 |
Morning Prayers
Glory to God! |
On rising, make the Sign of the Cross + and say:
+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
+ Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and
fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of Life: come and abide in us,
and cleanse us of every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
+ Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. (thrice)
+ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, wash away our sins, O
Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our
infirmities, for Thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3 times.)
+ Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in the Heavens, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom
come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day
our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
+ Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Troparia to the Holy Trinity
Having risen from sleep, we fall down before Thee, O Good One, and sing
the angelic hymn to Thee, O Mighty One: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O
God; through the prayers of the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
+ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
From bed and sleep hast Thou raised me up; O Lord, enlighten my mind
and heart, and open my lips that I may hymn Thee, O Holy Trinity: Holy,
Holy, Holy art Thou O God; through the prayers of the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
Both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Suddenly the Judge shall come, and the deeds of each shall be revealed;
but with fear do we cry aloud at midnight: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O
God; through the prayers of the Theotokos, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Ghospodi pomilui. Ghospodi pomilui. Ghospodi pomilui.
Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison. Kyrie eleison.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Prayer of St. Basil the Great to the Most Holy Trinity
As I rise from sleep, I thank Thee, O Holy Trinity, for through Thy
great goodness and patience Thou wast not angry with me, an idler and
sinner, nor hast Thou destroyed me with mine iniquities, but hast shown
Thy usual love for mankind; and when I was prostrate in despair, Thou
hast raised me up to keep the morning watch and glorify Thy power. And
now enlighten my mind's eye, and open my mouth that I many meditate on
Thy words, and understand Thy commandments, and do Thy will, and hymn
Thee, in heartfelt confession, and sing praises to Thine all-holy name:
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and
ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
+ O come let us worship God our King.
+ O come let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and our God.
+ O come let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and according to
the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgression. Wash me
thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I realize
my iniquity, and my sin is before me continually. Against Thee only
have I sinned and done evil in Thy sight, that Thou mayest be
justified in Thy words and win when Thou art judged. For, behold, I was
conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother desire me. For, lo,
Thou lovest truth; the unknown and secret things of Thy wisdom Thou
hast made known to me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall
be cleansed; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall become whiter than
snow. Thou shalt make me hear joy and gladness; the bones that have been
humbled will rejoice. Turn Thy face from my sins, and blot out all my
iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit
within me. Cast me not away from Thy face, and take not Thy Holy
Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and confirm me
with a princely spirit. I shall teach Thy ways to the lawless and the
godless will return to Thee. Deliver me from blood, O God - O God of my
salvation - and my tongue shall extol Thy justice. O Lord, Thou wilt
open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst
desired sacrifice, I would have given it; but burnt offerings do not
please Thee. The sacrifice for God is a contrite spirit; a contrite and
humble heart God will not despise. Gladden Sion, O Lord, with Thy good
will; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then Thou wilt be
pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, the oblation and burnt
offerings; then they will offer calves on Thine altar.
The Creed
(The Symbol of Faith)
+ I believe in one God, Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and
earth, and of all things visible and invisible: And in one Lord Jesus
Christ, the only-begotten Son of God; begotten of the Father before all
ages; Light from Light, True God from True God, begotten, not made, of
One Essence with the Father, through Whom all things were made: Who for
us men, and for our salvation, came down from the Heavens, and was incarnate
by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became Man: And was
crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried: And
He rose on the third day according to the Scriptures: And ascended into
Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father: And He is coming
again with glory to judge the living and the dead; Of His Kingdom there will
be no end: And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of the Life,
Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son is
equally worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets: And in
One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the
remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the Dead; And the
life of the Age to come. Amen.
First Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
O God, cleanse me, a sinner, for I have never done anything good in
Thy sight; deliver me from the evil one, and may Thy will be in me,
that I may open my unworthy mouth without condemnation, and praise Thy
holy Name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto
the ages of ages. Amen.
Second Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
Having risen from sleep, I offer Thee, O Saviour, the midnight song,
and I fall down and cry unto Thee: grant me not to fall asleep in the
death of sin, but have compassion on me, O Thou Who wast voluntarily
crucified; and hasten to raise me who am prostrate in idleness, and
save me in prayer and intercession; and after the night's sleep, bless
me with a sinless day O Christ, our God, and save me.
Third Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
Having risen from sleep I hasten to Thee, O Lord, Lover of men, and by
Thy loving-kindness I strive to do Thy work, and I pray to Thee: help
me at all times, in everything, and deliver me from every evil thing of
the world and every attack of the devil, and lead me into Thine eternal
Kingdom. For Thou art my Creator, the Giver and Provider of everything
good, and all my hope is in Thee, and to Thee I send up glory, both now
and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Fourth Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
O Lord, Who in Thine abundant goodness and Thy great compassion hast
granted me, Thy servant, to pass the time of this night without the
temptation of any opposing evil, Lord and Creator of all, by Thy true
light and with an enlightened heart grant me to do Thy will, both now
and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Fifth Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
Almighty Lord God, Who dost receive from Thy Heavenly Powers the
thrice-holy hymn, receive also from me, Thy unworthy servant, this song
of the night, and grant me every year of my life and at every hour to
send up glory to Thee, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, both now and ever,
and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
First Prayer of St. Basil the Great
Almighty Lord, God of the Powers and of all flesh, Who livest in the
highest and carest for the humble, Who searchest our hearts and
affections, and clearly foreknowest the secrets of men; eternal and
everliving Light, in Whom is no change nor shadow of variation; O
Immortal King, receive our prayers which at the present time we offer
to Thee from unclean lips, trusting in the multitude of Thy mercies.
Forgive all sins committed by us in thought, word or deed, consciously
or unconsciously, and cleanse us from all defilement of flesh and
spirit. Grant us to pass the night of the whole present life with
wakeful heart and sober thought, ever expecting the coming of the
radiant day of the appearing of Thy only-begotten Son, our Lord and God
and Saviour, Jesus Christ, when the Judge of all will come with glory
to render to each according to their deeds. May we not be found fallen
and idle, but awake and alert for action, ready to accompany Him into
the joy and divine palace of His glory, where there is the ceaseless
sound of those keeping festival and the unspeakable delight of those
who behold the ineffable beauty of Thy Face. For Thou art the true
Light that enlightens and sanctifies all, and all creation sings to
Thee throughout the ages. Amen.
Second Prayer of St. Basil ihe Great
+ We bless Thee, O most high God and Lord of mercy, Who art ever
doing numberless great and inscrutable things with us, glorious and
wonderful; Who grantest to us sleep for rest from our infirmities, and
repose from the burdens of our much toiling flesh.We thank Thee that
Thou hast not destroyed us with our sins, but hast loved us as ever,
and though we are sunk in despair, Thou hast raised us up to glorify
Thy power. Therefore we implore Thy incomparable goodness, enlighten
the eyes of our understanding and raise up our mind from the heavy
sleep of indolence; open our mouth and fill it with Thy praise, that we
may be able undistracted to sing and confess Thee, Who art God
glorified in all and by all, the eternal Father, with Thy only-begotten
Son, and Thy all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, both now and
ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Midnight Song to the Most Holy Mother of God
I sing thy grace, O Sovereign Lady, and pray to thee to grace my mind.
Teach me to step right in the way of Christ's commandments. Strengthen
me to keep awake in song and dispel the dream of despondency. Release
me, bound with bonds of sin, O bride of God, by thy prayers. Guard me
by night and also by day, and drive away my foes who defeat me. O
Bearer of God, the Giver of Life, enliven me who am deadened by
passions. O bearer of the unfailing Light, enlighten my blinded soul. O
Marvelous Palace of the Master, make me a house of the Divine Spirit.
O Mother of the Healer, heal the perennial passions of my soul. Guide
me to the path of repentance, for I am tossed in the storm of life.
Deliver me from eternal fire, from wicked war and from hell. Expose me
guilty as I am of many sins. Renew me, grown old from senseless sins, O
most Immaculate One. Present me untouched by all torments, and pray for
me to the Lord of all. Grant me to receive the joys of Heaven with all
the Saints. O most holy Virgin, hear the voice of thy unprofitable
servant. Grant me torrents of tears, O most Pure One, to cleanse my
soul from impurity. I offer the groans of my heart to Thee unceasingly.
Strive for me, O Sovereign Lady. Accept my service of supplication and
offer it to compassionate God. O thou who art above the Angels, raise
me above this world's confusion. O Light-bearing heavenly Tabernacle,
direct the grace of the Spirit in me. I raise my hands and lips in thy
praise, defiled as they are by impurity, O All-Immaculate One. Deliver
me from soul-corrupting evils, and fervently intercede to Christ to
Whom is due honour with adoration, both now and ever, and unto the ages
of ages. Amen.
Prayer to our Lord Jesus Christ
My most merciful and all-merciful God, Lord Jesus Christ, through Thy
great love Thou didst come down and take flesh to save all. And again,
O Saviour, save me by Thy grace, I pray Thee, for if Thou shouldst save
me for my works, this would not be grace or a gift, but rather a duty.
Indeed, in Thy infinite compassion and unspeakable mercy, Thou O my
Christ hast said: Whoever believes in Me shall live and never see
death. If faith in Thee saves the desperate, save me, for Thou art my
God and Creator. Impute my faith instead of deeds, O my God, for Thou
wilt find no deeds which could justify me, but may my faith suffice for
all my deeds. May it answer for and acquit me, and may it make me a
partaker of Thy eternal glory. And may Satan not seize me, O Word, and
boast that he has torn me from Thy hand and fold. O Christ, my Saviour,
whether I will or not, save me. Make haste, quick, quick, for I perish.
Thou art my God from my mother's womb. Grant me, O Lord, to love Thee
now as once I loved sin, and also to work for Thee without idleness, as
I worked before for deceptive Satan. But supremely shall I work for
Thee, my Lord and God, Jesus Christ, all the days of my life, both now
and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer to the Holy Guardian Angel
O Holy Angel, interceding for my wretched soul and my passionate life,
forsake me not, a sinner, nor shrink from me for my intemperance. Give
no place for the subtle demon to master me through the violence of my
mortal body. Strengthen my poor and feeble hand, and guide me in the
way of salvation. O holy Angel of God, guardian and protector of my
wretched body and soul, forgive me for all the insults I have given
thee every day of my life, and for whatever sins I may have committed
during the past night. Protect me during the present day, and guard me
from every temptation of the enemy, that I may not anger God by any
sin. And pray to the Lord for me, that He may strengthen me in His
fear, and make me, His slave, worthy of His goodness. Amen.
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos
O my most Holy Lady Theotokos, through thy holy and all-powerful
prayers, banish from me, thy lowly and wretched servant, despondency,
forgetfulness, folly, carelessness, and all filthy, evil, and
blasphemous thought from my wretched heart and my darkened mind. And
quench the flame of my passions, for I am poor and wretched, and
deliver me from many and cruel memories and deeds, and free me from all
their evil effects. For blessed art thou by all generations, and
glorified is thy most honourable name unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers to the Mother of God
Virgin Mother of God, rejoice, Mary full of grace; the Lord is with
thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy
womb, for thou hast borne the Saviour of our souls.
My most gracious queen, my hope, O Theotokos, who receivest the
orphaned and art the intercessor for the stranger; The joy of those in
sorrow; protectress of the wronged; see my distress, see my affliction:
help me, for I am helpless; feed me for I am a stranger and pilgrim.
You know my offense, forgive and resolve it as you will. For I know no
other help but thee no other intercessor; no gracious comforter; only
thee, O Theotokos, to guide and protect me for ages of ages. Amen.
Under thy tender compassion we run, O Mother of God, reject not our
prayer in our trouble, but deliver us from harm, only pure, only
blessed one.
Most glorious Ever-Virgin, Mother of Christ our God, present our prayer
to thy Son and our God and pray that through thee He may save our
souls.
Prayer for Intercession to the Angelic Hosts
O Heavenly Hosts of holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us sinners.
Prayer for Intercession to all Saints
O glorious Apostles, Prophets and Martyrs, and all Saints, pray for us sinners.
Prayerful Invocation to the Saint whose Name we bear
Pray for me Saint.... (name), for with fervour I come to thee, speedy helper and
intercessor for my soul.
The Troparion to the Cross
+ O Lord, save Thy people and bless Thine inheritance. Grant
victory over all enemies to Orthodox Christians and protect Thy people
with Thy Cross.
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever blessed and most
pure and the mother of our God. More honorable than the cherubim and
more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim; thou who without
defilement gavest birth to God the Word; thee, very Theotkos, we
magnify thee.
+ Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,
both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (3 times)
God be gracious to us and bless us, and shine Thy countenance upon us and have mercy
upon us.
This is the day which the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
INTERCESSION: Commemoration of the Living and Departed
Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Thy mercies and bounties which
are from all eternity, and through which Thou didst become man and
didst will to suffer crucifixion and death for the salvation of those
who rightly believe in Thee, and having risen from the dead didst
ascend into heaven, and sittest at the right hand of God the Father and
regardest the humble entreaties of those who call upon Thee with all
their heart: incline Thy ear, and hear the humble prayer of me, Thy
worthless servant, as the fragrance of spiritual incense, which I offer
to Thee for all people. And first remember Thy Holy Catholic and
Apostolic Church, which Thou hast provided through Thy Precious Blood.
Confirm, strengthen, extend, and increase her, and keep her in peace,
and for ever proof against the power of hell. Calm the dissensions of
the Churches, and foil the plans of the powers of darkness, dispel the
prejudice of the nations, and quickly ruin and root out the risings of
heresy, and frustrate them by the power of the Holy Spirit. [Bow.]
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our president and all in authority
throughout the world, commanders-in-chief of armies and navies and
airfleets, governors of provinces and cities, and all the Christ-loving
navies, armies and police; protect their power with peace, and subdue
under their feet every enemy and foe, and speak peace and blessing in
their hearts for Thy Holy Church, and for all Thy people, and grant
that in their calm we too may lead a quiet and peaceful life in true
belief, in all piety and honesty. [Bow.]
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on Orthodox Patriarchs, Metropolitans,
Archbishops and Bishops, the Priests and Deacons, and all who serve in
the Church, and whom Thou hast ordained to feed Thy spiritual flock;
and by their prayers, have mercy on me, a sinner. [Bow.]
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our father (parish priest or abbot of
monastery), with all his brethren in Christ, and by their prayers have
mercy on me, wretch that I am. [Bow.]
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my Spiritual Father (name) and by his
prayers forgive me my sins. [Bow.]
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on all workers in this holy community, our
brethren and all manual workers, and lay-workers, and farm labourers of
this [Monastery / Parish], and all Christians. [Bow.]
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my parents (names), my brothers and
sisters and all my relatives, and the neighbours of my family, and
friends - and grant them Thy worldly and spiritual gifts. [Bow.]
Save, O Lord, and have mercy according to the multitude of Thy
bounties, on all priests, monks and nuns, and on all living in
virginity, devotion and fasting, in monasteries, in deserts, in caves,
on mountains, on pillars, in hermitages, in the clefts of rocks, and
right faith in every place of Thy dominion, and devoutly serving Thee,
and praying to Thee. Lighten their burden, console them in their
afflictions, and grant them strength, power and perseverance in their
struggle, and by their prayers grant me remission of sins. [Bow.]
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the old and the young, the poor and
destitute, the orphans and widows, the leper colonies, epileptics and
spastics, and those in sickness and sorrow, misfortune and tribulation,
captives and exiles, in mines and prisons and reformatories, and
especially on those of Thy servants suffering persecution for Thy sake
and for the Orthodox Faith from godless peoples, apostates and
heretics. Visit, strengthen, comfort, and heal them, and by Thy power
quickly grant them relief, freedom and deliverance. [Bow.]
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our benefactors, who have mercy on us
and feed us, and relieve us of anxiety by giving us alms, and entrust
us, unworthy as we are, to pray for them; and give them Thy grace, and
grant them all their requests which conduce to salvation, and the
attainment of eternal joy. [Bow.]
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the Fathers and Sisters, and our
[Brotherhood / Parish], and on all Orthodox Christians who are messengers and
missionaries in Thy service, and are travelling. [Bow.]
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on those whom I have offended or
scandalized by my madness or inadvertence, and whom I have turned from
the way of salvation, and whom I have led into evil and harmful deeds.
By Thy divine providence restore them again to the way of salvation.
Bow.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on those who hate and offend me, and do me
harm, and let them not perish through me, a sinner. [Bow.]
Illumine with the light of grace all apostates from the Orthodox Faith,
and those blinded by pernicious heresies, and draw them to Thyself, and
unite them to Thy Holy, Apostolic, Catholic Church. [Bow.]
For Those Departed in Sleep
Remember, O Lord, + those who have departed from this life, Orthodox
kings and queens, princes and princesses, Orthodox Patriarchs, Metropolitans,
Archbishops and Bishops, Priests and Deacons and those who have served Thee in the
Monastic State, and the laity of the Church, and the blessed founders
of all Churches and Monastaries, and grant them rest with the Saints in
Thy eternal dwellings. [Bow.]
Prayer of Rememberance for Parents Departed in Sleep
Remember, O Lord, +
the souls of Thy servants who have departed in sleep, my parents
(names), and all my relatives according to the flesh; forgive them
every transgression, voluntary and involuntary; grant them the Kingdom
and a part in Thy eternal joys, and the delight of Thy blessed and
everlasting life. [Bow.]
Prayer for Monastery Brotherhood
Remember, O Lord, also all Fathers and Sisters and members of our
[Brotherhood / Parish] who have departed in sleep with the hope of resurrection
and eternal life, and all Orthodox Christians who lie here and in all
the world, and with Thy Saints give them repose where the light of Thy
Face shines and have mercy on us, for Thou art good and the Lover of
men. Amen. [Bow.]
Optional Other Prayers (Optional)
Prayer in Time of Trouble
O God, our help and assistance, Who are just and merciful, and Who
hears the supplications of Thy people; look down upon me, a miserable
sinner, have mercy upon me, and deliver me from this trouble that
besets me, for which, I know, I am deservedly suffering. I acknowledge
and believe, O Lord, that all trials of this life are given by Thee for
our chastisement, when we drift away from Thee, and disobey Thy
commandments; deal not with me after my sins, but according to Thy
bountiful mercies, for I am the work of Thy hands, and Thou knowest my
weakness. Grant me, I beseech Thee, Thy divine helping grace, and endow
me with patience and strength to endure my tribulations with complete
submission to Thy Will. Thou knowest my misery and suffering and to Thee,
my only hope and refuge, I flee for relief and comfort; trusting to
Thine infinite love and compassion, that in due time, when Thou knowest
best, Thou wilt deliver me from this trouble, and turn my distress into
comfort, when I shall rejoice in Thy mercy, and exalt and praise Thy
Holy name, O + Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: both now and ever and unto
the ages of ages. Amen.
And any other prayers desired
At the end, say three times:
Grant, O Lord, remission of all sins to our Fathers, Brothers and
Sisters departed in the faith and hope of resurrection, and grant them
memory eternal.
+ Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, O Lord our God have mercy upon us. Amen.
|
