Adapted from Celtic Benedictions of J. Philip Newell
The Rosette Nebula is the largest hydrogen, sulfur, and Oxygen gas cloud in the constellation of Monoceros. It is 5200 light years away from the Earth. Photo from the Hubble space telescope.
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I commune with my heart in the night, I meditate and search my spirit. Psalm 77:6
We prepare our hearts with a time of silence.
Be still and aware of God’s presence within and all around.
Out of the silence at the beginning of time
you spoke the Word of life.
Out of the world’s primeval darkness
you flooded the universe with light.
In the quiet of this place
in the dark of the night
I wait and watch.
In the stillness of my soul
and from its fathomless depths
the senses of my heart are awake to you.
For fresh soundings of life
for new showings of light
I search in the silence of my spirit, O God.
The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful night and a perfect end. Amen.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
The maker of heaven and earth.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
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.
Alleluia.
Psalm 31
In you, O LORD, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; *
deliver me in your righteousness.
Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me.
Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold; *
for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.
Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength.
Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
for you have redeemed me, O LORD, O God of truth.
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.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)
Thanks be to God.
V. Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
R. For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
V. Keep us, O Lord, as the apple of your eye;
R. Hide us under the shadow of your wings.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
Lord, hear our prayer.
And let our cry come to you.
Let us pray.
Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, and illumine this night with your celestial brightness; that by night as by day your people may glorify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other’s toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We pause now to recall the events of the day and to pray for the life of the world, either silently or aloud, concluding with:
Thanks be to you, O God,
for the night and its light,
for stars that emerge out of evening skies
and the white moon’s radiance.
Thanks be to you
for the earth’s unfolding of colour
and the bright sheen of creatures from
ocean depths.
In the darkness of the world
and in the night of my own soul
let me be looking with longing for light
let me be looking in hope.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
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.
Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the grace of the night’s stillness be ours
may the grace of the moon’s guidance be ours
may the grace of heaven’s vastness be ours
to renew our souls in sleep
to enlighten our spirits to eternity
until the angels of light awaken us
until the morning angels awaken us.
And may the almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.
Virtual Chapel of St. Phoebe 