Night Prayer
In a monastery the community gather for prayer throughout the day, traditionally this has been;
Lauds: Dawn or 5am.
Prime: Early Morning or 6am.
Terce: Mid-Morning or 9am.
Sext: Midday or 12 noon.
None: Mid-Afternoon or 3pm.
Vespers: Evening or 6 pm.
Compline: Night or 7pm.
Vigil: Middle of the Night or 2am.
This is not practical or sustainable however for those of us who live outside of the monastery walls. A practice that we have found helpful in our home however is intentionally stopping for night prayer.
At 9pm our sound system rings the bells from Ampleforth Abbey and we know it is time to stop and pray. We have used numerous different apps and prayers to help draw our day to a close but the one we have found the most helpful recently is the New Zealand Night Prayer.
The New Zealand Night Prayer is a beautiful, reflective prayer designed to help us transition from the busyness of the day into the peace of the night. Rooted in the Anglican tradition, it invites us to pause and surrender to God before rest, acknowledging His presence and giving thanks for His care throughout the day.
The prayer begins by inviting us into stillness, calling on God’s light to guide us and His peace to settle our hearts. This moment of pause is an opportunity to reflect on the day’s experiences, offering gratitude for blessings, acknowledging struggles, and seeking God’s forgiveness and peace.
The structure of the New Zealand Night Prayer is simple yet profound. It includes affirmations of faith, prayers for peace and protection, and expressions of trust in God’s providence. It also draws attention to the natural world, reminding us of God’s sustaining presence in creation and His faithfulness in every season of life.
This prayer is a gentle way to end the day, helping us release our burdens, rest in God’s love, and commit the night and the coming day into His care. Through it, we are reminded that no matter the challenges we face, God’s presence is constant, and His peace is always available to those who seek it.
In the “Ora et Labora’ journal we have included this prayer to help you prayerfully and quietly draw your day to a close.
