I’m becoming a fan of night prayer, also called compline. It is the last prayer that a community prays together before turning in for the night. In our hymnal (Evangelical Lutheran Worship) it is set to unaccompanied chant. We have begun singing it at the end of choir rehearsals, and soon, when we know it well enough, we are inviting anyone in our congregation and beyond to join us on Wednesday nights.
But who would come just to sing 12-15 minutes of prayer on a weeknight? (I don’t know.) Can’t I pray at home? (Sure.) Do we have to sing prayer? (No.) Then why all the effort? (Several reasons…)
One reason: Singing night prayer, I am startled by the difference between it and our Sunday worship. In the latter we are challenged and charged to go and serve the Lord. We have things to do and places to go and a Lord to follow.
But night prayer is so different. Night prayer invites us to come, confess and know the sins of this day are forgiven, to rest and go to sleep, to commend our spirits to the Lord, to know we are loved, held and protected by God and angels. We are no longer going out into the world, but now nestling under the blankets of Christ. We leave one another sharing Christ’s peace and putting out the candles. Yes, it is almost like we are the children and our Parent is tucking us in for the night.
When I drive home after night prayer, I don’t feel the need to turn on the radio. The peace we prayed for as a tiny community is tangibly driving home with me and begs not to be disturbed. Others have noticed that same stillness in their cars. Sometimes now, even in the busiest parts of the week, I find myself peacefully singing. “Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit,” a good preparation not only for sleeping, but for living.
“Guide us waking, O Lord,
and guard us sleeping;
that awake we may watch with Christ
and asleep we may rest in peace.”
jnkuebler says
Thank you for this! You encourage me to return to singing Compline, even alone. At the monastery, Bro. Pierre plays the harp to accompany the opening hymn and night psalms. C. always referred to that service as “Goodnight, Monk”…
Elaine Dent says
Isn’t it good to know that some people sing this prayer every day, and, in so doing, pray for us?