The prayer of Compline, also known as Night Prayer, is the final portion of the Liturgy of the Hours, the official daily prayer of the Church. It is traditionally prayed before going to bed and serves as a spiritual closing to the day, fostering peace, reflection, and trust in God's care through the night. This ancient practice helps individuals conclude their day with spiritual contemplation and surrender to divine protection.
Understanding Compline
Compline (from the Latin completorium, meaning "completion") is the last of the canonical hours in the Christian monastic and liturgical tradition. It marks the end of the day, offering a moment for Christians to reflect on their day, seek forgiveness, and commend themselves and the world to God's care during the night hours.
For more details on the Liturgy of the Hours, you can refer to information provided by the Vatican.
Key Elements of Compline
While the specific prayers may vary slightly across different traditions, the core elements of Compline consistently focus on themes of rest, peace, protection from evil, and trust in God. Typical elements include:
- Examination of Conscience: A brief, quiet moment to reflect on the day's actions and seek God's mercy.
- Hymn: A song, often related to themes of night, rest, or divine protection.
- Psalmody: One or more psalms, frequently meditating on trust in God and seeking refuge in Him.
- Short Reading: A brief passage from Scripture, offering a final word of encouragement or wisdom before sleep.
- Responsory: A short, repeated prayer responding to the reading.
- Nunc Dimittis (Canticle of Simeon): A profound prayer from the Gospel of Luke (2:29-32), expressing peaceful readiness for death or sleep, trusting in God's salvation.
- Concluding Prayer: A specific prayer asking for God's protection through the night.
- Blessing: A final blessing before rest.
- Marian Antiphon: Often, a hymn or prayer addressed to the Blessed Virgin Mary, particularly in the Roman Rite, seeking her intercession.
The Heart of Compline: A Night Prayer for Peace
A central part of Compline is a prayer that invokes divine presence and seeks solace for the evening, reinforcing themes of abiding with Christ and finding peace in Him. One such profound prayer often recited is:
"Abide with me, Lord Jesus, for the night is at hand and the day is now past. As the night watch looks for the morning, so do I look for you, O Christ. The Lord bless me and watch over me; the Lord make his face shine upon me and be gracious to me; the Lord look kindly on me and give me peace. Amen."
This prayer beautifully encapsulates the essence of Compline, expressing:
- Desire for Divine Presence: "Abide with me, Lord Jesus," a longing for Christ's companionship as the day ends.
- Hope and Expectation: Comparing oneself to a "night watch" eagerly awaiting the morning, symbolizing a deep spiritual longing for Christ's presence and eventual return.
- Invocation for Blessing: A plea for God's blessing, watchfulness, grace, kindness, and ultimate peace to carry one through the night and into the new day.
This prayer serves as a powerful spiritual anchor, allowing individuals to release the day's burdens and rest in God's care.
Why Pray Compline?
Praying Compline offers several spiritual benefits and practical insights for daily life:
- Spiritual Closure: It provides a structured way to end the day with God, fostering a habit of prayer and reflection.
- Peace and Serenity: The prayers are often calming and reassuring, helping to alleviate anxieties before sleep.
- Trust in God: It encourages surrendering worries and trusting in God's protection throughout the night.
- Mindfulness: The examination of conscience promotes self-awareness and repentance.
- Connection to Tradition: It connects individuals to centuries of Christian prayer, joining a global community in praising God at the close of day.
An in-depth historical and theological explanation of Compline can be found via the Catholic Encyclopedia.
Typical Structure of Compline
The following table outlines the common elements found in the prayer of Compline, illustrating its comprehensive nature as a night prayer:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Opening Versicle | An initial invocation, typically "God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me." |
| Examination of Conscience | A brief, silent reflection on the day's actions, often followed by an act of contrition. |
| Hymn | A lyrical prayer suitable for evening, focusing on themes of light, darkness, and divine protection. |
| Psalmody | One or more psalms (e.g., Psalm 4, 91, 134), expressing trust in God and seeking refuge. |
| Short Reading | A concise scripture passage, offering spiritual guidance or comfort before sleep. |
| Responsory | A short, often repetitive verse and response, reinforcing a theme from the reading or psalms. |
| Nunc Dimittis | The Canticle of Simeon ("Lord, now let your servant depart in peace"), symbolizing peaceful readiness for rest. |
| Concluding Prayer | A prayer that typically asks for peaceful rest, protection from evil, and a blessed waking. |
| Blessing | A final blessing invoking God's grace for the night. |
| Marian Antiphon | A hymn or prayer in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary, varying by liturgical season (e.g., Salve Regina). |
