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 forever.
Amen.
So take a few moments right now and look back through your day.
It's not necessarily a rewinding of every single event,
But look for moments where you have been God's servant and answered His call.
Or maybe how God has answered or addressed a prayer.
But then also ask yourself maybe how our responses to other people,
Maybe the demands of our lives,
Whether they've been in accord with how Jesus would have responded.
Or maybe it's catering to aspects of ourselves that we need to work on.
So rather than beat ourselves up,
We recognize that we don't always respond perfectly,
But we aspire to in every day,
In every step.
So it's important for us to examine our conscience every single day and ask for God's mercy every time we fall short.
We also ask God for the strength to do better tomorrow.
Lord Jesus,
You have shown us the way to the Father.
Lord have mercy.
Lord Jesus,
You have given us the consolation of the truth.
Christ have mercy.
Lord Jesus,
You're the good shepherd leading us into everlasting life.
Lord have mercy.
Let's read from Psalm 143.
Lord,
Listen to my prayer.
Turn your ear to my appeal.
You are faithful.
You are just.
Give answer.
Do not call your servant to judgment,
For no one is just in your sight.
The enemy pursues my soul.
He has crushed my life to the ground.
He has made me dwell in darkness like the dead,
Long forgotten.
Therefore,
My spirit fails.
My heart is numb within me.
I remember the days that are past.
I ponder all your works.
I muse on what your hand has wrought,
And to you I stretch out my hands like a parched land my soul thirsts for you.
Lord,
Make haste and answer,
For my spirit fails within me.
Do not hide your face,
Lest I become like those in the grave.
In the morning,
Let me know your love,
For I put my trust in you.
Make me know the way I should walk.
To you I lift up my soul.
Rescue me,
Lord,
From my enemies.
I have fled to you for refuge.
Teach me to do your will,
For you,
O Lord,
Are my God.
Let your good spirit guide me in ways that are level and smooth.
For your name's sake,
Lord,
Save my life.
In your justice,
Save my soul from distress.
Glory to the Father,
And to the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning,
Is now and will be forever.
Amen.
A reading from 1 Peter.
Stay sober and alert.
Your opponent,
The devil,
Is prowling like a roaring lion,
Looking for someone to devour.
Trust him,
Solid in your faith.
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.
Trust us,
Lord,
As we stay awake.
Watch over us as we sleep.
That awake,
We may keep watch with Christ,
And asleep,
Rest in peace.
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 to you 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 forever.
Amen.
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 peace.
Lord,
Fill this night with your radiance.
May we sleep in peace and rise with joy to welcome the light of a new day in your name.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
