As the night watch looks for the morning,
so do we look for you, O Christ.
Preparation
The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
Amen.
Our help is in the name of the Lord
who made heaven and earth.
Silence
A period of silence for reflection on the past day
may be kept here.
Penitence
Most merciful God, we confess to you,
before the whole company of heaven and one another,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed
and in what we have failed to do.
Forgive us our sins, heal us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.
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O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now and shall be for ever.
Amen. Alleluia.
Hymn
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.
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From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.
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O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death.
Psalm 134
1 Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
you that by night stand in the house of the Lord.
2 Lift up your hands towards the sanctuary
and bless the Lord.
3 The Lord who made heaven and earth
give you blessing out of Zion.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
Scripture Reading
This or another suitable verse or passage is read here:
‘You, O Lord, are in the midst of us
and we are called by your name;
leave us not, O Lord our God.’ (Jeremiah 14.9)
Followed by:
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me under the shadow of your wings.
The Song of Simeon
Save us, O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ
and asleep may rest in peace.
1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:
your word has been fulfilled.
2 My own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
3 A light to reveal you to the nations and the glory
of your people Israel. (Luke 2.29-32)
Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.
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Save us, O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ
and asleep may rest in peace.
Prayers
Personal prayers may be said here.
Followed by:
Visit this place, O Lord, we pray,
and drive far from it the snares of the enemy;
may your holy angels dwell with us
and guard us in peace,
and may your blessing be always upon us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Conclusion
In peace we will lie down and sleep;
for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
for the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night watch looks for the morning,
so do we look for you, O Christ.
The Lord bless us and watch over us;
the Lord make his face shine upon us
and be gracious unto us;
the Lord look kindly on us
and give us peace. Amen.
Material from Common Worship is © The Archbishops’ Council / 2020/03
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Prayers
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Repeat x3 The Jesus Prayer
Grant we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace; that they may be cleansed from all their sins and serve thee with a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. BCP
Holy God, Holy and mighty, Holy and immortal:Have mercy on us. The Trisagion
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 rest upon your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, forasmuch as without thee we are not able to please thee; Mercifully grant, that thy Holy Spirit may in all things direct and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen Collect Trinity 19
Keep watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend your sick ones, O Lord Christ. Rest your weary ones. Bless your afflicted ones. Shield your joyous ones, and all for your love’s sake. Amen St Augustine of Hippo
We give you hearty thanks for the rest of the past night and for the gift of a new day, with its opportunities for pleasing you. Grant that we may so pass its hours in the perfect freedom of your service, that at eventide we may again give thanks unto you; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Eastern Orthodox Prayer
Dear Lord, I love you above all things and I desire you in my soul. Since I cannot receive you now sacramentally, come spiritually into my soul. As though you were already there I embrace you and unite myself wholly to you; permit not that I should ever be separated from you. Amen St Alphonsus Liguori
As the rain hides the stars, as the autumn mist hides the hills, as the clouds veil the blue of the sky, so the dark happenings of our lot hide the shining of thy face from us. Yet, if we may hold thy hand in the darkness, it is enough. Since we know that, though we may stumble in our going, thou dost not fall. Amen Gaelic Prayer
In me there is darkness, but with you there is light; I am lonely, but you do not leave me; I am feeble in heart, but with you there is help; I am restless, but with you there is peace. In me there is bitterness, but with you there is patience; I do not understand your ways, but you know the way for me. Amen Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Prayer of St Richard of Chichester
Thanks be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, For all the benefits thou hast given me, For all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me. O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother, May I know thee more clearly, Love thee more dearly, And follow thee more nearly. Amen