Preparation
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
Amen.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist, steadfast in the faith.
1 Peter 5.8, 9
But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
Thanks be to God.
Our help is in the name of the Lord
who hath made heaven and earth.
A period of silence for reflection on the past day follows.
We confess to God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
through our own grievous fault.
Wherefore we pray God to have mercy upon us.
Almighty God, have mercy upon us,
forgive us all our sins and deliver us from all evil,
confirm and strengthen us in all goodness,
and bring us to life everlasting;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
May the almighty and merciful Lord
grant unto you pardon and remission of all your sins,
time for amendment of life,
and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
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.
Praise ye the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
Hymn
Words: Latin, 8th century or earlier, translated by John Mason Neale (1818-1866, formerly Chaplain of Downing College)
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world we pray,
That with thy wonted favour thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.
From all ill dreams defend our eyes,
From nightly fears and fantasies;
Tread underfoot our ghostly foe,
That no pollution we may know.
O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
Amen.
The Word of God
Psalm 4: Cum invocarem
Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness :
thou hast set me at liberty when I was in trouble;
have mercy upon me, and hearken unto my prayer.
O ye sons of men, how long will ye blaspheme mine honour :
and have such pleasure in vanity, and seek after leasing?
Know this also, that the Lord hath chosen to himself the man that is godly :
when I call upon the Lord he will hear me.
Stand in awe, and sin not :
commune with your own heart, and in your chamber, and be still.
Offer the sacrifice of righteousness :
and put your trust in the Lord.
There be many that say :
Who will show us any good?
Lord, lift thou up:
the light of thy countenance upon us.
Thou hast put gladness in my heart :
since the time that their corn and wine and oil increased.
I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest :
for it is thou, Lord, only, that makest me dwell in safety.
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.
Psalm 31.1-6: In te, Domine, speravi
In thee, O Lord, have I put my trust :
let me never be put to confusion, deliver me in thy righteousness.
Bow down thine ear to me :
make haste to deliver me.
And be thou my strong rock, and house of defence :
that thou mayest save me.
For thou art my strong rock, and my castle :
be thou also my guide, and lead me for thy Name’s sake.
Draw me out of the net that they have laid privily for me :
for thou art my strength.
Into thy hands I commend my spirit :
for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.
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.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 11.28-30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Thanks be to God.
Responsory
Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
For thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.
I commend my spirit.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Keep me as the apple of an eye.
Hide me under the shadow of thy wings.
Nunc Dimittis (Luke 2.29-32)
Preserve us, O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep we may rest in peace.
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.
Preserve us, O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep we may rest in peace.
Prayers
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done,
in earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Blessed art thou, Lord God of our fathers:
to be praised and glorified above all for ever.
Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost:
let us praise him and magnify him for ever.
Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven:
to be praised and glorified above all for ever.
The almighty and most merciful Lord guard us
and give us his blessing.
Amen.
[Anthem]
Silence
Collect
Let us pray.
Be present, O merciful God,
and protect us through the silent hours of this night,
so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this fleeting world,
may repose upon thy eternal changelessness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Conclusion
We will lay us down in peace and take our rest.
For it is thou, Lord, only that makest us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, O Lord,
for it is toward evening and the day is far spent.
As the watchmen look for the morning,
so do we look for thee, O Christ.
The Lord be with you
and with thy spirit.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful Lord,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost,
bless us and preserve us.
Amen.