Night Prayer: Thursday 5 June 2025

Boniface of Mainz, Bishop, Missionary and Martyr, 754

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

O God, make speed to save us;
O Lord, make haste to help us.

Glory to God, source of all being, Eternal Word, and Holy Spirit;*
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever.

Alleluia!

PSALMODY

Opening This or another suitable opening hymn may be sung.

"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 underfoot our deadly foe
That we no sinful thought may know.

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."

Antiphon: My body* shall rest in hope.

Psalm: 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. But those who run after other gods*
shall have their troubles multiplied.

4. Their libations of blood I will not offer,*
nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.

5. O Lord, you are my portion and my cup;*
it is you who uphold my lot.

6. My boundaries enclose a pleasant land;*
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.

7. I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel;*
my heart teaches me, night after night.

8. I have set the Lord always before me;*
because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.

9. My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices;*
my body also shall rest in hope.


10. For you will not abandon me to the grave,*
nor let your holy one see the Pit.

11. 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.

Glory …

Antiphon: My body shall rest in hope.

READING(S)

1 Peter 5.6,7

Thanks be to God.

Silence

Response Psalm 31.5

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.
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.
Preserve us as the apple of your eye. Hide us under the shadow of your wings.

Song of Simeon

Antiphon: Preserve us, O Lord,* while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

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.
Glory…

Antiphon: Preserve us, O Lord, while waking, and guard us while sleeping, that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep we may rest in peace.

PRAYERS

Collect

Keep watch, O God, with those who wake, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, comfort the suffering, pity the distressed, sustain the dying, and console those who mourn; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Conclusion

The Lord be with you;
and also with you.
Let us bless the Lord;
Thanks be to God.
May the almighty and merciful God, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, bless and keep us.
Amen.

or

May we be hidden under the shadow of God’s wings, this night and for ever.
Amen.