January 29, 2024
Join St. Phoebe School at 8 p.m. ET Sunday-Thursday to pray Compline: Zoom Link for Compline
This evening’s compline service mainly comes from Praying with the Earth: A Prayerbook for Peace by J. Philip Newell
Blessed are those who know their need for theirs is the grace of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
Prayer of Awareness
As light gives way to darkness
and the busyness of day concedes to night’s stillness.
As conscious thought surrenders to dreams
and our bodies long for rest
we pause to listen
for the beat of your Presence in all things
pulsing in the light of distant galaxies
sounding in the depths of our soul
vibrating in each vein of earth’s body.
One sound as vast as the universe
one universe filled with Presence
one Life within every life.
In the darkness of night
in the stillness that surrounds us
in the unknown depths of our being
we pause to listen.
(We hold time to be still and aware.)
The compassion of God is for all that has been made.
(Psalm 145.9)
(We hold time to be still and aware.)
Come to me, you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
(Matthew 11:28)
(We hold time to be still and aware.)
By the light of day and by the dark of night your God has not forgotten you.
(Quran – Daylight 93:1-3)
(We hold time to be still and aware.)
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit;
For you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
Keep us O Lord as the apple of your eye;
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.
Come, Holy One, come. Abide with us this night and hear our prayers.
(We name now our intercessions silently or aloud)
Prayer for the Life of the World
In lives where love has been born this day,*
Thanks be to you, O God.
In families where forgiveness has been strong*
Thanks be to You.
In nations where wrongs have been addressed
where tenderness has been cherished
and where visions for earth’s oneness have been served,*
Thanks be to You.
May those who are weary find rest this night.*
May those who carry great burden for their people find strength.
May the midwives of new beginnings in our world find hope.*
And may the least among us find greatness
strength in our souls
worth in our words
love in our living.
Prayer of Evening Blessings
In sleep may we be made new this night.
In sleep may we let go of today
and release the worries of tomorrow.
In sleep may we know you
as Soul within our soul
as Guide within our dreams
as Lover within our longings.
In sleep may we be one with you
one with earth’s darkness
one with heaven’s shining
one with each creature dying
one with each newborn breath.
In sleep may we be one with you
and one with all.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful Lord, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us. Amen.
Compline for the Week of February 18 was prepared by the Rev. Hope Laingen, Deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Caroina (and St. Phoebe School alum)
Virtual Chapel of St. Phoebe 