The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta in England and Wales and Provinces Overseas
Province of Kent
Special Compline Service to be held online
Sunday 30th May will be marked by a special on line service to celebrate the first year of the fortnightly Compline on-line services.
Order for Office for Compline
O God, come to my assistance.
O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen
I confess to Almighty God,
and the whole company of heaven,
that I have sinned this day by my own fault in thought, word, and deed;
(strike your breast thrice)
in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do;
wherefore, I pray God Almighty to have mercy on me,
Forgive me my sins and bring me to everlasting life. Amen
May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father (+) Son, and Holy Spirit,
Grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of all my sins. Amen
Hymn: Te lucis ante terminum
Before we reach the close of day,
Creator of the world, we pray,
That in your mercy you will keep,
A guard around us while we sleep.
As we to end of life draw near,
Console us, Lord, remove our fear,
May we with light and grace be blessed,
And find in you eternal rest.
Most loving Father hear our plea!
You rule the world with equity
Together with your only Son,
And with your Spirit, three in one. Amen.
One or all the following three psalms are prayed daily without an antiphon
Psalm 4. Night prayer
I called, the God of justice gave me answer;
from anguish you released me, have mercy and hear me!
Children of man, how long will my glory be dishonoured,
will you love what is futile and seek what is false?
Know that the LORD works wonders for his faithful one;
the LORD will hear me whenever I call him.
Tremble, do not sin: ponder on your bed and be still.
Offer right sacrifice, and trust in the LORD.
“What can bring us happiness?” many say.
Lift up the light of your face on us, O LORD.
You have put into my heart a greater joy
than abundance of grain and new wine can provide.
In peace I will lie down and fall asleep,
for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 90 (91) Under the wing of God’s protection
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High,
and abides in the shade of the Almighty,
says to the LORD, “My refuge,
my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!”
He will free you from the snare of the fowler,
from the destructive plague;
he will conceal you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge.
His faithfulness is buckler and shield.
You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the plague that prowls in the darkness,
nor the scourge that lays waste at noon.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand fall at your right:
you it will never approach.
Your eyes have only to look
to see how the wicked are repaid.
For you, O LORD, are my refuge.
You have made the Most High your dwelling.
Upon you no evil shall fall,
no plague approach your tent.
For you has he commanded his angels
to keep you in all your ways.
They shall bear you upon their hands,
lest you strike your foot against a stone.
On the lion and the viper you will tread,
and trample the young lion and the serpent.
Since he clings to me in love, I will free him,
protect him, for he knows my name.
When he calls on me, I will answer him;
I will be with him in distress;
I will deliver him, and give him glory.
With length of days I will content him;
I will show him my saving power.
Psalm 133 (134). Prayer at night time: a pilgrimage song
O come, bless the LORD,
all you servants of the LORD,
who stand by night in the courts
of the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands to the holy place,
and bless the LORD.
May the LORD bless you from Sion,
he who made both heaven and earth.
Short Reading: 1 Peter 5:8 - 9
Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in your faith, for you know that your brothers and sisters in all the world are undergoing the same kinds of suffering.
Ant. Protect us, Lord, while we are awake and safeguard us while we sleep,
that we may keep watch with Christ and 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
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.
Ant. Protect us, Lord, while we are awake and safeguard us while we sleep,
that we may keep watch with Christ and rest in peace.
Prayer
Let us pray. Favour this dwelling, Lord, with your presence. Far from it repulse all the wiles of Satan. Your holy angels – let them live here, to keep us in peace. And may your blessing remain always upon us. This we ask of you through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Blessing
May the Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end.
Amen
Or
May the almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.
Amen
Details of zoom compline meetings are posted on the Kent KT Facebook site so please check there for further information.
Traditionally the same three psalms were prayed each night: 4, 90 and 133. Hence, the psalms could be prayed by heart, often in the dark. These three psalms contain clear references to the night, going to rest, dwelling in the shelter of the Most High, protection of the angels, etc., and so are perfect for the end of the day.
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