Compline — At the Close of Day
Almighty God, on this day, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, you revealed the way of eternal life to every race and nation: Pour out this gift anew, that by the preaching of the Gospel your salvation may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
or this
O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
All standing.
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest;
For you, Lord, only, make me dwell in safety.
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night
And peace at the last.
All sitting.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Our help is in the name of the Lord!
Who made heaven and earth!
I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.
And you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
All kneeling.
Hear our prayer, O Lord:
You know our transgressions, O Lord, and our sins are ever before you. Against you only, O Lord, have we sinned, and done what is evil in your sight. We were brought forth in iniquity and in sin did our mothers conceive us. Create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us. Do not cast us away from your presence.
Therefore, let everyone who is godly offer prayer to God at a time when he may be found.
All standing.
Grant to your faithful people, merciful Lord, pardon and peace; that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen, amen.
Now, as we have confessed our sins together, let us confess our faith with the generations. Christian, what do you believe?
I believe in God the Father Almighty; Maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the virgin, Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hades. On the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
65. What does it mean that Jesus ascended into heaven?
After his work on earth was done, he returned to heaven to prepare a place for us and to intercede for us as our advocate. He is now seated at the right hand of his Father, and all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to him. His ascension is a great comfort to us because it means one who shares our very nature – our own flesh, made from the dust of the earth – has entered heaven, so that we now have access to the Father’s throne of grace. Since the head, Jesus, is in heaven, we can be sure that all the members of his body will be taken there as well.
66. Will Jesus come again?
Yes, Jesus will come again in power and glory to judge all people according to their deeds and to complete his work of salvation by raising us from the dead, so even our bodies will share in his new life. For now, he remains with us through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav'nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
For the word of God is living and powerful,
Sharper than any two-edged sword,
Piercing even to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and marrow,
Discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
Taught by our Lord and trusting his promises, we are bold to pray:
Our Father which 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
The Song of Simeon.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
According to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles,
And to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. 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.
The almighty and merciful Lord — Father, Son, and Holy Ghost — bless us and keep us, this night and evermore.
Amen.