Night Prayer for Wednesday, May 27, 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
All Creatures of Our God and King
or This version by contemporary artist David Crowder
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 100
1Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all you lands!
2Serve the Lord with gladness; come into God’s presence with a song.
3Know that the Lord is God, our maker to whom we belong;
we are God’s people and the sheep of God’s pasture.
4Enter the gates of the Lord with thanksgiving and the courts with praise;
give thanks and bless God’s holy name.
5Good indeed is the Lord, whose steadfast love is everlasting,
whose faithfulness endures from age to age.
Lord our God, we come before you with thanksgiving and praise, for you have created us as your people and you sustain us with your hand. Nourish us in your rich pasture and keep us in your steadfast love, that we may bless your name and serve you with gladness day after day; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.
Song
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
A hymn or song appropriate to the time of day or the season may be sung.
Reading: John 1:2–4 CEB
The Word was with God in the beginning.
Everything came into being through the Word, and without the Word nothing came into being. What came into being through the Word was life, and the life was the light for all people.
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.
Lord Jesus Christ, our good shepherd, you give us new birth in the waters of baptism, you anoint us with oil, and you nourish us at your table with heavenly food. In your goodness and mercy, dispel the shadows of evil and death, and lead us along safe paths, that we may rest securely in you and dwell in the house of the Lord now and forever, for your name’s sake. Amen.
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.
