Letter from Wesley- 03/10/10

Dear Friends,

“Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.” So runs a beloved prayer, one that many of us learned as children, one that we would pray each night before retiring.

What are your “night prayers,” that is, what do you pray just before you go to bed each night?

“Compline,” which is one of the Hours of liturgical prayer, originated in the fourth century;it was basically the night prayers of monks in their dormitories. In his Rule, Benedict of Nursia said the rite should be simple, and that it should always include three brief “psalms”: Psalms 4, 91, and 134. One of the reasons that these three psalms were to be repeated each night was to make it possible to memorize them. Since the final “night prayers” in early monastic communities were usually said in darkness, memorizing the prayers in Psalms 4, 91, and 134 was very helpful.

“Compline” is prayer for God’s loving protection “both through the night and at the unknown time of one’s death” (Work of God: Benedictine Prayer; Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1997; page 13).

What are your “night prayers”? Psalm 4 is an individual prayer for help. Psalm 34, a companion of Psalm 25, is a thanksgiving for help; it provides wonderful instruction (“theology”) about praying for God’s help, as well as giving God thanks for help received. Psalm 134, which is the last of the “Songs of Ascent” (Psalms 120-134), is a very short prayer of praise to God.

Our Lord Jesus Christ prayed the psalms. And, we believe that when we pray the psalms, he prays them with us and through us.

“Now I lay me down to sleep” is a wonderful prayer. What are your “night prayers”?

“I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O LORD, make me lie down in safety” (Psalm 4:8) is also a wonderful prayer.

For the rest of Lent, why not try Psalms 4, 91, and 134 as your “night prayers”? Our Lord prayed the psalms.

I look forward to seeing you in church Sunday! Come and pray with us; come, let us praise of God!

Your pastor,

Wesley