat up my people as if they ate bread

    and do not call upon the Lord?

5    There shall they be in great fear;  ♦

for God is in the company of the righteous.

6    Though they would confound the counsel of the poor,  ♦

yet the Lord shall be their refuge.

7    O that Israel’s salvation would come out of Zion!  ♦

When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,

    then will Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad.

 

Short Reading: the following or some other

Jesus said, ‘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.’

Matthew 11.28-end

Cycle of Intercessions

All who are sick in body, mind or spirit

       Those in the midst of famine or disaster

       Victims of abuse and violence, intolerance and prejudice

       Those who are bereaved

       All who work in the medical and healing professions

​

Collect

Look down, O God, from your heavenly throne,

illuminate the darkness of this night with your celestial brightness,

and from the children of light banish the deeds of darkness;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

​

Wednesday

Psalm 31.1-5

1     In you, O Lord, 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 fortress to save me,

       for you are my rock and my stronghold;  

guide me, and lead me for your name’s sake.

4     Take me out of the net

       that they have laid secretly for me,  

for you are my strength.

5     Into your hands I commend my spirit,  

for you have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.

 

Short Reading: the following or some other

Humble yourselves 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

Cycle of Intercessions

The social services

       All who work in the criminal justice system

       Victims and perpetrators of crime

       The work of aid agencies throughout the world

       Those living in poverty or under oppression

​

Collect

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.

​

Thursday

Psalm 16

1     Preserve me, O God, for in you have I taken refuge;  

I have said to the Lord, ‘You are my lord,

       all my good depends on you.’

2     All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land,  

upon those who are noble in heart.

3     Though the idols are legion that many run after,  

their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,

       neither make mention of their names upon my lips.

4     The Lord himself is my portion and my cup;  

in your hands alone is my fortune.

5     My share has fallen in a fair land;  

indeed, I have a goodly heritage.

6     I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel,  

and in the night watches he instructs my heart.

7     I have set the Lord always before me;  

he is at my right hand; I shall not fall.

8     Wherefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices;  

my flesh also shall rest secure.

9     For you will not abandon my soul to Death,  

nor suffer your faithful one to see the Pit.

10   You will show me the path of life;

       in your presence is the fullness of joy  

and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

 

Short Reading: the following or some other

Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil is prowling round

like a roaring lion, seeking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in the faith.

1 Peter 5.8, 9

Cycle of Intercessions

Local government, community leaders

       All who provide local services

       Those who work with young or elderly people

       Schools, colleges and universities

       Emergency and rescue organizations

​

Collect

Keep watch, dear Lord,

with those who wake, or watch, or weep this night,

and give your angels charge over those who sleep.

Tend the sick,

give rest to the weary,

sustain the dying,

calm the suffering,

and pity the distressed;

all for your love’s sake, O Christ our Redeemer.

​

Friday

Psalm 139.1-18

1     O Lord, you have searched me out and known me;  

you know my sitting down and my rising up;

       you discern my thoughts from afar.

2     You mark out my journeys and my resting place  

and are acquainted with all my ways.

3     For there is not a word on my tongue,  

but you, O Lord, know it altogether.

4     You encompass me behind and before  

and lay your hand upon me.

5     Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,  

so high that I cannot attain it.

6     Where can I go then from your spirit?  

Or where can I flee from your presence?

7     If I climb up to heaven, you are there;  

if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.

8     If I take the wings of the morning  

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

9     Even there your hand shall lead me,  

your right hand hold me fast.

10   If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will cover me  

and the light around me turn to night,’

11   Even darkness is no darkness with you;

       the night is as clear as the day;  

darkness and light to you are both alike.

12   For you yourself created my inmost parts;  

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

13   I thank you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  

marvellous are your works, my soul knows well.

14   My frame was not hidden from you,  

when I was made in secret

       and woven in the depths of the earth.

15   Your eyes beheld my form, as yet unfinished;  

already in your book were all my members written,

16   As day by day they were fashioned  

when as yet there was none of them.

17   How deep are your counsels to me, O God!  

How great is the sum of them!

18   If I count them, they are more in number than the sand,  

and at the end, I am still in your presence.

 

Short Reading: the following or some other

God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our

Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep

we may live with him.

1 Thessalonians 5.9, 10

Cycle of Intercessions

The Queen, members of parliament and the armed forces

       Peace and justice in the world

       Those who work for reconciliation

       All whose lives are devastated by war and civil strife

       Prisoners, refugees and homeless people

​

Collect

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,

who at this evening hour lay in the tomb

and so hallowed the grave

to be a bed of hope for all who put their trust in you:

give us such sorrow for our sins,

which were the cause of your passion,

that when our bodies lie in the dust,

our souls may live with you for ever.

​

Saturday

Psalm 91

1     Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High  

and abides under the shadow of the Almighty,

2     Shall say to the Lord, ‘My refuge and my stronghold,  

my God, in whom I put my trust.’

3     For he shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler  

and from the deadly pestilence.

4     He shall cover you with his wings

       and you shall be safe under his feathers;  

his faithfulness shall be your shield and buckler.

5     You shall not be afraid of any terror by night,  

nor of the arrow that flies by day;

6     Of the pestilence that stalks in darkness,  

nor of the sickness that destroys at noonday.

7     Though a thousand fall at your side

       and ten thousand at your right hand,  

yet it shall not come near you.

8     Your eyes have only to behold  

to see the reward of the wicked.

9     Because you have made the Lord your refuge 

and the Most High your stronghold,

10   There shall no evil happen to you,  

neither shall any plague come near your tent.

11   For he shall give his 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 adder;  

the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

14   Because they have set their love upon me,

       therefore will I deliver them;  

I will lift them up, because they know my name.

15   They will call upon me and I will answer them;  

I am with them in trouble,

       I will deliver them and bring them to honour.

16   With long life will I satisfy them  

and show them my salvation.

 

Short Reading: the following or some other

A sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; for those who enter

God’s rest also cease from their labours as God did from his. Let us

therefore make every effort to enter that rest.

Hebrews 4.9-11a

Cycle of Intercessions

Our homes, families, friends and all whom we love

       Those whose time is spent caring for others

       Those who are close to death

       Those who have lost hope

       The worship of the Church

​

Collect

Stay with us, O God, this night,

so that by your strength

we may rise with the new day

to rejoice in the resurrection of your Son,

Jesus Christ our Saviour.