Extracts from A Prayer Book for Australia
Prayer at the End of the Day
ALSO CALLED COMPLINE
1The minister says
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.
[2 A period of silence may be kept for reflection on the past day.
When the confession has not been used at Evening Prayer, it may be used here. The form provided in Evening Prayer (pages 4, 21 and 431) may be used, or the following.
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, now seated at the Father’s right hand to intercede for us.
have mercy on us.]
3The minister says
Our help is in the name of the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
Glory to God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever.
Praise the Lord!
4This hymn, or another, may be sung.
Hail, gladdening Light, of his pure glory poured
Who is the immortal Father, heavenly, blest,
Holiest of Holies, Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Now we come to the sun’s hour of rest,
The lights of evening round us shine,
We hymn the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit divine.
Worthiest art thou at all times to be sung
with undefiled tongue,
Son of our God, giver of life, alone!
Therefore in all the world thy glories, Lord, they own.
5One or more of Psalms 4, 91 and 134 is said or sung.
Psalm 4
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness:
you set me free when I was hard-pressed;
have mercy on me now and hear my prayer.
How long, you people, will you turn my honour into shame:
how long will you love what is worthless
and seek after falsehood?
Know that the Lord has shown me wonderful kindness:
when I call upon the Lord, the Lord will hear me.
Tremble, then, and do not sin:
commune with your own heart upon your bed and be still.
Offer sacrifices that are right:
and put your trust in the Lord.
There are many who say, ‘Who can show us any good?:
The light of your countenance has departed from us, O Lord.’
Yet you have put more gladness in my heart:
than they have when grain and new wine abound.
I will lie down in peace and sleep:
for it is only you, O Lord, who 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 under your feet.
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.
The following arrangement of Psalms is also suitable: Sunday 91, Monday 86, Tuesday 143.1–11, Wednesday 31.1–6 and 130, Thursday 16, Friday 88, Saturday 4 and 134.
6The following, or some other Reading from the Bible
Sunday The servants of God shall see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they shall reign for ever and ever.
Revelation 22.4-5
Monday I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.
Joel 2.28
Tuesday Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith.
1 Peter 5.8-9a
Wednesday In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1.4-5
Thursday Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not make room for the devil.
Ephesians 4.26–27
Friday For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him.
1 Thessalonians 5.9-10
Saturday Hear O Israel: the Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home, and when you are away, when you lie down and when you arise.
Deuteronomy 6.4-7
After the reading the congregation may respond
Thanks be to God.
and/or the following may be said or sung.
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
[Alleluia, alleluia.]
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
[Alleluia, alleluia.]
You have redeemed us, Lord, God of truth.
I commend my spirit. [Alleluia, alleluia.]
Glory to God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
[Alleluia, alleluia.]
7The Canticle, The Song of Simeon (Luke 2.29ff) is said or sung.
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.
[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.]
8The prayers
Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Lord have mercy.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
Intercessions and Thanksgivings may be made according to local custom.
9The service ends with one or more of the following prayers.
In your mercy, Lord,
dispel the darkness of this 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.
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 your only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
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.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
who at this evening hour rested in the sepulchre,
and sanctified the grave to be a bed of hope to your people:
make us so to 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 Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
As watchmen look for the morning
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 are our God for ever and ever. Amen.
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 transformed through the suffering of Christ,
and all dying glorified by his risen life. Amen.
We give you thanks, O God,
for the gift to the world of our Redeemer;
as we sing of your glory at the close of this day,
so may we know his presence in our hearts;
who is our Saviour and our God,
now and for ever. Amen.
Suitable on Sunday
God our Father,
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.
Suitable on Saturday
Come to visit us, Lord, this night,
so that by your strength we may rise at daybreak
to rejoice in the resurrection of Christ your Son,
who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
10The minister concludes the service by saying
Let us praise the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit;
God is worthy to be praised and exalted for ever.
May the almighty and merciful God bless us and keep us. Amen.