If you were taught to pray as a child, you probably learned some form of bedtime prayer. There are many ways to turn our hearts to the Lord at the end of the day–– from the famous Christian rhyme that begins “Now I lay me down to sleep…” to recalling what we are most grateful for. 

The Catholic Church has prayers that can be said at various points in the day: this is called the Liturgy of the Hours. Night Prayer, or Compline, from the Liturgy of the Hours, is an excellent way to give the last moments of your day to God, granting you his peace for a good night’s sleep. 

What is Compline?

The title “Compline” comes from the Latin word “completorium,” which means to complete or fill up. The prayers of Compline provide spiritual completion to the day. In a certain sense, they also refill our souls with the peace and graces of God so that we can rise and serve him again the following day. 

Compline is one of the minor hours of the Liturgy of the Hours, but it is prayed often by Catholics, just like the major hours of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. 

Why Should Catholics Pray Night Prayer (Compline)?

Night Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours is short, methodical, and simple to pray. It is to be prayed just before going to bed, and it offers a chance for our souls to reflect and draw close to God before resting.

These prayers at the end of the day, before we take the repose of sleep, remind us that someday at the end of our lives, we will close our eyes in death.

The Steps of Night Prayer

The Opening Prayers of Compline

Night Prayer begins with the Sign of the Cross and the words “God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me,” followed by a Glory Be. 

Examination of Conscience

The second part of Night Prayer is a brief and silent examination of conscience. Take a few moments to think back over the day and identify areas where you struggled to rightly love God and others. If Compline is being prayed in a group, especially if a priest is leading it, the Examination of Conscience time might conclude with a communal penitential act like the Confiteor or a “Lord Have Mercy” responsory from Mass.

If you want to learn more about making a Daily Examen of Conscience, Fr. Mark Mary offers a quick strategy for how to do so in this video!

Hymn

Next comes a hymn, probably one you would recognize from your parish hymnal. The hymn can be optional though, especially if you are praying Night Prayer by yourself, or you can simply read the words aloud if you do not know how the song goes.

Psalmody

A psalm is the centerpiece of Compline. It’s divided up into different stanzas, and if you’re praying Compline with others, it’s typical to alternate stanzas between the leader and the rest of the group, or between men and women in the group.

The psalm in Compline is a bit different from the psalm we pray at Mass. Rather than repeating a response line between each stanza of the psalm, there is an antiphon that is read aloud by the leader at the beginning of the psalm. 

After the psalm text, pray the Glory Be, and repeat the opening antiphon. If you are praying Night Prayer in a group, all join in with this second time praying the antiphon.

Reading

A short reading from Scripture, usually no longer than a verse or two, follows the psalm. 

Responsory

The responsory is a short call-and-response prayer based on Christ’s last words on the cross, which come from Psalm 31:5:

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.

Gospel Canticle

Night Prayer’s canticle, a liturgical song from Scripture, is the words spoken by Simeon the prophet when he encountered Jesus being presented in the temple at forty days old. It comes from the Gospel of Luke chapter 2 verse 29-32, and in Latin is called the Nunc Dimittis:

Lord, now you let your servant go in peace;
your word has been fulfilled:

my own eyes have seen the salvation
which you have prepared in the sight of every people:

a light to reveal you to 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.

Just like the psalmody earlier in Night Prayer, the Gospel canticle is bookended by an antiphon. This one is a particularly meaningful request for the Lord’s protection over us as we rest: 

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.

Concluding Prayer

There is a different concluding prayer for each day of the week in Compline. These prayers ask God to accept the work of the past day, strengthen us in his service, and grant us a restful sleep and joyful rising in the morning. 

Antiphon or Song in Honor of Mary

In our last moment of prayer at the end of the day, we turn to the Blessed Mother. Common options for the prayer to Mary that closes Night Prayer include the Hail Holy Queen/Salve Regina, Latin Ave Maria, or a Hail Mary, although there are a couple of other choices in Latin from among the Marian antiphons that the Church prays throughout the liturgical year.

For more information on the Liturgy of the Hours, Fr. Mike has a video explaining what it is and why it is his favorite prayer!