Compline

Compline

Compline is an occasional service of the Reformed Episcopal Church used for prayer at the end of the day before sleep.

Overview

Compline is the church's evening office of commendation before rest. It provides Scripture, confession, psalmody, the Nunc dimittis, and collects that place the night under God's mercy and protection.

Full Text of the Service

or Prayer at the End of the Day

Minister. Turn us, O God our Saviour;

Answer. And let thine anger cease from us.

Minister. The Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

Answer. 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. (I Peter 5:8-9a)

Minister. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us;

Answer. Thanks be to God.

Minister. Our help is in the Name of the Lord.

Answer. Who hath made heaven and earth.

¶ Then, all kneeling, the Minister and people shall say,

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.

Minister. May the Almighty God grant us forgiveness of all our sins, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Ghost.

Answer. Amen.

Minister. O God, make speed to save us;

Answer. O Lord, make haste to help us.

¶ Here, all standing, the Minister shall say,

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

Answer. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Minister. Praise ye the Lord;

Answer. The Lord’s Name be praised.

Ecce nunc. Psalm 134

BEHOLD now, praise the LORD, * all ye servants of the LORD;

Ye that by night stand in the house of the LORD, * even in the courts of the house of our God.

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, * and praise the LORD.

The LORD that made heaven and earth * give thee blessing out of Sion.

¶ Or Psalm 4, 31, 33, 34, 91, or 136

¶ At the end of each psalm shall be said or sung the Gloria Patri.

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.

¶ Here a short lesson of Scripture shall be read. A hymn may follow.

Minister. Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit,

Answer. For thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, thou God of truth.

Minister. Keep me as the apple of an eye;

Answer. Hide me under the shadow of thy wings.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Christ, have mercy upon us.

Lord, have mercy upon us.

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Minister. Lord, hear our prayer;

Answer. And let our cry come unto thee VISIT, we beseech thee, O Lord, this habitation: drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let thy holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace, and let thy blessing be ever upon us, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

LIGHTEN our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night, for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

¶ Other prayers may be added.

Anthem Save us, O Lord, while waking, and defend us while sleeping: that when we are awake we may watch with Christ, and when we sleep we may rest in peace.

Nunc dimittis. St. Luke 2:29-32

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.

Anthem Save us, O Lord, while waking, and defend us while sleeping: that when we are awake we may watch with Christ, and when we sleep we may rest in peace.

Minister. We will lay us down in peace and take our rest;

Answer. For it is thou, Lord, only, that makest us dwell in safety.

Minister. Let us bless the Lord;

Answer. Thanks be to God.

THE Almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, bless us and keep us. Amen.

Notes on Use

• Use in parishes, retreats, homes, schools, and small groups at the close of day.
• The service works well by candlelight or in a quiet chapel setting.
• When used pastorally, keep the pace gentle and allow silence after the readings or collects.

Liturgical Structure

• Opening sentences
• Confession and absolution
• Psalmody
• Short lesson
• Nunc dimittis
• Creed, prayers, and collects
• Blessing

Theological Themes

• Trust in God's keeping through the night.
• Repentance and peace before sleep.
• Christ as light in darkness and guardian of the faithful.

Source

This text is transcribed from the official Reformed Episcopal Church PDF.

See Also

• Book of Common Prayer
• Reformed Episcopal Church
• Anglican liturgy
• Book of Occasional Services (Reformed Episcopal Church)