Night Prayer – 2021
O God, come to our aid.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
Examination of Conscience
You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
May almighty God have mercy on us,
forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
HYMN
The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended
the darkness falls at thy behest;
to thee our morning hymns ascended,
thy praise shall sanctify our rest.
We thank thee that thy Church unsleeping, while earth rolls onward into light, through all the world her watch is keeping,
and rests not now by day or night.
As o’er each continent and island
the dawn leads on another day;
the voice of prayer is never silent,
nor dies the strain of praise away.
The sun that bids us rest is waking
our brethren ‘neath the western sky,
and hour by hour fresh lips are making
thy wondrous doings heard on high.
So be it, Lord; thy throne shall never,
like earth’s proud empires, pass away; thy kingdom stands and grows forever, till all thy creatures own thy sway.
Psalm 4
Lord, have mercy and hear me.
When I call, answer me, O God of justice;
from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!
O men, how long will your hearts be closed, will you love what is futile and seek what is false?
It is the Lord who grants favours to those whom he loves; the Lord hears me whenever I call him.
Fear him; do not sin: ponder on your bed and be still
Make justice your sacrifice, and trust in the Lord.
‘What can bring us happiness?’ many say. Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord.
You have put into my heart a greater joy than they have from abundance of corn and new wine.
I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Lord, have mercy and hear me.
Psalm 133 (134) Bless the Lord through the night.
O come, bless the Lord,
all you who serve the Lord,
who stand in the house of the Lord,
in the courts of the house of our God.
Lift up your hands to the holy place
and bless the Lord through the night.
May the Lord bless you from Sion,
he who made both heaven and earth.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen.
Bless the Lord through the night.
Short Reading – Deuteronomy 6:4-7
Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.
Short Responsory
Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
– Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
Canticle
Save us, Lord, while we are awake; protect us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ and rest with him in peace.
At last, all-powerful Master, you give leave to your servant to go in peace, according to your promise.
For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared for all nations, the light to enlighten the Gentiles and give glory to Israel, your people.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit,
as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Save us, Lord, while we are awake; protect us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ and rest with him in peace.
Let us pray.
Visit this house, we pray you, Lord:
drive far away from it all the snares of the enemy. May your holy angels stay here and guard us in peace, and let your blessing be always upon us. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
May the Lord grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
Amen.
HYMN
Mother of Christ! Hear thou thy people’s cry,
Star of the deep, and portal of the sky!
Mother of him who thee from nothing made,
Sinking we strive, and call to thee for aid:
Oh, by that joy which Gabriel brought to thee,
Thou Virgin first and last, let us thy mercy see.