Compline — At the Close of Day
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, 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.
All kneeling (if able). Private confession is made silently unto God for any sins committed that day. After private confession, a corporate prayer can be said together.
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. Cleanse us and create in us a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within us that we might sin no more this day.
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.
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.
The catechisms for this week may be practiced and reviewed after the Creed.
67. Must you fear the coming day of judgment?
When Jesus comes again, his enemies – those who do not love and trust him – will be condemned to everlasting punishment in hell. But I do not fear judgment day; in fact, I confidently await that day because Jesus has already stood trial in my place and removed the curse from me. The faith-filled good works he has enabled me to do will prove I have a share in his blessed inheritance.
68. When was the Holy Spirit given to the first Christians?
On the day of Pentecost, the Father and the Son poured out the Holy Spirit – the promised Gift of gifts – and the new creation began to be revealed.
The Doxology may be said responsively or sung together.
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.
The readings from the daily office are presented in two parts for each half of the day. The same readings are offered at morning and mid-day so the reader can go through them all in one sitting or break them up into two sittings. The same is done for the readings the second half of the day.
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.