Night Prayer
Thursday℣.God, come to my assistance.
℟.Lord, make haste to help me.
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. Alleluia.
An examination of conscience may be made. In a communal celebration this may be followed by a penitential act.
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
A suitable hymn may be sung.
Ant. In you, my God, my body will rest in hope.
Psalm 16
Hope for a Wonderful Inheritance
A psalm*16: title Hebrew miktam. This may be a literary or musical term. of David.
1Keep me safe, O God,
for I have come to you for refuge.
2I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from you.”
3The godly people in the land
are my true heroes!
I take pleasure in them!
4Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
or even speak the names of their gods.
5Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
6The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance!
7I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
9No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.*16:9 Greek version reads and my tongue shouts his praises. Compare Acts 2:26.
My body rests in safety.
10For you will not leave my soul among the dead*16:10a Hebrew in Sheol.
or allow your holy one*16:10b Or your Holy One. to rot in the grave.
11You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever.*16:11 Greek version reads You have shown me the way of life, / and you will fill me with the joy of your presence. Compare Acts 2:28.
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.
Ant. In you, my God, my body will rest in hope.
Paul’s Final Greetings
23Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.
℣.Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
℟.Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
℣.You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
℟.I commend my spirit.
℣.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
℟.Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.
29“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised.
30I have seen your salvation,
31which you have prepared for all people.
32He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is 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.
Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace.
Lord God, send peaceful sleep to refresh our tired bodies. May your help always renew us and keep us strong in your service. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
May the all-powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. Amen.
Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To you do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious advocate, your eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.