Compline: A Week of Guided Night Prayers
Monday
Reader 1
Welcomes everyone and introduces themself
Reader 2
Introduces themself
Reader 1
All this week our Night Prayers will be framed by Psalm 28:6–9. So before we pray together, let’s prepare our hearts and minds to meet with the Lord by reading his Word.
“Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them for ever.”
While these words seep through the many layers of our day to the centre of our being, we’ll hold silence.
Hold silence
Reader 1
I lay open my day, with its busyness and moments of rushing
Reader 2
I lay open my day, with its lulls and pockets of quiet
Reader 1
I lay open my day, with its stresses and times of tension
Reader 2
I lay open my day, with its smiles and bursts of joy
All
O Lord, my God
I gather these seconds, minutes and hours
And I place into your hands
My unpacked day
Reader 1
Today we turn our thoughts to the first metaphor for God in our Bible passage,
the Lord is my strength, and pray together
All
In the stillness of this night
In the stillness of my heart
I turn to you, Most High
My Lord, my God,
My strength
Reader 2
Psalm 46:1–3 says: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.”
Reader 1
Almighty, unshakable God
You are my strength.
I bring to mind the troubles
Looming large in my days and nights
And I ask for your strength
I lean into you
My refuge
Reader 2
Almighty, unshakable God
Hold these troubles for me
Carry their weight this night
And walk with me through tomorrow
As I lean into you
My refuge
All
Almighty, unshakable God
My strength
My refuge
Your will be done.
Hold silence
Reader 1
As I prepare to close my day
Would you, ever loving Lord,
Open my heart and mind
To receive your peace
Reader 2
May I, this night,
Be safe in your protection
Reader 1
May I, this night,
Be comforted in your arms
Reader 2
May I, this night,
Be joyful in your presence
All
And may the blessing of the Lord my God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Bring peace throughout this night
And all the days to come.
Amen
Tuesday
Reader 1
Welcomes everyone and introduces themself
Reader 2
Introduces themself
Reader 1
Yesterday we focused our Night Prayers on the phrase the Lord is my strength,
and each brought specific situations to the Lord, leaning on his strength and trusting his will. As we now reflect back on these things, how we held them heavily yesterday, how God walked with us through them today, how we will carry them differently into tomorrow, we’ll hold silence.
Hold silence
All this week our Night Prayers are framed by Psalm 28:6–9. So before we pray together, we’ll now prepare our hearts and minds to meet with the Lord by reading his Word.
“Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them for ever.”
While these words seep through the many layers of our day to the centre of our being, we’ll hold silence.
Hold silence
Reader 1
I lay open my day, with its busyness and moments of rushing
Reader 2
I lay open my day, with its lulls and pockets of quiet
Reader 1
I lay open my day, with its stresses and times of tension
Reader 2
I lay open my day, with its smiles and bursts of joy
All
O Lord, my God
I gather these seconds, minutes and hours
And I place into your hands
My unpacked day
Reader 1
Today we turn our thoughts to the second metaphor for God in our Bible passage,
the Lord is my shield, and pray together
All
In the stillness of this night
In the stillness of my hearts
I turn to you, Most High
My Lord, my God,
My shield
Reader 2
Psalm 3:3–5 says: “But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.”
Reader 1
Great and glorious Lord
Protector, Sustainer
Deliverer, Saviour
You are a shield around me
Reader 2
Powerful and mighty Lord
Whose hands flung stars into space
Whose arms stretched out to save me from sin
You are a shield around me
Reader 1
Ever loving Lord
My peace and my protection
I bring before you now
People and situations
Needing the protection
That only you can offer
Needing the peace
That only you can bring
All
Compassionate, gracious Lord
I lay these concerns at your feet
As I dwell within
Your encircling shield.
Hold silence
Reader 1
While all around me darkens
And all within me quietens,
I praise you and declare
Your faithfulness and majesty,
Reader 2
While I loosen my grip on the day
And prepare for the night ahead,
I thank you for the path I’ve trod,
And trust to you the path to come.
All
And may the blessing of the Lord my God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Bring peace throughout this night
And all the days to come.
Amen
Wednesday
Reader 1
Welcomes everyone and introduces themself
Reader 2
Introduces themself
Reader 1
Yesterday we focused our Night Prayers on the phrase the Lord is my shield, and each brought specific situations to the Lord, asking for his protection and peace. As we now reflect back on these things, how we held them heavily yesterday, how God walked with us through them today, how we will carry them differently into tomorrow, we’ll hold silence.
Hold silence
Reader 1
All this week our Night Prayers are framed by Psalm 28:6-9. So before we pray together, we’ll now prepare our hearts and minds to meet with the Lord by reading his Word.
“Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them for ever.”
While these words seep through the many layers of our day to the centre of our being, we’ll hold silence.
Hold silence
Reader 1
I lay open my day, with its busyness and moments of rushing
Reader 2
I lay open my day, with its lulls and pockets of quiet
Reader 1
I lay open my day, with its stresses and times of tension
Reader 2
I lay open my day, with its smiles and bursts of joy
All
O Lord, my God
I gather these seconds, minutes and hours
And I place into your hands
My unpacked day
Reader 1
Today we turn our thoughts to the third metaphor for God in our Bible passage, the Lord is my salvation, and pray together.
Reader 2
In the stillness of this night
In the stillness of my heart
I turn to you, Most High
My Lord, my God,
My salvation
Reader 2
Psalm 27:1; 13–14 says: “The LORD is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? [...] I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
Reader 1
My Lord and my Saviour
Thank you that you are
The God of healing and of grace
Reader 2
I lay before you now
People, relationships and communities
Needing your healing touch
Reader 1
Bring light where there is darkness
Bring stability where there is uncertainty
Reader 2
Bring grace where there is intolerance
Bring healing where there is brokenness
Reader 1
My Lord and my Saviour
God of healing and grace
My light and my salvation
Your kingdom come.
Hold silence
Reader 1
As I slow the pace of my day
And prepare for my night of rest
Reader 2
Draw close to me,
Ever loving Father
Reader 1
Draw close to me,
Living Saviour Son
Reader 2
Draw close to me,
Indwelling Holy Spirit
All
And may the blessing of the Lord my God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Bring peace throughout this night
And all the days to come.
Amen
Thursday
Reader 1
Welcomes everyone and introduces themself
Reader 2
Introduces themself
Reader 1
Yesterday we focused our Night Prayers on the phrase the Lord is my salvation, and each brought specific situations to the Lord, needing his healing touch and saving grace. As we now reflect back on these things, how we held them heavily yesterday, how God walked with us through them today, how we will carry them differently into tomorrow, we’ll hold silence.
Hold silence
Reader 1
All this week our Night Prayers are framed by Psalm 28:6-9. So before we pray together, we’ll now prepare our hearts and minds to meet with the Lord by reading his Word.
“Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them for ever.”
While these words seep through the many layers of our day to the centre of our being, we’ll hold silence.
Hold silence
Reader 1
I lay open my day, with its busyness and moments of rushing
Reader 2
I lay open my day, with its lulls and pockets of quiet
Reader 1
I lay open my day, with its stresses and times of tension
Reader 2
I lay open my day, with its smiles and bursts of joy
All
O Lord, my God
I gather these seconds, minutes and hours
And I place into your hands
My unpacked day
Reader 1
Today we turn our thoughts to the fourth metaphor for God in our Bible passage,
the Lord is my shepherd, and pray together
All
In the stillness of this night
In the stillness of my heart
I turn to you, Most High
My Lord, my God,
My shepherd
Reader 2
“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
(Psalm 23:1–6)
Reader 1
My Lord and my Shepherd
You are all I need
Reader 2
In this time of reflection
As I rest in your presence
I bring to mind the areas of my life
Needing the Shepherd’s touch
Reader 1
Speak into the pathways of my life
Your loving guidance
Reader 2
Breathe into the busyness of my life
Renewed energy
Reader 1
Shine into the hidden shadows of my life
Your comforting light
Reader 2
Pour into the dusty corners of my life
Joy to overflowing
All
Come, Lord
Save me and bless me
Be my Shepherd
And always carry me in your arms.
Hold silence
Reader 1
Into the safety of your loving arms
I commit my night of rest
Reader 2
Into the saving grace of your open hands
I commit my night of rest
Reader 1
Into the security of your faithful comfort
I commit my night of rest
Reader 2
Into the protection of the ever-loving Shepherd
I commit my night of rest
All
And may the blessing of the Lord my God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Bring peace throughout this night
And all the days to come.
Amen
Friday
Reader 1
Welcomes everyone and introduces themself
Reader 2
Introduces themself
Reader 1
Yesterday we focused our Night Prayers on the phrase the Lord is my shepherd, and each brought specific situations to the Lord, calling out for his loving guidance and comforting presence. As we now reflect back on these things, how we held them heavily yesterday, how God walked with us through them today, how we will carry them differently into tomorrow, we’ll hold silence.
Hold silence
All this week our Night Prayers have been framed by Psalm 28:6–9. So before we pray together, we’ll now prepare our hearts and minds to meet with the Lord by reading his Word.
“Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them for ever.”
While these words seep through the many layers of our day to the centre of our being, let’s hold silence.
Hold silence
Reader 1
I lay open my day, with its busyness and moments of rushing
Reader 2
I lay open my day, with its lulls and pockets of quiet
Reader 1
I lay open my day, with its stresses and times of tension
Reader 2
I lay open my day, with its smiles and bursts of joy
All
O Lord, my God
I gather these seconds, minutes and hours
And I place into your hands
My unpacked day
Reader 1
Today we reflect on each of the metaphors for God in our bible passage, “The Lord is my strength and my shield, a fortress of salvation [...] be our shepherd and always carry us in your arms,” and we pray together
All
In the stillness of this night
In the stillness of my heart
I turn to you, Most High
My Lord, my God,
My strength, shield, salvation and shepherd
Reader 1
Almighty, unshakable Lord
You are my strength
Reader 2
Great and glorious Lord
You are a shield around me
Reader 1
Healing, gracious Lord
You are my salvation
Reader 2
Comforting, guiding Lord
You are my shepherd
All
O Lord, my God
I praise your holy name
You are my strength
You are my shield
You are my salvation
You are my shepherd
O Lord, my God
I praise your holy name.
Hold silence
Reader 1
This night, and each night
Watch over me
Protect me
Guard me
Father, my God
Reader 2
This night, and each night
Draw close to me
Minister to me
Teach me
Jesus, my Saviour
Reader 1
This night, and each night
Fill me,
Stir me,
Strengthen me,
Holy Spirit, my Helper
Reader 2
This night, and each night
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
Bring rest to my mind and body
Build in me new strength, wisdom and passion
To show your love and grace
To those around me
As I walk with you
Tomorrow, and each day
All
And may the blessing of the Lord my God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Bring peace throughout this night
And in the days to come.
Amen
