Nunc Dimittis
Luke 2:29-32
Simeon's evening prayer — "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace."
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Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace,
according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
which thou hast prepared
before the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles,
and the glory of thy people Israel.
Amen.
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About this prayer
When the old man Simeon held the infant Christ in the temple, he said these words and was ready to die. The church has prayed them every night at compline ever since — the last prayer of the day, a small rehearsal of dying well.
When to pray it
At the very end of the day, before sleep. At the bedside of someone whose long life is closing. When you have seen something good and want to say so.