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The order of Compline

Compline, the last office of the day, is nearly the same every night. Its psalm, reading, and collect come from the few the prayer book prints, not from the lectionary.

How one day’s office is put together

The office’s parts in order, each sized by its word count. Hover over or tab to a part to see its name.
Words in the office by how often they change
The same every day34%283 words
Follows the season or feast23%193 words
Follows the weekday, or rotates42%349 words
Appointed for the day by the lectionary0%0 words

Yours to choose in the app

The prayer book leaves these to the officiant, so the app’s settings let you set each one your way. This page shows the office under the app’s defaults.

Confession of Sin
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The order, part by part

  1. The Lord Almighty grant us a peaceful nightp. 127

    The same every day

    The opening blessing and “Our help is in the Name of the Lord.”

  2. Confession of Sinpp. 127–128

    The same every day

    A short confession and prayer for forgiveness.

    The officiant may go straight on to “O God, make speed to save us.”

  3. O God, make speed to save usp. 128

    Follows the season or feast

    October 16, 2026: With “Alleluia,” as in every season but Lent.

    The versicle and Gloria Patri, with “Alleluia” in every season but Lent.

  4. The Psalmpp. 128–131

    Follows the weekday, or rotates

    October 16, 2026: Psalm 4 One of the four psalms, taken in turn.

    One or more of Psalms 4, 31:1-5, 91, and 134, or other suitable psalms. The app takes them in turn.

    The Psalm

    4 texts to choose from, pp. 128–131

  5. The Readingpp. 131–132

    Follows the weekday, or rotates

    October 16, 2026: Hebrews 13:20–21 One of the four readings, taken in turn.

    One of four short readings, or another suitable passage. The app takes them in turn.

    The Reading

    4 texts to choose from, pp. 131–132

    • Jeremiah 14:9, 22

      Lord, you are in the midst of us, and we are called by your Name: Do not forsake us, O Lord our God.

    • Matthew 11:28–30

      Come to me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

    • Hebrews 13:20–21

      May the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in you that which is pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever.

    • 1 Peter 5:8–9a

      Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith.

  6. Into your hands, O Lordpp. 132–133

    The same every day

    The responsory, “Lord, have mercy,” the Lord’s Prayer, and the responses. A hymn may be sung.

  7. The Collectpp. 133–134

    Follows the weekday, or rotates

    October 16, 2026: Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares… One of the collects, taken in turn.

    One of the collects that follow. The app takes them in turn, and uses the collect for Saturdays on Saturday nights.

    The Collect

    5 texts to choose from, pp. 133–134

    • Be our light in the darkness, O Lord, and in your great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of your only Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

    • Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    • Look down, O Lord, from your heavenly throne, and illumine this night with your celestial brightness; that by night as by day your people may glorify your holy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    • Visit this place, O Lord, and drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let your holy angels dwell with us to preserve us in peace; and let your blessing be upon us always; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

    • We give you thanks, O God, for revealing your Son Jesus Christ to us by the light of his resurrection: Grant that as we sing your glory at the close of this day, our joy may abound in the morning as we celebrate the Paschal mystery; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

  8. An additional prayerp. 134

    Follows the weekday, or rotates

    October 16, 2026: Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or… One of the two, taken in turn.

    One of two prayers may be added. The app takes them in turn.

    It may be left out.

    An additional prayer

    2 texts to choose from, p. 134

    • Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.

    • O God, your unfailing providence sustains the world we live in and the life we live: Watch over those, both night and day, who work while others sleep, and grant that we may never forget that our common life depends upon each other's toil; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

  9. Intercessionsp. 134

    The same every day

    Silence may be kept, and free intercessions and thanksgivings offered.

  10. The Song of Simeonpp. 134–135

    Follows the season or feast

    October 16, 2026: Without Alleluias, which the antiphon takes only in Easter Season.

    The Nunc dimittis with its antiphon, “Guide us waking, O Lord,” which takes Alleluias in Easter Season.

  11. Dismissalp. 135

    The same every day

    “Let us bless the Lord,” and the blessing.

The other offices

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