The Night Office
To Be Observed Before Retiring
The Call to Prayer
May the Lord Almighty grant me and those I love a peaceful night and a perfect
end. Amen.†
The Request for Presence
Our help is in the Name of the Lord; the maker of heaven and earth.
The Greeting
Almighty God, my heavenly Father: I have sinned against you, through my own
fault, in thought, and word, and deed, in what I have done and what I have left
undone. For the sake of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me all my
offenses; and grant that I may serve you in newness of life, to the glory of your
Name. Amen.†
The Reading
Litany of Penitence
Most holy and merciful Father:
I confess to you and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth.
I have not loved you with my whole heart, and mind, and strength. I have not
loved my neighbors as myself. I have not forgiven others, as I have been forgiven.
Have mercy on me, Lord.
I have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us. I have not been true to
the mind of Christ. I have grieved your Holy Spirit.
Have mercy on me, Lord.
I confess to you, Lord, all my past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience
of my life,
I confess to you, Lord.
My self-indulgent appetites and ways, and my exploitation of other people,
I confess to you, Lord.
My anger at my own frustration, and my envy of those more fortunate than I,
I confess to you, Lord.
My intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and my dishonesty in daily
life and work,
I confess to you, Lord.
My negligence in prayer and worship, and my failure to commend the faith that is
in me,
I confess to you, Lord.
Accept my repentance, Lord, for the wrongs I have done: for my blindness to
human need and suffering, and my indifference to injustice and cruelty,
Accept my repentance, Lord.
For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward my neighbors, and for
my prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from me,
Accept my repentance, Lord.
For my waste and pollution of your creation, and my lack of concern for those
who come after us,
Accept my repentance, Lord.
Restore me, good Lord, and let your anger depart from me,
Favorably hear me for your mercy is great.
Accomplish in me and all of your church the work of your salvation,
That I may show forth your glory in the world.
By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord,
Bring me with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.†
The Gloria
Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was
in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end.
Alleluia. Amen.
The Psalm
Teach Us to Number Our Days
Our iniquities you have set before you,* and our secret sins in the light of your
countenance.
When you are angry, all our days are gone;* we bring our years to an end like a
sigh.
The span of our life is seventy years, perhaps in strength even eighty;* yet the sum
of them is but labor and sorrow, for they pass away quickly and we are gone.
Who regards the power of your wrath?* who rightly fears your indignation?
So teach us to number our days* that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
— Psalm 90:8-12
The Gloria
Glory be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. As it was
in the beginning, so it is now and so it shall ever be, world without end.
Alleluia. Amen.
The Small Verse
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit; for you have redeemed me, O
Lord, O God of truth. Keep me, O Lord, as the apple of your eye; hide me
under the shadow of your wings.†
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be your Name.
May your kingdom come, and 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.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;
for yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
The Petition
Watch, O Lord, with those who wake, or watch, or weep tonight, and give Your
angels and saints charge over those who sleep. Tend Your sick ones, O Lord
Christ. Rest Your weary ones. Bless Your dying ones. Soothe Your suffering
ones. Shield Your joyous ones, and all for Your love's sake. Amen.§
The Final Thanksgiving
Lord, you now have set your servant free to go in peace as you have promised; for
these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, whom you have prepared for all the
world to see: a Light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people
Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the
beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
