In Peace Will I Lie Down

I have always thought Compline to be one of the loveliest of the liturgical offices that we do in the monastic rounds. While I have most frequently used the Book of Common Prayer for this service, recently I have begun using the daily Complines of the Northumbria Community. There is one of these services for every night of the week. On a retreat that I took with the Residents of Armagh this past weekend, we used the Boisil, Patrick and Ita Complines. One can find these liturgies on the Community's website: http://www.northumbriacommunity.org/pray-the-daily-office/complines.

This office is such a fitting and special way to end each hurried day. It is brief, and said by all present. At the retreat, we used it to bring the day to a close after which we entered into the Great Silence. Once we said the final blessing, we sat in silence in the chapel, then one by one we left to retire or to read until sleepy enough to go to bed. The house was in total silence, and yet it seemed to resonate with the words and music of the Compline prayers. The altar was graced with numerous candles which provided our only light in our make-shift chapel. The names of those for whom we were offering intercessions were there on slips of paper in the middle of the altar surrounded by the lights and our prayers.

I would encourage each and every one of my readers to consider using a form of Compline during Lent. Doing so is a quick and easy discipline, but it has rich rewards in helping one to focus on the God of Light and Love. May we with all who offer their prayers at night join in saying,

In peace will I lie down, for it is You, O Lord,
You alone who makes me to rest secure.
Be it on Your own beloved arm,
O God of grace, that I in peace shall awake.
Be the peace of the Spirit
mine this night.
Be the peace of the Son
mine this night.
Be the peace of the Father
mine this night.
The peace of all peace
be mine this night
+ in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.