Evening Prayers of the Orthodox Church
Evening Prayers of the Orthodox Church.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 x).
Opening Prayer:
O eternal God, King of all creation, Who have kept me safe to attain this hour, forgive me the sins which I have committed this day in thought, word, and deed. And cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from every stain of flesh and spirit. Grant me, O Lord, to pass this night in peace, to rise from my bed, and to please Your holy Name all the days of my life. Deliver me, O Lord, from the vain thoughts that stain me, and from evil desires. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Intercessory Prayers:
Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Your mercies and lovingkindnesses, which have been from everlasting, and for the sake of which You did become man and deign to endure crucifixion and death for the salvation of all who rightly believe in you. You rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, and sit at the right hand of God the Father, and regard the humble prayers of all who call upon You with their whole heart. Incline Your ear and hear the humble entreaty of me, Your unprofitable servant, who offers it for an odor of spiritual fragrance for all Your people. And first of all remember Your Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church which You have purchased with Your precious blood.
Confirm and strengthen it, enlarge and multiply it, keep it in peace, and preserve it unconquerable by the gates of hell forever. Heal the schisms of the churches, quench the ragings of the heathen, speedily undo and root out the growths of heresies, and bring them to naught by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon my parents, my spouse, my brothers and sisters, my children, my kinsmen after the flesh and my friends, and grant them Your blessings both here and hereafter.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon the old, the young, the needy, and the orphans and the widows, and on all that are in sickness and sorrow, in distress and affliction, in oppression and captivity, in prison and confinement. More especially have mercy upon Your servants who are under persecution for Your sake and for the sake of the Faith at the hands of heathen nations, of apostates, and of heretics: remember them, visit, strengthen, keep and comfort them, and make haste to grant them relief, freedom and deliverance through Your power.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon those who envy and affront me, and do me mischief, and do not let them perish through me, a sinner.
Closing Prayer:
O Christ, our God, Who at all times and in every hour in heaven and on earth are worshiped and glorified; Who are long-suffering, merciful and compassionate; Who love the just and show mercy upon sinners; Who call all to salvation through the promise of the good things to come; O Lord, in this hour receive our supplications and direct our lives according to Your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our minds; deliver us from all tribulation, evil and distress. Surround us with Your Holy Angels, so that guided and guarded by them, we may attain to the unity of the Faith and to the full knowledge of Your unapproachable glory. For you are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
As you go to sleep:
Into Your hands, O Lord Jesus Christ, I commit my spirit and body; bless me, save me, and grant me eternal life. Amen.