A Night Prayer at the End of Day (May 6, 2020)
Night Prayer
This service is meant to be "quiet" and reflective. It is not a long or complicated service, but is best used at night (before bed?) as a quiet way to to end the day.
Dialogue
Almighty God grant us a quiet night and peace at the last.
Amen.
It is good to give thanks to the Lord,
to sing praise to your name, O Most High;
to herald your love in the morning,
your truth at the close of the day.
Night Hymn
Be Still My Soul
Be still, my soul: the Lord is on your side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
leave to your God to order and provide;
in ev’ry change God faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: your best, your heav’nly friend
through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.Be still, my soul: your God will undertake
to guide the future, as in ages past.
Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
the Christ who ruled them while he dwelt below.Be still, my soul: the hour is hast’ning on
when we shall be forever with the Lord,
when disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past,
all safe and blessed we shall meet at last.
Text: Katharina von Schlegel, 1752; tr. Jane Borthwick, 1855
Confession and Forgiveness
Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.
The assembly kneels or sits and keeps silence for self-examination.
Holy and gracious God,
I confess that I have sinned against you this day.
Some of my sin I know—
the thoughts and words and deeds
of which I am ashamed—
but some is known only to you.
In the name of Jesus Christ I ask forgiveness.
Deliver and restore me,
that I may rest in peace.
By the mercy of God
we are united with Jesus Christ,
in whom we are forgiven.
We rest now in the peace of Christ
and rise in the morning to serve.
Psalmody
Don't rush the psalmody. Let its words become your words. And prayer!
Psalm 34
1I will bless the Lord at all times;
the praise of God shall ever be in my mouth.
2I will glory in the Lord;
let the lowly hear and rejoice.
3Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord;
let us exalt God’s name together.
4I sought the Lord, who answered me
and delivered me from all my terrors.
5Look upon the Lord and be radiant,
and let not your faces be ashamed.
6I called in my affliction, and the Lord heard me
and saved me from all my troubles.
7The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear the Lord
and delivers them.
8Taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are they who take refuge in God!
9Fear the Lord, you saints of the Lord,
for those who fear the Lord lack nothing.
10The lions are in want and suffer hunger,
but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good.
11Come, children, and listen to me;
I will teach you reverence for the Lord.
12Who among you takes pleasure in life
and desires long life to enjoy prosperity?
13Keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from lying words.
14Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.
15The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous,
and God’s ears are open to their cry.
16The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to erase the remembrance of them from the earth.
17The righteous cry, and the Lord hears them
and delivers them from all their troubles.
18The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves those whose spirits are crushed.
19Many are the troubles of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers them from every one.
20God will keep safe all their bones;
not one of them shall be broken.
21Evil will bring death to the wicked
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22O Lord, you redeem the life of your servants,
and those who put their trust in you will not be punished.
Song
Cares Chorus
A hymn or song appropriate to the time of day or the season may be sung.
I cast all my cares upon You
I lay all of my burdens
Down at Your feet
And anytime that I don't know
What to do
I will cast all my cares upon You
CCLI Song # 25974
Kelly Willard
© 1978 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.)
For use solely with the SongSelect®. Terms of Use. All rights reserved. www.ccli.com
CCLI License # 2332347
Reading: 1 Peter 5:6-9a
Humble yourselves under God’s mighty hand, so that God may exalt you in due time. Cast all your anxiety on the one who cares for you. Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion, your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. Resist the devil, steadfast in your faith. (1 Peter 5:6-9a)
The reading of scripture is followed by extended silence for reflection and meditation. The silence may conclude with the following responsory.
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
You have redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
Glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Into your hands, I commend my spirit.
Prayers
Hear my prayer, O Lord;
listen to my cry.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings.
In righteousness I shall see you;
when I awake, your presence will give me joy.
Be present, merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of life may find our rest in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, support us all the day long of this troubled life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work or watch or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, comfort the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen.
Lord’s Prayer
Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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,
and the power, and the glory,
forever and ever. Amen.
Now in peace I will lie down and sleep;
you alone, O God, make me secure.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
