Ministry to the Imprisoned

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> A Night Prayer Service

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A Night Prayer Service

[Leader begins, response in unison given in bold.]

The angels of God guard us through the night,
and quiet the powers of darkness.

The spirit of God be our guide
To lead us to peace and to glory.

My brothers, our help is in the name of God eternal,
who is making the heavens and the earth.

Dear God, we thank you for all that is good, for our creation and our humanity, for the stewardship you have given us of this planet earth, for the gifts of life and for one another, for your love which is unbounded and eternal. O Thou, most holy and beloved, my Companion, my Guide upon the way, my bright evening star.

We repent the wrongs we have done:

[Prayers may be offered at this time]

We have wounded your love.
O, God heal us.

We stumble in the darkness.
Light of the world transfigure us.

Eternal Spirit, living God, in whom we live and move and have our being, all that we are, have been, and shall be is known to you, to the very secret of our hearts and all that rises to trouble us. Living flame, burn into us, cleansing wind, blow through us, fountain of water, well up within us, that we may love and praise in deed and in truth.

Eternal Spirit, flow through our being and open our lips,
that our mouths may proclaim your praise.

Let us worship the God of love.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to . . . .

Glory to you, Lord

[Let us listen to the Gospel reading appointed for today.
Discussion to follow!]

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us pray for others and ourselves out loud or in our hearts.

Into your hands, O God, I commend my spirit,
For you have redeemed me, O God of truth and love.

Keep me O God, as the apple of your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of your wings.

Let us pray the prayer our Lord Jesus taught his disciples:

Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus, Lamb of God, have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins, have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the world, give us your peace.

Be present, Spirit of God, within us, your dwelling place and home, that our house may be one where all darkness is penetrated by your light, all troubles calmed by your peace, all evil redeemed by your love, all pain transformed in your suffering, and all dying glorified in your risen life. Amen.

Lord, it is night.
The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.
It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done; what has not been done has not been done; let it be.
The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives rest in you.
The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us, all dear to us, and all who have no peace.
The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day, new joys, and new possibilities.
In your name we pray.
Amen.

Preserve us, O God, while waking, and guard us while sleeping that awake we may watch with Christ, and asleep may rest in your peace.

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.