Morning Prayers

Opening Prayers

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (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.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from 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.

Trinitarian Troparia

Having risen from sleep, we fall down before Thee, O Good One, and sing to Thee, O Mighty One, the angelic hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God; through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.

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 Theotokos, have mercy on us.

Suddenly the Judge shall come, and the deeds of each shall be laid bare; but with fear do we cry out at midnight: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God; through the Theotokos, have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy. (12 times)

Prayer of Thanksgiving to the 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 may 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, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Glory to Thee, O King, O God Almighty, Who by Thy divine and loving providence hast vouchsafed me, a sinner and unworthy, to rise from sleep and to behold Thy bright day. Receive, O Lord, the voice of my prayer, together with that of Thy holy Bodiless Powers, and grant that I, with a pure heart and a humble spirit, may offer Thee praise from unclean lips, that I too, a sinner, may be found with the lamp of my soul alight among the wise virgins, glorifying Thee, the glorified God the Son, in the Father and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O come let us worship God our King.

O come let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and God.

O come let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and 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 mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned and done this evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy words, and prevail when Thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear me. For behold, Thou hast loved truth; the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom hast Thou made manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn Thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall turn back unto Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in Thy righteousness. O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt offerings Thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

The Symbol of Faith

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made;

Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from the heavens, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man;

And was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried;

And rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures;

And ascended into the heavens, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;

And shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke by the prophets.

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.

Prayers of St. Macarius the Great

1. O God, cleanse me a sinner, for I have never done anything good in Thy sight; but deliver me from the evil one, and let Thy will be done in me, that I may open mine unworthy mouth without condemnation and praise Thy holy name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

2. Having risen from sleep, I offer unto Thee, O Saviour, the midnight hymn, and falling down before Thee I 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 up me who lie in idleness, and save me in watchfulness and prayer, and after the night's sleep shine upon me a sinless day, O Christ God, and save me.

3. Having risen from sleep, I hasten to Thee, O Master, Lover of mankind, and by Thy mercy I go forth to Thy works. I pray Thee: help me at all times, in every circumstance, and keep me from every evil thing in the world and from the swiftness of the devil, and save me, and bring me into Thine eternal kingdom. For Thou art my Creator, and the Provider and Giver of every good thing, and in Thee is all my hope, and unto Thee do I send up glory, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

4. O Lord, Who in Thine abundant goodness and Thy great compassion hast granted me, Thy servant, to pass through the time of this past night without harm from any opposing evil: do Thou Thyself, O Master, Creator of all things, vouchsafe me by Thy true light and with an enlightened heart to do Thy will, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer of St. Basil the Great

O Lord Almighty, God of hosts and of all flesh, Who dwellest on high and lookest down on things that are lowly, Who searchest the heart and innermost being, and clearly foreknowest the secrets of men; O unoriginate and everlasting Light, with Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning: do Thou, O Immortal King, receive our supplications, which we, trusting in the multitude of Thy compassions, offer Thee at this present time from defiled lips; and forgive us our sins, committed in deed, word, and thought, whether knowingly or in ignorance, and cleanse us from every defilement of flesh and spirit. And grant us to pass through the whole night of this present life with watchful heart and sober thought, ever awaiting the coming of the bright and appointed day of Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, whereon the Judge of all shall come with glory to render to each according to his deeds. May we not be found fallen and slothful, but watchful and upright, ready to enter with Him into the joy and divine palace of His glory, where there is the ceaseless sound of those who keep festival, and the ineffable delight of those who behold the ineffable beauty of Thy countenance. For Thou art the true Light, Who enlightenest and sanctifiest all, and all creation hymns Thee unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer of the Same Saint

We bless Thee, O Most High God and Lord of mercy, Who ever workest with us things both great and inscrutable, glorious and marvelous, beyond number; Who grantest us sleep for rest from our infirmities, and repose from the labors of our much-toiling flesh. We thank Thee that Thou hast not destroyed us with our iniquities, but hast shown Thy usual love for mankind, and, when we lay in despair, hast raised us up to glorify Thy dominion. Wherefore we beseech Thy boundless goodness: enlighten our thoughts, awaken our eyes and mind from the heavy sleep of slothfulness, open our mouths and fill them with Thy praise, that we may unceasingly sing and confess Thee, Who art glorified by all and in all, the unoriginate Father, together with Thine Only-begotten Son and Thine All-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Midnight Hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos

I sing of Thy grace, O Sovereign Lady, and I pray Thee to grace my mind. Teach me to walk aright in the way of Christ's commandments. Strengthen me to keep watch in prayer, driving away the sleep of despondency. Bound as I am by the chains of sin, loose me by Thy supplications, O Bride of God. Guard me by night and by day, delivering me from the enemies who war against me. Give life to me who am deadened by passions, O thou who gavest birth to the Life-giving God. Enlighten my blinded soul, O thou who gavest birth to the never-setting Light. O wondrous palace of the Lord, make me a dwelling of the Divine Spirit. O thou who gavest birth to the Physician, heal the long-standing passions of my soul. Guide me to the path of repentance, for I am tossed by the storm of life. Deliver me from the eternal fire, the evil worm, and Tartarus, that I may not become a joy to the demons, I who have fallen into many sins. All-blameless one, make me a new man, grown old as I am through insensible transgressions. Remove me from every torment, and entreat the Master of all on my behalf. Grant that I may attain, with all the Saints, to the joy of heaven. Most Holy Virgin, hearken to the voice of thine unworthy servant. Most Pure One, grant me a flood of tears to wash away the defilement of my soul. Unceasingly I bring Thee the sighing of my heart; be gracious, O Sovereign Lady, accept my prayerful service and offer it to the merciful God. Thou who art higher than the angels, raise me above the confusion of this world. Light-bearing heavenly tabernacle, direct the grace of the Spirit within me. All-blameless one, I raise up in Thy praise these hands and lips, defiled as they are. Deliver me from soul-destroying evils, fervently entreating Christ, to Whom belongs honor and worship, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ

O my most merciful and all-merciful God, Lord Jesus Christ, out of great love Thou didst come down and become incarnate, that Thou mightest save all. And again, O Saviour, save me by Thy grace, I pray Thee. For if Thou shouldst save me because of my works, that would not be grace or a gift, but a duty. But Thou, great in mercy and ineffable in compassion, hast said, O my Christ: he that believeth in Me shall live and never see death. If, then, faith in Thee saves the despairing, behold, I believe: save me, for Thou art my God and my Creator. Let faith stand in place of works for me, O my God, for Thou wilt find no works to justify me. But let this faith of mine suffice instead of all works; let it answer for me, let it justify me, let it make me a partaker of Thine eternal glory; and let Satan not seize me, and boast, O Word, that he has torn me from Thy hand and protection. But whether I will or not, save me, O Christ my Saviour; make haste, make haste, for I perish, for Thou art my God from my mother's womb. Vouchsafe, O Lord, that I may now love Thee as fervently as I once loved sin, and that I may serve Thee again without idleness, diligently, as I once served deceitful Satan. And above all shall I serve Thee, my Lord and God, Jesus Christ, all the days of my life, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer to the Guardian Angel

O holy angel who standest beside my wretched soul and my passionate life, forsake me not, a sinner, nor depart from me because of my intemperance. Give the cunning demon no place to master me through the violence of this mortal body. Strengthen my poor and feeble hand, and guide me on the path of salvation. O holy angel of God, guardian and protector of my unhappy soul and body, forgive me all wherein I have offended thee all the days of my life; and if I have sinned this past night, protect me this day, and keep me from every temptation of the devil, that I may not anger God by any sin. And pray for me to the Lord, that He may establish me in His fear, and show me to be a worthy servant of His goodness. Amen.

Concluding Morning Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos

O my most holy Sovereign Lady, Theotokos, by thy holy and all-powerful supplications, drive away from me, thy humble and wretched servant, despondency, forgetfulness, folly, negligence, and all filthy, evil, and blasphemous thoughts from my wretched heart and darkened mind; and quench the flame of my passions, for I am poor and wretched; and deliver me from the many and bitter memories and endeavors, and free me from every evil deed; for thou art blessed by all generations, and thy most honorable name is glorified unto the ages. Amen.

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos

O Theotokos and Virgin, 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.

Dismissal

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)

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, our venerable and God-bearing fathers, and all the saints, save me, a sinner. Amen.

Prayer at the Start of the Day, by Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow

O Lord, grant that I may meet all that this coming day brings me with peace of soul, and that I may fully surrender myself to Thy holy will. Direct me and help me in every hour of this day. Govern my thoughts and feelings in all my deeds and words. Let me not forget, in whatever is unforeseen, that all things come from Thee. Teach me to deal justly and kindly with all who are near to me, that I may anger or grieve no one. O Lord, give me strength to bear the weariness of this coming day, and all that it shall bring. Direct my will, and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to endure, to forgive, and to love.

O Lord, grant that I may be an instrument of Thy peace: where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is offense, forgiveness; where there is discord, union; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sorrow, joy.

O Divine Teacher, let me never seek to be consoled, but to console; not to be understood, but to understand; not to be loved, but to love. For it is when we forgive that we are forgiven; when we give that we receive; and when we die that we are born to life everlasting.

O Holy Spirit, be my help, that I may devote this day to my Lord and Saviour. O Lord Jesus, Son of God, it is better not to live at all than to live without Thee and against Thee. I thank Thee, O God, for the gift of this day, and for all the good which Thou wilt help me to do this day. Deliver me, merciful God, from the desire to please myself, and grant that at every moment I may be ready, for Thy sake and my neighbor's, to deny myself, for it was for this very service that Thou gavest me life. Help me to cast away from myself all that is not Thine, and to receive what is Thine in deep faith, hope, and love. Give me courage to serve Thee steadfastly: to set justice above gain, to set the doing of noble deeds above passing pleasures, to set others above myself, and to fulfill Thy commandment of love. Grant that the light of Thy beauty, goodness, and love may shine forth in my soul. Amen.