COMPLINE
an order for prayer at the end of the day

OPENING ANTHEMS

At the burning of incense :

Let my prayer be set forth in your sight as incense;
 the lifting of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

At the lighting of candles, one of the following anthems is said or sung:

 1.
You, O Lord, are my lamp;
 my God, you make my darkness bright.
You, O Lord, are my lamp;
 my God, you make my darkness bright.
You have been my helper:
 My God, you make my darkness bright.
Glory to the Maker, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit:
You, O Lord, are my lamp;
 my God, you make my darkness bright.

Let my prayer be set forth, O Lord:
as incense in your sight.

I will bless the Lord at all times:
 God's praise shall ever be in my mouth.

Abide with us, O Lord:
for it is toward evening.

The sun knows the time of its setting:
you make darkness that it may be night.

Come and save us, O Lord God of hosts:
 come and save us, O Lord God of hosts.
Show the light of your face, and we shall be healed:
O Lord God of hosts.
Glory to the Maker, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit:
 come and save us, O Lord God of hosts.

Show us your mercy, O Lord:
 and grant us your salvation.

The Word was made flesh; alleluia, alleluia!
 the Word was made flesh; alleluia, alleluia!
And dwelt in our midst:
alleluia, alleluia!
Glory to the Maker, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit;
 the Word was made flesh; alleluia, alleluia!

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord; alleluia!
 God the Lord has shined upon us; alleluia!

All nations shall be blessed in him and do him service:
 all nations shall be blessed in him and do him service.
All rulers shall bow down before him:
and do him service.
Glory to the Maker, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit;
 all nations shall be blessed in him and do him service.

The kings of the east and the west shall pay tribute:
the kings of the north and the south shall offer gifts.

I make my prayer to you, O God; be merciful to me.
 I make my prayer to you, O God; be merciful to me.
Heal my soul, for I have sinned against you:
Be merciful to me.
Glory to the Maker, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit;
 I make my prayer to you, O God; be merciful to me.

Create in me a clean heart, O God:
And renew a right spirit within me.

The Lord is risen from the tomb; alleluia, alleluia!
 the Lord is risen from the tomb; alleluia, alleluia!
Who for our sake hung upon the tree:
alleluia, alleluia!
Glory to the Maker, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit;
 the Lord is risen from the tomb; alleluia, alleluia!

The disciples were glad; alleluia!
When they saw the risen Lord; alleluia!

God has gone up with a shout; alleluia, alleluia!
 God has gone up with a shout; alleluia, alleluia!
The Lord with the sound of trumpets:
alleluia, alleluia!
Glory to the Maker, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit;
God has gone up with a shout; alleluia, alleluia!

When Christ ascended on high, alleluia!
 captivity was led captive; alleluia!

The Spirit of the Lord fills the whole world, alleluia, alleluia!
 the Spirit of the Lord fills the whole world; alleluia, alleluia!
The Spirit who searches even the depths of God:
alleluia, alleluia!
Glory to the Maker, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit;
the Spirit of the Lord fills the whole world; alleluia, alleluia!

The apostles spoke in other tongues; alleluia!
 The wonderful works of God; alleluia!

Glory to you, O Lord, in the hight vault of heaven:
 glory to you, O Lord, in the high vault of heaven.
You are worthy of glory and praise for ever:
in the high vault of heaven.
Glory to the Maker, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit;
 glory to you, O Lord, in the high vault of heaven.

Let us glorify the Lord: Maker, Christ and Holy Spirit:
 praise and exalt the Lord for ever.

 All Saints and other Saint's days:

Let the righteous rejoice in the presence of God:
 let the righteous rejoice in the presence of God.
Let them be glad and full of joy:
in the presence of God.
Glory to the Maker, and to the Christ, and to the Holy Spirit;
 let the righteous rejoice in the presence of God.

Their sound has gone out into all the lands:
and their message to the ends of the world.
 

PRAYER OF APPROACH

The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
 Amen.

Lord Jesus, you came to call sinners to repentance:
have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus, sent to heal those who are burdened in soul:
have mercy on us.
Lord Jesus, seated at the Maker's right hand to intercede for us:
 have mercy on us.

Our help is in the name of the Lord:
 who made heaven and earth.
Glory to God, Maker, Christ and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now and for ever.
Praise the Lord!

HAIL GLADDENING LIGHT  Phos Hilaron

Hail, gladdening Light, of God's pure glory poured
Who is the immortal Maker, heavenly, blest,
Holiest of Holies, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Now we come to the sun's hour of rest,
the lights of evening around us shine,
we hymn the Maker, Christ, and Holy Spirit divine.

Worthiest are you at all times to be sung
with pure and joyful tongue,
Child of our God, giver of life, alone!
Therefore in all the world your glories, Lord, they own.

One or more of the following Psalms is said or sung:

PSALM 4

Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause:
 when I was hard-pressed you set me free;
 have mercy on me and heed my prayer.
'You mortals, how long will you dishonour my glory,
how long will you worship dumb idols and run after false gods?'
Know that the Lord does wonders for the faithful;
 when I call upon the Lord, he will hear me.
Tremble, then, and do not sin;
 commune with your heart in silence upon your bed.
Offer the appointed sacrifices
 and put your trust in the Lord.
Many are saying,
'Oh, that we might see better times!'
 Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, 0 Lord.
You have put gladness in my heart,
 more than when wine and grain and oil increase.
I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep;
 for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
 

PSALM 91

Those who dwell in the shelter of the Most High:
 who abide under the shadow of the Almighty,
They shall say to the Lord,
'You are my refuge and my stronghold:
 my God in whom I put my trust.'
'Surely I shall deliver you', says the Lord,
from the snare of the hunter:
 and from the deadly pestilence.
I shall cover you with my feathers,
and you will be safe under my wings:
my faithfulness will be your shield and defence.
You shall not be afraid of any terror by night:
nor of the arrow that flies by day;
of the pestilence that stalks in the darkness:
 nor of the plague that destroys at noon.
A thousand may fall beside you
and ten thousand at your right hand:
 but you it shall not come near.
Your eyes have only to look:
to see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the Lord your refuge:
 and the most high your stronghold,
no evil shall happen to you:
nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.
For I shall give my angels charge over you:
 to keep you in all your ways.
They will lift you up in their hands:
 lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the adder:
you will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot.
Because you are bound to me in love,
therefore I will deliver you:
 I will protect you because you know my name.
You will call upon me, and I shall answer you:
I will be with you in trouble;
I will rescue you and bring you to honour.
With long life will I satisfy you:
 and show you my salvation'.
 

PSALM 134

Come now, praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord:
 you that stand by night in the house of the Lord.
Lift up your hands in the holy place and praise the Lord:
 May the Lord bless you from Zion,
 the Lord who made heaven and earth.
 

SCRIPTURE READING

On Feasts and Solemnities, the reading is concluded with the following Anthem:

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
 Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
You have redeemed us, Lord, God of truth:
I commend my Spirit.
Glory to God; Maker, Christ and Holy Spirit:
 into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
 

THE CANTICLE OF SIMEON  Nunc Dimittis

Save us, Lord, while we are awake;
protect us while we are asleep;
 that we may keep watch with Christ
 and rest with him in peace.

Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
 your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation
 which you have prepared in the sight of every people:
a light to reveal you to the nations
and the glory of your people Israel.

Glory be to God: Maker, Christ and Holy Spirit,
 as in the beginning, so now, and for ever,
 world without end.  Amen.
 

PRAYERS

All may kneel.

Lord, have mercy
 Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy.

Prayers of thanksgiving and intercession may be offered.

The prayers are concluded with one of the following Collects:
 

Sunday:

God our Maker,
as we have celebrated today
the mystery of the Lord's resurrection,
grant our humble prayer:
free us from all harm,
that we may sleep in peace and rise in joy to sing your praise,
through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Monday:

In your mercy, Lord,
dispel the darkness of the night.
Let your household so sleep in peace
that at the dawn of a new day
they may with joy waken in your name;
through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 Tuesday

Lord, be the guest of this house;
keep far from it all the deceits of the evil one.
May your holy angels watch over us as guardians of our peace.
And may your blessing be always upon us,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

 Wednesday:

Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray:
and in your great mercy
defend us from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of our Saviour, Jesus.  Amen.

 Thursday:

Come, O Spirit of God,
and make within us your dwelling-place and home.
May our darkness be dispelled by your light,
and our troubles calmed by your peace;
may all evil be redeemed by your love,
all pain transforrned through the suffering of Christ,
and all dying glorified by his risen life.  Amen.

 Friday:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
who at this evening hour rested in the tomb,
and sanctified the grave
to be a bed of hope to your people:
make us to so abound in sorrow for our sins,
which were the cause of your passion,
that when our bodies lie in the dust we may live with you,
through the saving merits of your cross;
for you live and reign with the Maker and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Saturday:

As watchmen look for the moming
so we wait eagerly for you, O Lord.
Come with the dawning of the day
and make yourself known to us in the breaking of the bread,
for you alone are our God, for ever and ever.  Amen.
 

GLORIA & BLESSING

Let us praise the Maker, the Christ and the Holy Spirit:
let us bless and magnify God for ever.
The almighty and merciful God preserve and bless us.
 Amen.

The order may conclude with an appropriate song or chant.

Worshippers leave the place of worship in silence.