A SHORTENED FORM OF
EVENING PRAYER.

Hymn.

Reader—

I will lay me down in peace, and take my rest: for it is Thou, Lord, that makest me dwell in safety.   Psalm 4. 9.

Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God.

Altogether—

O GOD, our Father, we have sinned against Thee in thought, word, and deed: we have not loved Thee with all our heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. Have mercy upon us, we beseech Thee; cleanse us from our sins, and help us to overcome our faults; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reader—

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.

O Lord, open Thou our lips;
And our mouth shall shew forth Thy praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.

(All stand.)

    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Praise ye the Lord;
The Lord’s Name be praised.
 

Magnificat.   S. Luke 1. 46.

MY soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
    2 For He hath regarded: the lowliness of His hand-maiden.
    3 For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.
    4 For He that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is His Name.
    5 And His mercy is on them that fear Him: throughout all generations.
    6 He hath shewed strength with His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
    7 He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek.
    8 He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich He hath sent empty away.
    9 He remembering His mercy hath holpen His servant Israel: as He promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

The Lesson.

Nunc Dimittis.   S. Luke 2. 29.

LORD, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace: according to Thy word.
    2 For mine eyes have seen: Thy salvation,
    3 Which Thou hast prepared: before the face of all people;
    4 To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of Thy people Israel.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed.

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
    And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried, He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholick Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.

[Or at the discretion of the Reader may be said—

I BELIEVE in God the Father, Who hath made me, and all the world.
    I believe in God the Son, Who hath redeemed me, and all mankind.
    I believe in God the Holy Ghost, Who sanctifieth me, and all the elect people of God. Amen.]

Reader—

The Lord be with you;
And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that 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 Collect for the Day.

Collect for Aid against all Perils.

LIGHTEN our darkness, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and by Thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of Thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us pray for Clergy and People.

Let Thy Priests be clothed with righteousness;
And let Thy saints sing with joyfulness.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, Who alone workest great marvels: Send down upon our Bishops, and Clergy, and all Congregations committed to their charge, the healthful spirit of Thy grace; and that they may truly please Thee, pour upon them the continual dew of Thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Let us pray for the Heathen.

Declare His Name unto the heathen;
And His wonders unto all people.

O GOD, Who hast made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on the face of the earth, and didst send Thy blessed Son Jesus Christ to preach peace to them that are afar off, and to them that are nigh: Grant that all the peoples of the world may feel after Thee and find Thee; and hasten, O Lord, the fulfillment of Thy promise, to pour out Thy Spirit upon all flesh; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Let us give thanks.

Let us bless the Lord;
Thanks be to God.

ALMIGHTY God, Father of all mercies, we Thine unworthy servants do give Thee most humble and hearty thanks for all Thy goodness and loving-kindness to us, and to all men: [particularly to those who desire now to offer up their praises and thanksgivings for Thy late mercies vouchsafed unto them.] We bless Thee for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all, for Thine inestimable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we beseech Thee, give us that due sense of all Thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we may shew forth Thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to Thy service, and by walking before Thee in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom with Thee and the Holy Ghost be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

A Prayer of S. Chrysostom.

ALMIGHTY God, Who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto Thee; and dost promise, that when two or three are gathered together in Thy Name Thou wilt grant their requests; Fulfil now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of Thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of Thy truth, and in the world to come life everlasting. Amen.

2 Corinthians 13. 14.

THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.
 

EVENING PRAYER
(for use on Sundays and Holy Days, and
at other times when desired).

The Sentences.

Of Penitence.

I WILL arise, and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.   S. Lk. 15. 18, 19.
    If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us: but, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.   1. S. John 1. 8, 9.
    To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against Him: neither have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our God, to walk in His laws which he set before us.   Daniel 9. 9, 10.
    Enter not into judgement with Thy servant, O Lord; for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.   Psalm 143.2.

    Of Worship.
    God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.   S. John 4. 24.
    O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: let the whole earth stand in awe of Him.   Psalm 96. 9.

    Advent.
    Repent ye; for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.   S. Matthew 3.2.
    The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.   Romans 13.12.

    Christmastide.
    Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people: for unto you is born in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.   S. Luke 2. 10, 11.

    Epiphany.
    From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same My Name is great among the nations; and in every place incense is offered unto My Name, and a pure offering: for My Name is great among the nations, saith the Lord.   Mal. 1.11.

    Lent.
    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.   Psalm 51.17.

    Passiontide and Good Friday.
    Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow.   Lam. 1.12.

    Eastertide.
    Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His great mercy hath begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.   1 S. Peter 1.3.

    Ascensiontide.
    Seeing that we have a great high priest that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.   Hebrews 4. 14, 16.

    Whitsunday.
    The love of God hath been shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which was given unto us.   Rom. 5.5.

    Trinity.
    God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God and God in him.   1 S. John 4.16.

    Saints’ Days.
    Seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.   Hebrews 12. 1,2.
 

The Exhortation.

DEARLY beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face of Almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by His infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought at all time humbly to acknowledge our sins before God; yet ought we most chiefly so to do, when we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at His hand, to set forth His most worthy praise, to hear His most holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying after me;

Or,

BELOVED, we are come together in the presence of Almighty God and the whole company of heaven to offer unto Him through our Lord Jesus Christ our worship and praise and thanksgiving; to make confession of our sins; to pray, as well for others as for ourselves, that we may know more truly the greatness of God’s love and shew forth in our lives the fruits of His grace; and to ask on behalf of all men such things as their well-being doth require.
    Wherefore let us kneel in silence, and remember God’s presence with us now.

Or the Minister may omit the Exhortation, and say,

    Let us humbly confess our sins to Almighty God.

The General Confession.

Altogether—

ALMIGHTY and most merciful Father; We have erred and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep. We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts. We have offended against Thy holy laws. We have left undone those things which we ought to have done; And we have done those things which we ought not to have done; And there is no health in us. But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders. Spare Thou them, O God, which confess their faults. Restore Thou them that are penitent; According to Thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord. And grant, O most merciful Father, for His sake; That we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, To the glory of Thy holy Name. Amen.

Or,

O GOD, our Father, we have sinned against Thee in thought, word, and deed: we have not loved Thee with all our heart; we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. Have mercy upon us, we beseech Thee; cleanse us from our sins; and help us to overcome our faults; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

The Absolution.

Priest—

ALMIGHTY God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness, and live; and hath given power, and commandment, to His Ministers, to declare and pronounce to His people, being penitent, the Absolution and Remission of their sins: He pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe His holy Gospel. Wherefore let us beseech Him to grant us true repentance, and His Holy Spirit, that those things may please Him, which we do at this present; and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure, and holy; so that at the last we may come to His eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or,

MAY the Almighty and merciful Lord grant unto you pardon and remission of all your sins, time for amendment of life, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

[ Or, if a Priest is not present, the Reader shall say,

MAY the Almighty and merciful Lord grant unto us pardon and remission of all our sins, time for amendment of life, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.]

The Lord’s Prayer.

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that 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.

O Lord, open Thou our lips;
And our mouth shall shew forth Thy praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.

(All stand.)

    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Praise ye the Lord;
The Lord’s Name be praised.
 

A Psalm (or Psalms).

The Lesson from the Old Testament.

Magnificat.   S. Luke 1. 46.

MY soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
    2 For He hath regarded: the lowliness of His hand-maiden.
    3 For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed.
    4 For He that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is His Name.
    5 And His mercy is on them that fear Him: throughout all generations.
    6 He hath shewed strength with His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
    7 He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek.
    8 He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich He hath sent empty away.
    9 He remembering His mercy hath holpen His servant Israel: as He promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Or Psalm 98 may be used.

O SING unto the Lord a new song: for He hath done marvellous things.
    2 With His own right hand and His holy arm: hath He gotten Himself the victory.
    3 The Lord declared His salvation: His righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.
    4 He hath remembered His mercy and truth toward the house of Israel: and all the ends of the world have seen the salvation of our God.
    5 Shew yourselves joyful unto the Lord, all ye lands: sing, rejoice, and thanks.
    6 Praise the Lord upon the hard: sing to the harp with a psalm of thanksgiving.
    7 With trumpets also and shawms: O shew yourselves joyful before the Lord the King.
    8 Let the sea make a noise, and all that therein is: the round world, and they that dwell therein.
    9 Let the floods clap their hands, and let the hills be joyful together before the Lord: for He cometh to judge the earth.
    10 With righteousness shall He judge the world: and the people with equity.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

The Lesson from the New Testament.

Nunc Dimittis.   S. Luke 2. 29.

LORD, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace: according to Thy word.
    2 For mine eyes have seen: Thy salvation,
    3 Which Thou hast prepared: before the face of all people;
    4 To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of Thy people Israel.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Or Psalm 67 may be used.

GOD be merciful unto us, and bless us: and shew us the light of His countenance, and be merciful unto us:
    2 That Thy way may be known upon earth: Thy saving health among all nations.
    3 Let the people praise Thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise Thee.
    4 O let the nations rejoice and be glad: for Thou shalt judge the folk righteously, and govern the nations upon earth.
    5 Let the people praise Thee, O God: yea, let all the people praise Thee.
    6 Then shall the earth bring forth her increase: and God, even our own God, shall give us His blessing.
    7 God shall bless us: and all the ends of the world shall fear him.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
 

The Apostles’ Creed.

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
    And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried, He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholick Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.

Minister,

The Lord be with you;
And with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Reader—

O Lord, shew Thy mercy upon us;
And grant us Thy salvation.

O Lord, save the King;
And mercifully hear us when we call upon Thee.

Endue Thy Ministers with righteousness;
And make Thy chosen people joyful.

O Lord, save Thy people;
And bless Thine inheritance.

    Give peace in our time, O Lord;
    Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only Thou, O God.

O God, make clean our hearts within us;
And take not Thy Holy Spirit from us.

The Collect for the Day.

The Second Collect, for Peace.

O GOD, from Whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed: Give unto Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey Thy commandments, and also that by Thee we being defended from  the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

The Third Collect, for Aid against all Perils.

LIGHTEN our darkness, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and by Thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of Thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

¶ The Service may then close with further prayers and thanksgivings, provided that after them shall be said the “Prayer of S. Chrysostom” and “The Grace.”
 

COMPLINE
A late evening Service.

Reader—

THE Lord Almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.

BRETHREN, be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist, stedfast in the faith.   1 S. Peter 5. 8, 9.

But Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us;
Thanks be to God.

O God, make speed to save us;
O Lord, make haste to help us.

    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Praise ye the Lord;
The Lord’s Name be praised.

Then shall be said or sung one or more of the following Psalms:

Psalm 4, Psalm 31. 1-6, Psalm 91, Psalm 134.

The Short Lesson.

THOU, O Lord, art in the midst of us, and we are called by Thy Name. Leave us not, O Lord our God.   Jer. 14. 9.

Or,

COME unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.   S. Matthew 11. 28-30.

Or,

NOW the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in your that which is well-pleasing in His sight; through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.   Heb. 13. 20, 21.

    Thanks be to God.

Reader—

Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit:

    For Thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, Thou God of truth;
    I commend my spirit.

    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
    Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
 

Hymn.

BEFORE the ending of the day,
Creator of the world we pray,
That with Thy wonted favour Thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.

From all ill dreams defend our eyes,
From nightly fears and fantasies;
Tread under foot our ghostly foe,
That no pollution we may know.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, Thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.

Reader—

Keep me as the apple of an eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Thy wing.

    Preserve us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

Nunc Dimittis.   S. Luke 2. 29.

LORD, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace: according to Thy word.
    2 For mine eyes have seen: Thy salvation,
    3 Which Thou hast prepared: before the face of all people;
    4 To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of Thy people Israel.
    Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
    As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

    Preserve us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
 

The Apostles’ Creed.

I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
    And in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary, Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried, He descended into hell; The third day He rose again from the dead, He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
    I believe in the Holy Ghost; The holy Catholick Church; The Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the Life everlasting. Amen.

(All kneel.)

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that 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.

Reader—

Blessed art Thou, Lord God of our fathers;
To be praised and glorified above all for ever.

Let us bless the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost;
Let us praise Him and magnify Him for ever.

Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven;
To be praised and glorified above all for ever.

Altogether—

WE confess to God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, through our own grievous fault. Wherefore we pray God to have mercy upon us.

ALMIGHTY God, have mercy upon us, forgive us all our sins and deliver us from all evil, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to life everlasting; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

If a Priest be present, he shall stand and pronounce the following Absolution:

MAY the Almighty and merciful Lord grant unto you pardon and remission of all your sins, time for amendment of life, and the grace and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
 

Reader—

Wilt Thou not turn again and quicken us;
That Thy people may rejoice in Thee?

O Lord, shew Thy mercy upon us;
And grant us Thy salvation.

Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this night without sin;
O Lord, have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us.

O Lord, hear our prayer;
And let our cry come unto Thee.

Let us pray.

Then shall be said one or more of the following Collects.

VISIT, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this place, and drive from it all snares of the enemy; let Thy holy Angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace; and may Thy blessing be upon us evermore;  through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LIGHTEN our darkness, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and by Thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of Thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

O LORD Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who at this evening hour didst rest in the sepulchre, and didst thereby sanctify the grave to be a bed of hope to Thy people: Make us so to abound in sorrow for our sins, which were the cause of Thy passion, that when our bodies lie in the dust, our souls may live with Thee; Who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

LOOK down, O Lord, from Thy heavenly throne, illuminate the darkness of this night with Thy celestial brightness, and from the sons of light banish the deeds of darkness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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 repose upon Thy eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

We will lay us down in peace and take our rest;
For it is Thou, Lord, only that makest us dwell in safety.

The Lord be with you;
And with thy spirit.

Let us bless the Lord;
Thanks be to God.

THE Almighty and merciful Lord, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, bless and preserve us. Amen.