Night prayer

Night , also known as Compline, is the final prayers-of-saint-anthony” title=”Thirteen prayers of Saint Anthony”>prayer of the day for many Christians and is a beautiful way to end your day. It is a time to reflect on the day that has passed and to come before God with a grateful heart. Night prayer helps us to find peace and rest in the Lord, letting go of our worries and concerns, and trusting in His faithful love.

Compline derives its name from the Latin word “completorium,” meaning completion. It is also called the “prayer of completion” or “prayer before sleep” because it marks the end of the day and prepares us for a restful night’s sleep. The prayer is a comforting way to hand over all our fears and concerns to God, letting Him wrap us in His divine comfort and protection.

The structure of night prayer is relatively simple and can be recited in your own words or using one of the many texts available online, such as those found in the Book of Common Prayer. The prayer typically begins with an invitation to prayer, followed by one or two psalms, a short scripture reading, a canticle, a litany of intercession, the Lord’s Prayer, and a final blessing.

The psalms chosen for Compline are usually those that speak of peace, hope, and trust in God. These psalms help us to remember that God is always with us, watching over us and providing for us. They also remind us to put our trust in Him, especially in times of trouble or distress.

The scripture reading for night prayer is usually a short passage from the Bible that speaks of God’s love and faithfulness, such as Psalm 4:8: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

The canticle is a hymn of praise, such as the Nunc Dimittis, which is the prayer of Simeon when he saw the baby Jesus in the temple. It is a beautiful prayer that speaks of the light of Christ and His salvation.

The litany of intercession is a series of petitions where we bring before God our concerns for the world, our family and friends, and ourselves. We ask Him to bless and protect us and to guide us in all that we do.

The Lord’s Prayer is the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples, and it is a beautiful way to end night prayer. It reminds us that God is our Father who loves us and cares for us.

Finally, the blessing is pronounced, asking God to keep us safe through the night and to wake us up in the morning refreshed and renewed.

Night prayer is a beautiful and comforting way to end your day. It helps us to put our trust and hope in God, releasing our worries and fears, and allowing Him to care for us. Night prayer reminds us that we are loved and cherished by God, and that He is always with us.

If you haven’t tried night prayer or Compline before, why not start tonight? Take a few moments to reflect on your day, give thanks for the good things, and ask for forgiveness for anything you regret. Then, come before God in prayer, placing your trust in Him and asking for His loving care through the night. May you be blessed with a peaceful and restful sleep, knowing that God is with you always.