The Night Office
To Be Observed Before Retiring
Audio Version
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
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord;
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died and was buried.
He descended into hell.
On the third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
And sits on the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost,
The holy catholic Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting. Amen.†
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
What Our Forefathers Have Told Us We Will Not Hide from Their Children
Hear my teaching, O my people;* incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable,* I will declare the mysteries of ancient times.
That which we have heard and known, and what our forefathers have told us,* we
will not hide from their children.
We will recount to generations to come the praiseworthy deeds and the power of
the LORD,* and the wonderful works he has done.
He gave his decrees to Jacob and established a law for Israel,* which he
commanded them to teach their children;
That the generations to come might know, and the children yet unborn;* that they
in their turn might tell it to their children;
So that they might put their trust in God,* and not forget the deeds of God, but
keep his commandments;
And not be like their forefathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation,* a
generation whose heart was not steadfast, and whose spirit was not faithful to
God.
— Psalm 78:1-8
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.