An Order for Night Prayer (Compline) — Sunday, 8 November 2026 — The Third Sunday before Advent

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.

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. Alleluia.

The following or other 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

Psalmody

Psalm 104 vv1, 21-33

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, how excellent is your greatness!

21 You appointed the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows the time for its setting.

22 You make darkness that it may be night, in which all the beasts of the forest creep forth.

23 The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.

24 The sun rises and they are gone to lay themselves down in their dens.

25 People go forth to their work and to their labour until the evening.

26 O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.

27 There is the sea, spread far and wide, and there move creatures beyond number, both small and great.

28 There go the ships, and there is that Leviathan which you have made to play in the deep.

29 All of these look to you to give them their food in due season.

30 When you give it them, they gather it; you open your hand and they are filled with good.

31 When you hide your face they are troubled; when you take away their breath, they die and return again to the dust.

32 When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.

33 May the glory of the Lord endure for ever; may the Lord rejoice in his works;

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.

Creator God, send your Holy Spirit to renew this living world, that the whole creation, in its groaning and striving, may know your loving purpose and come to reflect your glory; in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 134

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

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.

Bless the Lord, O my soul.

Guard all your household, Lord, through the dark night of faith, and purify the hearts of those who wait on you, until your kingdom dawns with the rising of your Son, Christ, the morning star.

At the end of the psalmody the following is said or sung

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.

Scripture Reading

The one who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the world, as a testimony to all the nations.

Matthew 24.13,14a

The following responsory may be said

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.

Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings.

Gospel Canticle

The Nunc Dimittis (Song of Simeon) is said or sung.

O King most blessed, on the day of judgement number us among your chosen.

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.

O King most blessed, on the day of judgement number us among your chosen.

Prayers

Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here.

The Collect

Silence may be kept.

Almighty Father, whose will is to restore all things in your beloved Son, the King of all: govern the hearts and minds of those in authority, and bring the families of the nations, divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin, to be subject to his just and gentle rule; who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

or

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, bring us to the dwelling which your Son is preparing for all who love you; give us the will each day to live in life eternal; let our citizenship be in heaven with the blessed, with the whole company of the redeemed and with countless angels, praising, worshipping and adoring your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who sits upon the throne for ever and ever. Amen.

or

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.

The Lord’s Prayer may be said.

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.]

May the light of Christ, the King of all, shine ever brighter in our hearts, that with all the saints in light we may shine forth as lights in the world.

© The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2000–2005 Official Common Worship apps, books and eBooks are available from Church House Publishing.

The Bible readings (other than the psalms) are from The New Revised Standard Version Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Implemented by Simon Kershaw at Crucix. Implementation copyright © Simon Kershaw, 2002–2021.