This is the traditional monastic form of prayer before going to bed.

You may want to light a candle as a symbol of Christ, the Light of the World, with us.

 We wait on God in silence, as we prepare to pray.

 

PREPARATION

The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.

All      Amen.

Our help is in the name of the Lord

All      who made heaven and earth.

 

A period of silence for reflection on the past day may follow.

 

The following words of penitence may be used

All      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.

O God, make speed to save us.

All      O Lord, make haste to help us.

 

All      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.

 

PRAISE

The following or another suitable hymn may be sung

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.

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.

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

One or more of the following psalms may be used:

Psalm 4, 91, or 134

 

At the end of the psalm, the following is said

All      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.

BIBLE READING 

One of the following short lessons or another suitable passage is read

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

(or)

Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, seeking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in the faith.

1 Peter 5.8, 9

(or)

The servants of the Lamb shall see the face of God, whose name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night: they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for God will be their light, and they will reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 22.4, 5

 

The following responsory may be said

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

All      Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.

All      I commend my spirit.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All      Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

 

Or, from Easter Day to Pentecost

Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Alleluia, alleluia.

All      Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Alleluia, alleluia.

For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.

All      Alleluia, alleluia.

Glory to the Father and to the Son

and to the Holy Spirit.

All      Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.

Alleluia, alleluia.

Keep me as the apple of your eye.

All      Hide me under the shadow of your wings.

 

SONG OF SIMEON

‘Nunc Dimittis’

 

All      Save us, O Lord, while waking,

and guard us while sleeping,

that awake we may watch with Christ

and asleep may rest 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.

Luke 2.29-32

 

All      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.

 

All      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

Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here.

 

Silence may be kept.

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.

All      Amen.

 

All      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.

         For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory,

         for ever and ever.  Amen.

 

THE CONCLUSION

In peace we will lie down and sleep;

All      for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.

Abide with us, Lord Jesus,

All      for the night is at hand and the day is now past.

As the night watch looks for the morning,

All      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 to us;

the Lord look kindly on us and give us peace.

All      Amen.