Complin is the evening office of the church.
The greater services such as the Holy Eucharist, Vespers, and Benediction, are intended principally to pour out spiritual strength upon the world, whereas these minor offices may not unreasonably be regarded as designed especially for the benefit if those who take part in them.
Prime, Sext, and Complin are short services, which can be led by a layman if necessary and would therefore be eminently suited for a community office, for family prayers, or for use by a schoolmaster who wished to say morning, noon, or evening prayers with his pupils. They also, of course, lend themselves for use in church: Prime, when the Holy Eucharist cannot be celebrated, or as a preparation therefor; and complin as an addition to Vespers, or when Vespers and Benediction are unsuitable, as on the evening of Good Friday.
In order to avoid constant repitition, where Prime, Sext, and Complin are said daily, or where Prime is used in conjunction with the Holy Eucharist, other short lections seclected from any part of the Liturgy may at discretion of the priest, or ministrant, be read as lessons instead of the epistle and gospel.
P: In the name of the Father ✠ and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. R. Amen
P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
C: Who hath made heaven and earth.
P: At morn and at even will we praise Him.
C: For our hearts rest ever in His love.
O Lord, Thou hast created man to an image of Thine own eternity; yet often we forget the glory of our heritage and wander from the path which leads to righteousness. But Thou, O Lord, hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are ever restless till they find their rest in Thee. Look with the eyes of Thy love upon our manifold imperfections and pardon all our shortcomings, that we may be filled with the brightness of the everlasting light and become the unspotted mirror of Thy power and the image of Thy goodness; throught Christ our Lord. Amen.
M: May the Lord bless us and ✠ absolve us from all our sins; and may His peace rest upon us this day and evermore.
C: Thanks be to God.
Thou art my lam, O Lord.
The Lord will lighten my darkness.
1. Behold, the night falleth: and darkness covereth the earth.
2. But Thy candle, O Lord, shineth upon my head: and by Thy light I walk through the darkness.
3. Thou hast brought us out of darkness, and with Thee, but the night is as clear as the day: and broken our bonds in sunder.
4. Yea, the darkness is no darkness with Thee, but the night is as clear as the day: the darkness and the light to Thee are both alike.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
Thou art my lam, O Lord.
The Lord will lighten my darkness.
He hath called us out of darkness.
Into His marvellous light.
1. Who is there that walketh in darkness: and hath no light?
2. Let him trust in the Lord: and stay upon his God
3. Unto the godly there ariseth up light in the darkness: he is merciful, loving and righteous.
4. I am the Light of the world, saith the Lord: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
He hath called us out of darkness.
Into His marvellous light.
We believe that God is Love and Power and Truth and Light; that perfect justice rules the world; that all His sons shall one day reach His feet, however far they stray. We hold the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of man; we know that we do serve Him best when best we serve our brother man. So shall His blessing rest on us ✠ and peace for evermore. Amen.
P: Let us pray.
P: O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels and all just works do proceed; give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; both that our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments and that by thee we being defended from the fear of all evil may pass this night in rest and quietness; through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
P: Almighty God, the protector of all who trust in thee, send forththy power to keep us this night both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in ourselves; that so far as is expedient for us we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Christ our Lord. R. Amen.
P: Teach us, O Lord, to see thy life in all the peoples of thine earth and so guide the nations into the understanding of thy laws that peace and goodwill may reign upon earth; through Christ or Lord. R. Amen.
Glory to Thee, my God, this night
For all the Belssings of the light;
Keep me, O keep me, King of Kings,
Beneath Thine own almighty wings.
Assoil me, lord, from every sin,
And fill my heart with love within,
That with the world, myself and Thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.
If in the night I sleepless lie
My mind with heavenly thoughts supply;
Let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
Nor powers of darkness me molest.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly Host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
I will lay me down in peace and take my rest.
For Thou, Lord, only that makest me dwell in safety.
1. Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servent depart in peace: according to Thy word.
2. For mine eyes have seen: Thy salvation,
3. Which Thou hast prepared: before the face of all people;
4. To be a light to lighten the Gentiles: and to be the glory of Thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
I will lay me down in peace and take my rest.
For Thou, Lord, only that makest me dwell in safety.
P: Let us Pray.
P: Be with us in our homes, O Lord, and ley Thy Holy Angels dwell therein, to preserve us in peace; and let Thy blessing rest ever upon us, O Thou Lord of love, who livest for ever and ever. R. Amen.
P: Look, O Lord, upon this Thy family.
C: Into Thy Hands I commend my Spirit.
P: Hide us under the shadow of Thy wings.
C: Into Thy Hands I commend my Spirit.
P: Glory be to the Father and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost.
C: Into Thy Hands I commend my Spirit.
M: ✠ The grace of out Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. R. Amen.
C: Thanks be to God.
