R. I. P. George Verwer

Wolf Paul, 2023-04-15

R. I. P. George Verwer

This just in from Lawrence Tong, the international director of Operation Mobilisation:

“It is with great sadness that I share that our brother George Verwer (founder of Operation Mobilization) has left us for glory last night 14th April 2023 at 23:06 hrs. He died peacefully at his home with his wife Drena, daughter Christa and a good family friend Cathy Rendal by his side.”

George has been an important influence in my life: it was through the ministry he founded that 52 years ago I came to a personal faith in Christ, and later I had several personal encounters with him.

His passing is on the one hand grounds for rejoicing that he has, in the words of St. Paul, “fought the good fight, he has finished the race, he has kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for him the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to him but also to all who have loved Christ’s appearing.” (2 Tim 4:7, alt.). He is free from the cancer that increasingly plagued him the past few months, and, to echo St. Paul again, he is “absent from the body, and present with the Lord” (2 Cor 5:8).

But at the same time there is sadness, and the realization that (at least to me) this is the end of an era. At a time when so many Christians are preoccupied with their rights and their efforts to change the world (or to prevent change) George was a humble servant who remained focussed on the task of preaching the Gospel to those who have not yet heard it, and equipping others to do the same.

So the letters R. I. P. at the top of this post stand, not for “rest in peace“, but for “He does, indeed, rest in peace, the peace of God!”

Here is George’s final video blog where he talks about his legacy:

YouTube player

ChatGPT, or The “world” is not the “Kingdom”

Wolf Paul, 2023-04-14

Recently a Christian leader I respect and follow on Facebook commented,

Chat GPT is the most biased tool used to  propagate anti-christian worldview. Be careful. It rarely gets stuff correct, always adding a slight tint meant to demean Christianity.

That hasn’t been my experience. Of course ChatGPT is not a Christian tool and thus won’t give Christian answers, and of course it gets a lot of things wrong (not just about Christianity or the Bible), and of course, being a product of 21st century secular society it prioritizes “equality, inclusiveness, and diversity” over the free exchange of ideas and appends politically correct disclaimers to any potentially (politically or ideologically) controversial answer (after all, it doesn’t want to be cancelled), but so does just about any tool or platform which today’s secular world offers, whether Google, Bing, Wikipedia, and even Facebook where this brother posted his comment.

However, even if those assertions about ChatGPT were true, this comment seems to reflect an expectation that the world should cease to be the world and become more like the Kingdom of God, or that the world, as well as it’s institutions, tools, and laws, should conform to Bible-based Christian or Judeo-Christian values.

While this has for a long time been the expectation of many Christians in the United States and among Christian communities elsewhere influenced by American missionaries, it is an expectation that is foreign to most Christians outside the “Christian West” and to many within it.

I know many American Christians believe that the “Founding Fathers” had exactly that expectation in mind, but whether this is true or not, given Jesus’ words in Mt. 7:13+14, if you set up a society based on democracy (i.e. majority rule, with freedom of religion), the largely secular and non-Christian societies we have today in the US and in the West in general are exactly what we should expect: over time a majority of people choosing the wide gate, and building secular society in conformity with that path, regardless of the founders’ convictions or intentions.

This expectation and the belief in a “Christian society” which we have to somehow recover or restore leads to much frustration, with Christans spending much energy on turning society around through legislation, with all the attendant political belligerence and partisanship, instead of spending their energy on building a counter-cultural community that witnesses to Christ’s saving power, and which will have our unbelieving neighbors saying, “Look how they love one another! Can I be a part of that?” (Jn 13:34+35)

Mind you, I am not advocating that we withdraw from the world (á la the “Benedict Option”[1]), or abdicate our responsibility as citizens of a democracy to speak truth to power and influence the world through the political process; but we do so primarily as individual citizens rather than as the church, and we follow the rules of the “game” and accept results which don’t go our way.[2] Most of all we don’t pin our hope on our political efforts and get too emotionally invested in them[3] for if we do, not only will we be disappointed but the world will perceive us as bellicose and belligerent political combatants rather than as loving witnesses to the Kindom of God.[4]

This Kingdom of God will not be fully realized until Christ returns; and we cannot hasten its realization “by might and by power” (Zech. 4:6) or by electing the right politicians.[5]

__________
  1. or at least, as the Benedict Option is often construed and understood[↩]
  2. And we don’t argue for our positions primarily by pointing to the Bible but by arguments which appeal to those who don’t see the Bible as an authority[↩]
  3. for example, to eliminate discrimination against Christian positions, as if we could somehow work our way around Jesus’ assertion that “in the world you will have tribulation” Jn 16:33[↩]
  4. When we publicly rail against laws that contravene our values, in ways that paint our opponents as immoral wr are actually trying to “convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment” (Jn 16:8), and that is not our job but the Holy Spirit’s. He is much better at it than we can ever be.[↩]
  5. Psalm 146:3 says, “Put not your trust in princes (or presidents, or governors, or Supreme Court justices), in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs (or he loses his re-election bid), he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish.” [↩]

Medienvielfalt?

Wolf Paul,

Angesichts von Einsparungen, die durch die aktuelle Kostenexplosion notwendig seien, klagt Kurier-Geschäftsführer Thomas Kralinger unter anderem über die Konkurrenz durch text-basierte Angebote des ORF[1] und ruft nach Beschränkungen derselben.

Ich bin da anderer Meinung.

Mir ist klar, daß eine möglichst große Medienvielfalt generell für gut und wünschenswert gehalten wird, aber was tragen Printmedien wie Heute, Österreich/Ö24, Kronenzeitung, Kurier, Die Ganze Woche, usw, tatsächlich zum Funktionieren unserer Demokratie bei?

Dem wirtschaftlichen Überleben von in Privatbesitz befindlichen Printmedien steht das Recht der Bevölkerung auf unabhängige, möglichst objektive Nachrichtenversorgung ohne Zusatzkosten gegenüber, vor allem, wenn demächst eine Haushaltsabgabe[2] von allen Haushalten eingehoben werden wird.

Ein ORF,

  • der zu fairer und faktenbasierter Berichterstattung verpflichtet ist, die auch einklagbar sein müßte,
  • der von der gesamten Bevölkerung durch die Haushaltsabgabe finanziert wird[3], und
  • dessen Kontollgremien selbstverständlich von der jeweiligen Regierung möglichst unabhängig sein müßten,

sollte Vorrang haben vor einer Vielfalt von Printmedien, die unterschiedliche kommerzielle, politische, und weltanschauliche Interessen vertreten, ohne diese offen zu deklarieren.

Medienvielfalt ist gut und wünschenswert, wenn sie ein staatlich nicht eingeschränkter Markt hervorbringt und finanziell trägt, aber ich bitte folgendes zu bedenken:

Viel Nutzer von ORF Online würden sich bei Fehlen desselben trotzdem keine gedruckte Tageszeitung oder kostenpflichtiges Digitalabo leisten[4]; wir befriedigen unser Nachrichten-Bedürfnis durch die Rundfunkangebote von ORF und Co;

  • Österreich hat europaweit die höchste Medienkonzentration – der Kurier hat eine Reichweite von lediglich 8%, sein wichtigster Konkurrent, und der aller anderen Printmedien in Österreich, ist nicht der angeblich übermächtige ORF, sondern die Kronenzeitung mit einer Reichweite von 32%. Alle Maßnahmen, die sich Herr Kralinger für den Kurier wünscht, kämen natürlich auch der Kronenzeitung zugute; und
  • meiner Meinung nach werden Medien, die nur dank staatlicher Förderungen und Maßnahmen wie der Einschränkung anderer Medien überleben können, und die nicht durch gesetzliche Vorgaben zur Unabhängigkeit und Objektivität verpflichtet sind, früher oder später zu Sprachrohren der jeweiligen Regierung.
__________
  1. Vermutlich hat er da eher das Portal ORF Online im Blick, als den immer noch dahindümpelten ORF Teletext oder auch die ORF Nachlese.[↩]
  2. Die Haushaltsabgabe ist letztlich eine neue Steuer, auch wenn krampfhaft versucht wird, sie aus politischen Gründen nicht so zu nennen[↩]
  3. Alle, die diese Haushaltsabgabe zahken, werden letztlich zu ORF-Abonnenten (de facto wenn auch nicht de jure) [↩]
  4. Full Disclosure: Ich leiste mir ein Abo von Readly um rund €10/Monat, sowie ein kostenloses Abo von read-it (beide auch mit Apps für Android und iOS), allerdings nicht wegen der enthaltenen Tageszeitungen, sondern wegen Fach- und Spartenzeitschriften[↩]

Rostiger, die Feuerwehr kommt: Mobbing in der Schule

Wolf Paul, 2023-04-13

Der der 2021 verstorbene Wiener Maler, Liedermacher und Sänger Arik Brauer hat viele gesellschaftskritische Lieder geschrieben und gesungen.

Seine Lieder sind auf Youtube zu finden, viele seiner bildnerischen Kunstwerke kann man in seiner Kunstsammlung bewundern, die von seiner Tochter Timna Brauer in seiner Villa in Wien-Döbling betrieben wird,

In diesem Lied, das mir heute untergekommen ist, thematisiert Arik Brauer das Mobbing in der Schule und drückt auch (mehr oder weniger ernsthaft) sein Bedauern über seine Beteiligung daran aus.

YouTube player

(Gesprochen) Wir hab′n in der Schul’ ein′ g’habt, den hab’n wir terrorisiert! Der hat rote Haar′ g′habt und Brill’n mit dicke, dicke Augenglas′ln
Und ich war der Allerärgste von allen. Und heut’ tut mir das ja so leid…

(Gesungen) Rostiger[1], die Feuerwehr kommt,
Schieb die Haar′ in’ Arsch.
Rostiger, die Feuerwehr kommt,
Schieb die Haar′ in’ Arsch.
Vieräugerter[2] scheangel[3] nicht,
Weil sonst nehm’ ich dir deine Glas′ln weg, –
Tralala, tralala, tralala, tralala –
Und der Bub der weint scho′ wieder
Und er Bub der weint.
Tralalala, tralalala…

Zerbrech’n wir ihm das Federpenal[4],
Schmeiß′n wir’s in Kanal.
Zerbrech′n wir ihm das Federpenal,
Schmeiß’n wir′s in Kanal.
Wasserschäd’l schau nicht so blöd,
Wasserschäd’l schau nicht so blöd,
Weil sonst nehm′ ich dir deine Guckascheck′n[5] weg, –
Tralala, tralala, tralala, tralala –
Und der Bub der weint scho’ wieder
Und er Bub der weint.
Tralalala, tralalala…

Geb′n wir ihm ein’ Knödelreiter[6],
Geb′n wir ihm ein’ Spitz[7].
Geb′n wir ihm ein’ Knödelreiter,
Geb’n wir ihm ein′ Spitz.
Rostiger, die Feuerwehr kommt.
Rostiger, die Feuerwehr kommt.
Und sie nehmen dir deine roten Federn weg.-
Tralala, tralala, tralala, tralala –
Und der Bub der weint scho′ wieder
Und er Bub der weint.
Rostiger, die Feuerwehr kommt…

__________
  1. Rothaariger[↩]
  2. Brillenträger[↩]
  3. schiele[↩]
  4. Stiftebox[↩]
  5. Sommersprossen[↩]
  6. Kniestoß in den Oberschenkel[↩]
  7. Fußtritt, mit der Schuhspitze[↩]

Compline on Sunday

Wolf Paul, 2023-04-12

CCP

Sunday & Eastertide

THE PREPARATION

The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.

Our help is in the name of the Lord
Who made heaven and earth.

A period of silence follows, for reflection on the past day. Words of penitence may be used; the following or some other.

Most merciful God,
we confess to you,
before the whole company of heaven
   and one another,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
and in what we have failed to do.
Forgive us our sins,
heal us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.

Or:

Holy God,
holy and strong,
holy and immortal:
have mercy on us.

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 shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

A HYMN may be sung, the following or some other.

Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.

From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread under foot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.

Ordinary Doxology
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death. Amen.

Easter Doxology
All praise be yours, O risen Lord,
From death to endless life restored;
Whom, with the Father, we adore
And Holy Spirit evermore. Amen.

THE WORD OF GOD

THE PSALMODY

FROM PSALM 104

   
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul;*
O Lord my God, how excellent is your greatness!
2 You lay the beams of your chambers in the waters above;*
you make the clouds your chariot;
   you ride on the wings of the wind.
3 You make the winds your messengers*
and flames of fire your servants.
4 You send the springs into the valleys;*
they flow between the mountains.
5 All the beasts of the field drink their fill from them,*
and the wild asses quench their thirst.
6 Beside them the birds of the air make their nests*
and sing among the branches.
7 You water the mountains from your dwelling on high;*
the earth is fully satisfied by the fruit of your works.
8 You make grass grow for flocks and herds*
and plants to serve us all;
9 Yonder is the great and wide sea
   with its living things too many to number,*
creatures both small and great.
10 All of them look to you*
to give them their food in due season.
11 You give it to them, they gather it;*
you open your hand,
   and they are filled with good things.
12 May the glory of the Lord endure for ever;*
may the Lord rejoice in all his works.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

THE READING: the following or some other.

The servants of the Lamb shall see the face of God, whose name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night: they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for God will be their light; and they will reign for ever and ever.

Revelation 22. 4-5

THE RESPONSORY may be said.

Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)
Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)

For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
I commend my spirit. (Or: Alleluia! Alleluia!)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
   and to the Holy Spirit;
Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)

Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me under the shadow of your wings.

THE GOSPEL CANTICLE: NUNC DIMITTIS (39)

   
R: Save us,* O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep may rest in peace.
Or, in Eastertide:
R: Alleluia!* The Lord is risen, alleluia!
as he promised to you. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Or, on feasts:
R: Grant us your light, O Lord,*
that the darkness of our hearts being overcome,
we may receive the true light,
even Christ our Saviour.
1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:*
your word has been fulfilled.
2 My own eyes have seen the salvation*
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
3 A light to reveal you to the nations*
and the glory of your people Israel.           Luke 2. 29-32

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

The refrain is repeated after the canticle.

THE PRAYERS

Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here, or at any point in this section.

THE COLLECT: one of the following or some other.

Almighty God,
by triumphing over the powers of darkness
Christ has prepared a place for us
   in the new Jerusalem:
may we, who have this day given thanks
   for his resurrection,
praise him in the eternal city
of which he is the light;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or:

Lighten our darkness,
Lord, we pray;
and in your mercy defend us
from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER may be said.

[As we come to the ending of the day,
let us pray as our Redeemer has 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,
   the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.] Amen.

A devotional ANTHEM may be sung here, or after the blessing.

THE BLESSING

In peace, we will lie down and sleep;
For you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.

Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
For the night is at hand and the day is now past.

As the night-watch looks for the morning,
So do we look for you, O Christ.

[Come with the dawning of the day
And make yourself known
in the breaking of the bread.]

May the risen Lord Jesus watch over us and renew us
   as he renews the whole of creation.
May our hearts and lives echo his love. Amen.

Compline on Monday

Wolf Paul,

CCP

Monday & Pentecost

THE PREPARATION

The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.

Our help is in the name of the Lord
Who made heaven and earth.

A period of silence follows, for reflection on the past day. Words of penitence may be used; the following or some other.

Most merciful God,
we confess to you,
before the whole company of heaven
   and one another,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
and in what we have failed to do.
Forgive us our sins,
heal us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.

Or:

Holy God,
holy and strong,
holy and immortal:
have mercy on us.

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 shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

A HYMN may be sung, the following or some other.

Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.

From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread under foot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.

Ordinary Doxology
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death. Amen.

Pentecost Doxology
To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit praise be done:
May Christ the Lord upon us pour
The Spirit’s gift for evermore. Amen.

THE WORD OF GOD

THE PSALMODY

From PSALM 86

 

   
1 Bow down your ear, O Lord, and answer me,*
for I am poor and in misery.
2 Keep watch over my life, for I am faithful;*
save your servant who trusts in you.
3 Be merciful to me, O Lord, for you are my God;*
I call upon you all the day long.
4 Gladden the soul of your servant,*
for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,*
and great is your love towards all who call upon you.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer,*
and attend to the voice of my supplications.
7 In the time of my trouble I will call upon you,*
for you will answer me.
8 All nations you have made
   will come and worship you, O Lord,*
and glorify your name.
9 For you are great; you do wondrous things;*
and you alone are God.
10 Teach me your way, O Lord,
   and I will walk in your truth;*
knit my heart to you that I may fear your name.
11 I will thank you, O Lord my God, with all my heart,*
and glorify your name for evermore.
12 You, O Lord, are gracious and full of compassion,*
slow to anger and full of kindness and truth.
13 Turn to me and have mercy upon me;*
give your strength to your servant.

 

The psalm may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

 

 

THE READING: one of the following or some other.

In returning and rest, you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength.

Isaiah 30. 15

Or (and especially in Pentecost):
I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. The old shall dream dreams and the young see visions.

Joel 2. 28

Or (and especially on feasts of Apostles & Evangelists or Missionaries):
You are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.

Ephesians 2. 19-21

THE RESPONSORY may be said.

Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)
Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)

For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
I commend my spirit. (Or: Alleluia! Alleluia!)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
   and to the Holy Spirit:
Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)

Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me under the shadow of your wings.

THE GOSPEL CANTICLE: NUNC DIMITTIS (39)

 

   
R: Save us,* O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep may rest in peace.
Or, in Pentecost:
R: Alleluia!* The Holy Spirit, the Advocate, alleluia!
shall teach you all things. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Or, on feasts:
R: Grant us your light, O Lord,*
that the darkness of our hearts being overcome,
we may receive the true light,
even Christ our Saviour.
1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:*
your word has been fulfilled.
2 My own eyes have seen the salvation*
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
3 A light to reveal you to the nations*
and the glory of your people Israel.           Luke 2. 29-32

 

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

The refrain is repeated by all.

THE PRAYERS

Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here, or at any point in this section.

THE COLLECT: one of the following or some other.

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 rest upon your eternal changelessness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 6*

Or (and especially in Pentecost):

Come, O Spirit of God,
and make within us your dwelling place and home.
May our darkness be dispelled by your light,
and our troubles calmed by your peace;
may all evil be redeemed by your love,
all pain transformed through the suffering of Christ,
and all dying glorified in his risen life. Amen. 7*

THE LORD’S PRAYER may be said.

[As we come to the ending of the day,
let us pray as our Redeemer has 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,
   the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.] Amen.

A devotional ANTHEM may be sung here, or after the blessing.

THE BLESSING

In peace, we will lie down and sleep;
For you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.

Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
For the night is at hand and the day is now past.

As the night-watch looks for the morning,
So do we look for you, O Christ.

[Come with the dawning of the day
And make yourself known
   in the breaking of the bread.]

The Lord bless us and watch over us,
the Lord make his face shine upon us
   and be gracious to us,
the Lord look kindly on us and give us peace. Amen.

Or (and especially in Pentecost):

May the Holy Spirit of God bless and sanctify us
so that we may be consecrated in the truth. Amen.

 

May the Holy Spirit of God bless and sanctify us
so that we may be consecrated in the truth. Amen.

Compline on Tuesday

Wolf Paul,

CCP

Tuesday & Advent

THE PREPARATION

The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
Amen.

Our help is in the name of the Lord
Who made heaven and earth.

 A period of silence follows, for reflection on the past day. Words of penitence may be used; the following or some other.

Most merciful God,
we confess to you,
before the whole company of heaven
   and one another,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
and in what we have failed to do.
Forgive us our sins,
heal us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.

Or:

Holy God,
holy and strong,
holy and immortal:
have mercy on us.

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 shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

A HYMN may be sung, the following or some other.

Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.

From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread under foot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.

Ordinary Doxology
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death. Amen.

Advent Doxology
To you, O Christ, all glory be,
Whose advent sets your people free;
Whom, with the Father, we adore,
And Holy Spirit, evermore. Amen.

THE WORD OF GOD

THE PSALMODY

From PSALM 143

   
1 Lord, hear my prayer,
   and in your faithfulness heed my supplications;*
answer me in your righteousness.
2 Enter not into judgement with your servant,*
for in your sight shall no one living be justified.
3 For my enemy has sought my life
   and has crushed me to the ground;*
making me live in dark places
   like those who are long dead.
4 My spirit faints within me;*
my heart within me is desolate.
5 I remember the time past;
   I muse upon all your deeds;*
I consider the works of your hands.
6 I spread out my hands to you;*
my soul gasps to you like a thirsty land.
7 O Lord, make haste to answer me;
   my spirit fails me;*
do not hide your face from me
   or I shall be like those who go down to the Pit.
8 Let me hear of your loving-kindness in the morning,
   for I put my trust in you;*
show me the road that I must walk,
   for I lift up my soul to you.
9 Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord,*
for I flee to you for refuge.
10 Teach me to do what pleases you,
show me the road that I must walk,
   for you are my God;*
let your good Spirit lead me on level ground.
11 Revive me, O Lord, for your name’s sake;*
for your righteousness’ sake,
show me the road that I must walk,
   bring me out of trouble.

The psalm may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

THE READING: one of the following or some other.

Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Matthew 11. 28-30

Or (and especially in Advent):
Watch, therefore – for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning – lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Watch.

Mark 13. 35-end

Or (and especially on feasts of Religious):
Blessèd are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; blessèd are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Matthew 5. 3, 8

THE RESPONSORY may be said.

Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)
Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)

For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
I commend my spirit. (Or: Alleluia! Alleluia!)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
   and to the Holy Spirit:
Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)

Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me under the shadow of your wings.

THE GOSPEL CANTICLE: NUNC DIMITTIS (39)

   
R: Save us,* O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep may rest in peace.
Or, in Advent:
R: Come, O Lord,* and visit us in peace;
let us rejoice before you with a perfect heart.
Or, on feasts:
R: Grant us your light, O Lord,*
that the darkness of our hearts being overcome,
we may receive the true light,
even Christ our Saviour.
1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:*
your word has been fulfilled.
2 My own eyes have seen the salvation*
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
3 A light to reveal you to the nations*
and the glory of your people Israel.           Luke 2. 29-32

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

The refrain is repeated by all.

THE PRAYERS

Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here, or at any point in this section.

THE COLLECT: one of the following or some other.

Look down, O God,
from your heavenly throne,
illuminate the darkness of this night
with your celestial brightness,
and from the children of light
banish the deeds of darkness;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Or:

Lighten our darkness,
Lord, we pray;
and in your mercy defend us from all perils
   and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Or, in Advent:

Stir up your power, O God,
and come among us.
Heal our wounds,
calm our fears
and give us peace;
through Jesus our Redeemer. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER may be said.

[As we come to the ending of the day,
let us pray as our Redeemer has 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.
Forgive us our trespasses,
   as we forgive those   who trespass against us.
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.

A devotional ANTHEM may be sung here, or after the blessing.

THE BLESSING

In peace, we will lie down and sleep;
For you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.

Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
For the night is at hand and the day is now past.

As the night-watch looks for the morning,
So do we look for you, O Christ.

[Come with the dawning of the day
And make yourself known
in the breaking of the bread.]

Restore us again, O God of hosts,
Show us the light of your countenance
and we shall be saved.
Bless and keep us, this night and always. Amen.

Compline on Wednesday

Wolf Paul,

CCP

Wednesday &  Christmastide

THE PREPARATION

The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.

Our help is in the name of the Lord
Who made heaven and earth. 

A period of silence follows, for reflection on the past day. Words of penitence may be used; the following or some other.

Most merciful God,
we confess to you,
before the whole company of heaven
   and one another,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
and in what we have failed to do.
Forgive us our sins,
heal us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.

Or:

Holy God,
holy and strong,
holy and immortal:
have mercy on us.

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 shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

A HYMN may be sung, the following or some other.

Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.

From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread under foot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.

Ordinary Doxology
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death. Amen.

Christmas Doxology
Lord Jesus, King of heaven and earth:
We praise you for your virgin birth;
You are the Father’s only Son,
With God the Spirit, ever one. Amen.

THE WORD OF GOD

THE PSALMODY

From PSALM 31

   
1 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;
   let me never be put to shame;*
deliver me in your righteousness.
2 Incline your ear to me;*
make haste to deliver me.
3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe,*
   for you are my crag and my stronghold;
4 for the sake of your name,*
lead me and guide me.
5 Into your hands I commend my spirit,*
for you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
6 I will rejoice and be glad because of your mercy;*
for you have seen my affliction;
   you know my distress.
7 I have put my trust in you, O Lord.*
I have said, ‘You are my God.
8 ‘Make your face to shine upon your servant,*
and in your loving-kindness save me.’
9 How great is your goodness, O Lord,*
which you have laid up for those who fear you;
10 Blessèd be the Lord!*
for he has shown me the wonders of his love.
11 Love the Lord, all you who worship him;*
the Lord protects the faithful.
12 Be strong and let your heart take courage,*
all you who wait for the Lord.

The psalm may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

THE READING: one of the following or some other.

Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that in due time you may be exalted. Cast all your anxieties on God, who cares about you.

1 Peter 5. 6-7

Or:

In him was life and the life was the light of all. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1. 4-5

Or on feasts of the BVM:

Mary said, Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.

Luke 1. 38

THE RESPONSORY may be said.

Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)
Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)

For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
I commend my spirit. (Or: Alleluia! Alleluia!)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
   and to the Holy Spirit:
Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)

Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me under the shadow of your wings.

THE GOSPEL CANTICLE: NUNC DIMITTIS (39)

   
R: Save us,* O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep may rest in peace.
Or, in Christmastide:
R: Alleluia!* The Word was made flesh, alleluia!
and dwelt among us. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Or, on feasts of the BVM:
R: Blessèd are you, Mary,*
the Lord is with you,
through you we received our Redeemer,
the Lord Jesus Christ.
Or, on other feasts:
R: Grant us your light, O Lord,*
that the darkness of our hearts being overcome,
we may receive the true light,
even Christ our Saviour.
1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:*
your word has been fulfilled.
2 My own eyes have seen the salvation*
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
3 A light to reveal you to the nations*
and the glory of your people Israel.           Luke 2. 29-32

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

The refrain is repeated by all.

THE PRAYERS

Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here, or at any point in this section.

THE COLLECT: one of the following or some other.

Visit this house, O Lord, we pray,
drive far from it all the snares of the enemy;
may your holy angels dwell with us
   and guard us in peace
and may your blessing be always upon us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or:

Lighten our darkness,
Lord, we pray;
and in your mercy defend us from all perils
   and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Or, in Christmastide:

We give you thanks, O God,
for the gift to the world of our Redeemer;
as we sing your glory at the close of this day,
so may we know his presence in our hearts,
who is our Saviour and our Lord,
now and for ever. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER may be said.

[As we come to the ending of the day,
let us pray as our Redeemer has 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.
Forgive us our trespasses,
   as we forgive those    who trespass against us.
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.

A devotional ANTHEM may be sung here, or after the blessing.

THE BLESSING

In peace, we will lie down and sleep;
For you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.

Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
For the night is at hand and the day is now past.

As the night-watch looks for the morning,
So do we look for you, O Christ.

[Come with the dawning of the day
And make yourself known
   in the breaking of the bread.]

May the love of the Word made flesh enfold us,
his joy fill our lives,
his peace be in our hearts;
and the blessing of God be with us
this night and always. Amen.

Compline on Thursday

Wolf Paul,

Thursday & daily in Epiphanytide

THE PREPARATION

The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.

Our help is in the name of the Lord
Who made heaven and earth.

 A period of silence follows, for reflection on the past day. Words of penitence may be used; the following or some other.

Most merciful God,
we confess to you,
before the whole company of heaven
   and one another,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
and in what we have failed to do.
Forgive us our sins,
heal us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.

Or:

Holy God,
holy and strong,
holy and immortal:
have mercy on us.

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 shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

A HYMN may be sung, the following or some other.

Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.

From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread under foot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.

Ordinary Doxology
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death. Amen.

Epiphany Doxology
Your glory, Christ, is manifest:
All peoples, Lord, by you are blest;
Whom, with the Father, we adore,
And Holy Spirit evermore. Amen.

THE WORD OF GOD

THE PSALMODY

From PSALM 16

   
1 Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you;*
I have said to the Lord,
   ‘You are my Lord, my good above all other.’
2 All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land,*
upon those who are noble among the people.
3 O Lord, you are my portion and my cup;*
it is you who uphold my lot.
4 My boundaries enclose a pleasant land;*
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
5 I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel;*
my heart teaches me, night after night.
6 I have set the Lord always before me;*
because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.
7 My heart, therefore, is glad and my spirit rejoices;*
my body also shall rest in hope.
8 For you will not abandon me to the grave,*
nor let your holy one see the Pit.
9 You will show me the path of life;*
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
   and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

The psalm may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

THE READING: one of the following or some other.

Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil is prowling round like a roaring lion, seeking for someone to devour. Resist him, strong in the faith.

1 Peter 5. 8, 9

Or (and especially in Epiphanytide):

The grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all.

Titus 2. 11

Or on feasts of Teachers & Confessors or Bishops:

Wisdom guides us on straight paths; she shows us the kingdom of heaven and gives us knowledge of holy things.

Wisdom 10. 10

THE RESPONSORY may be said.

Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)
Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)

For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
I commend my spirit. (Or: Alleluia! Alleluia!)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
   and to the Holy Spirit:
Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)

Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me under the shadow of your wings.

THE GOSPEL CANTICLE: NUNC DIMITTIS (39)

   
R: Save us,* O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep may rest in peace.
Or, on the feast of the Epiphany:
R: Alleluia!* All they from Sheba shall come. Alleluia!
They shall bring gold and incense. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Or, in Epiphanytide:
R: Alleluia!* Christ the light of the world, alleluia!
has manifested his glory. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Or, on feasts:
R: Grant us your light, O Lord,*
that the darkness of our hearts being overcome,
we may receive the true light,
even Christ our Saviour.
1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:*
your word has been fulfilled.
2 My own eyes have seen the salvation*
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
3 A light to reveal you to the nations*
and the glory of your people Israel.           Luke 2. 29-32

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

The refrain is repeated after the canticle.

THE PRAYERS

Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here, or at any point in this section.

THE COLLECT: one of the following or some other.

Lighten our darkness,
Lord, we pray;
and in your mercy defend us from all perils
   and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Or:

King of kings and Lord of lords,
making the true light to shine:
lighten our darkness now and evermore
that with our lips
   and in our lives
we may praise you;
for you are our God, now and for ever. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER may be said.

[As we come to the ending of the day,
let us pray as our Redeemer has 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,
   the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.] Amen.

A devotional ANTHEM may be sung here, or after the blessing.

THE BLESSING

In peace, we will lie down and sleep;
For you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.

Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
For the night is at hand and the day is now past.

As the night-watch looks for the morning,
So do we look for you, O Christ.

[Come with the dawning of the day
And make yourself known
in the breaking of the bread.]

May God’s love surround us,
God’s joy fill our lives,
God’s peace be in our hearts,
and God’s blessing be with us
this night and always. Amen.

Or (and especially in Epiphanytide):

May the living waters of Christ cleanse us,
may the Spirit descend upon us,
and the blessing of God be with us
   this night and always. Amen.

Or (and especially at the Presentation):

May Christ our light fill our darkness with his radiance,
and God’s blessing be always upon us. Amen.

Compline on Friday

Wolf Paul,

Friday & daily in Lent & Passiontide

THE PREPARATION

The Lord almighty grant us a quiet night and a perfect end. Amen.

Our help is in the name of the Lord
Who made heaven and earth.

A period of silence follows, for reflection on the past day. Words of penitence may be used; the following or some other.

Most merciful God,
we confess to you,
before the whole company of heaven
   and one another,
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
and in what we have failed to do.
Forgive us our sins,
heal us by your Spirit
and raise us to new life in Christ. Amen.

Or:

Holy God,
holy and strong,
holy and immortal:
have mercy on us. 

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 shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

A HYMN may be sung, the following or some other.

Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That you, with steadfast love, would keep
Your watch around us while we sleep.

From evil dreams defend our sight,
From fears and terrors of the night;
Tread under foot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.

Ordinary Doxology
O Father, that we ask be done
Through Jesus Christ, your only Son;
And Holy Spirit, by whose breath
Our souls are raised to life from death. Amen.

Lent Doxology
Grant, ever blessèd Trinity,
And ever perfect Unity,
That this, our fast of forty days,
May work our profit and your praise. Amen.

Passiontide Doxology
To you, O saving Three in One,
Let homage due by all be done;
And grant us, by the cross restored,
To share the Victor’s great reward. Amen.

THE WORD OF GOD

THE PSALMODY

From PSALM 139

   
1 Lord, you have searched me out and known me;*
you know my sitting down and my rising up;
   you discern my thoughts from afar.
2 You trace my journeys and my resting-places*
and are acquainted with all my ways.
3 Indeed, there is not a word on my lips,*
but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
4 You press upon me behind and before*
and lay your hand upon me.
5 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;*
it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
6 Where can I go then from your Spirit?*
where can I flee from your presence?
7 If I climb up to heaven, you are there;*
if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
8 If I take the wings of the morning*
and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
9 Even there your hand will lead me*
and your right hand hold me fast.
10 If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will cover me,*
and the light around me turn to night’,
11 Darkness is not dark to you;
   the night is as bright as the day;*
darkness and light to you are both alike.
12 For you yourself created my inmost parts;*
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
13 I will thank you because I am marvellously made;*
your works are wonderful and I know it well.
14 My body was not hidden from you,*
while I was being made in secret
   and woven in the depths of the earth.
15 Your eyes beheld my limbs,
   yet unfinished in the womb;*
all of them were written in your book.
16 They were fashioned day by day,*
   when as yet there was none of them.
17 How deep I find your thoughts, O God!*
how great is the sum of them!
18 If I were to count them,
   they would be more in number than the sand;*
to count them all,
   my life span would need to be like yours.
19 Search me out, O God, and know my heart;*
try me and know my restless thoughts.
20 Look well whether there be any wickedness in me*
and lead me in the way that is everlasting.

The psalm may end with:

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

THE READING: one of the following or some other.

God has not destined us to the terrors of judgement but to the full attainment of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we wake or sleep, we might live with him.

1 Thessalonians 5. 9-10

Or (and especially in Lent):

Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free and to break every yoke¿ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Isaiah 58. 6, 7

Or (and especially in Passiontide):

On that day, I will pour out on my people a spirit of compassion so that, when they look on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a first-born.

Zechariah 12. 8, 10

Or on feasts of Martyrs:

Love is strong as death, passion fierce as the grave: its flashes are flashes of fire, a raging flame. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it.

Song of Songs 8. 6-7

THE RESPONSORY may be said.

Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)
Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)

For you have redeemed me, Lord God of truth.
I commend my spirit. (Or: Alleluia! Alleluia!)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
   and to the Holy Spirit:
Into your hands, O Lord,
   I commend my spirit. (Alleluia! Alleluia!)

Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me under the shadow of your wings.

THE GOSPEL CANTICLE: NUNC DIMITTIS (39)

   
R: Save us,* O Lord, while waking,
and guard us while sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep may rest in peace.
Or, in Lent:
R: Christ died for us,*
so that, whether we wake or sleep,
we might live with him.
Or, in Passiontide:
R: Christ himself bore our sins
in his body on the tree,*
that we might die to sin
and live to righteousness.
Or, on feasts:
R: Grant us your light, O Lord,*
that the darkness of our hearts being overcome,
we may receive the true light,
even Christ our Saviour.
1 Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace:*
your word has been fulfilled.
2 My own eyes have seen the salvation*
which you have prepared in the sight of every people;
3 A light to reveal you to the nations*
and the glory of your people Israel.           Luke 2. 29-32

Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and shall be forever.
Amen. [Alleluja! (Omitted in Lent)]

The refrain is repeated after the canticle.

THE PRAYERS

Intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered here, or at any point in this section.

THE COLLECT: one of the following or some other.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
who at this evening hour lay in the tomb
and so hallowed the grave
to be a bed of hope
for all who put their trust in you:
give us such sorrow for our sins,
which were the cause of your passion,
that, when our bodies lie in the dust,
our souls may live with you for ever. Amen. 6*

Or in Lent:

Almighty God,
may we, by the prayer and discipline of Lent,
enter into the mystery of Christ’s sufferings;
that by following in the Way,
we may come to share in the glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Or (and especially in Passiontide):

Almighty God,
as we stand at the foot of the cross of your Son,
help us to see and know your love for us,
so that in humility, love and joy
we may place at his feet
all that we have and all that we are;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER may be said.

[As we come to the ending of the day,
let us pray as our Redeemer has 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,
   the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.] Amen.

A devotional ANTHEM may be sung here, or after the blessing.

THE BLESSING

In peace, we will lie down and sleep;
For you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.

Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
For the night is at hand and the day is now past.

As the night-watch looks for the morning,
So do we look for you, O Christ.

[Come with the dawning of the day
And make yourself known
in the breaking of the bread.]

May God bless us,
that in us may be found love and humility,
obedience and thanksgiving,
discipline, gentleness and peace. Amen.