Introduction to Daily Prayer

Morning and Evening Prayer From earliest times, Christians gathered at regular hours during each day and night to respond to God's word with praise on behalf of creation and with intercession for the salvation of the world. By the fourth century, if not earlier, morning and evening had emerged as the pre-eminent hours for the offering of this sacrifice of praise.

The services of Morning and Evening Prayer help Christians of our own day take part in this privelige and duty which belongs to all God's people. They may be celebrated in a very simple form, or enriched with a variety of optional chants and prayers.

Two forms of service for Morning and Evening Prayer are offered here:

• The traditional service from The Book of Common Prayer (1662)
• A modern service from Common Worship: Daily Prayer

A more detailed introduction to Morning and Evening Prayer is available.

Night Prayer (Compline) The ancient office of Compline derives its name from a Latin word meaning 'completion' (completorium). It is above all a service of quietness before the rest at the end of the day.

The Common Worship service of Night Prayer (Compline) is offered here in contemporary language and in traditional language (using the texts from the 1928 Prayer Book).