EVENING PRAYERS
Enter the presence of God, ready to engage in Unseen Warfare, and make the sign of the cross and say:
USUAL BEGINNING
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, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good gifts and Giver of Life, come and abide in us, and cleanse us of all 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 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 ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, 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.
PRAYER OF ST. MACARIUS THE GREAT
O Eternal God and King of all creation, Who hast granted me to arrive at this hour, forgive the sins I have committed this day in deed, word and thought. Cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from every defilement of flesh and spirit. Grant that I may pass through this night in peace. When I rise from my humble bed, may I please Thy most Holy Name all the days of my life and trample under foot the enemies that wage war against me, whether bodily or spiritual. Deliver me, Lord, from vain thoughts that defile me and from evil lusts. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
PRAYER TO CHRIST
And now, as I lay down to sleep, O Master, grant me repose both of body and soul, and keep me from the dark sleep of sin and from the sensuous pleasure of the dark passions of the night. Still the assaults of passion and quench the fiery darts of the wicked one which are thrown cunningly at me. Calm the commotions of my flesh and put away all earthly and material thoughts as I sleep. Grant unto me, O God, a watchful mind, chaste thoughts, a sober heart, and a gentle sleep, free from all the fantasies of Satan. And raise me up again at the hour of prayer, established in Thy commandments and holding steadfast within, the remembrance of Thy judgments. Give me the words of Thy glorification all night long, that I may praise, bless, and glorify Thy most honourable and magnificent Name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
PRAYER TO YOUR GUARDIAN ANGEL
Holy angel who watches out for my wretched soul, forsake me not, and depart not from me because of my lack of restraint and wickedness. Prevent Satan from ruling with his might, this mortal body of mine, and hold me by my feeble hand and lead me in the path of salvation. O holy Guardian Angel of God, protector of my wretched soul and body, forgive me all wherewith I have saddened thee all the days of my life. And though I have sinned today, be thou my shelter this night. Protect me that I may not upset God with any sin. Intercede with the Lord for me, that He may confirm me in His fear, and reveal me a worthy servant of His goodness. Amen.
Enlighten my eyes, Christ God, that I fall not asleep to death and that my enemy may not say of me: I have overcome him.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Be the Helper of my soul, O God, for I walk among many snares. Deliver me from them, O Good One, and save me, for Thou lovest mankind.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Let us ever hymn the most glorious Mother of God, who is holier than the holy Angels. With heart and lips let us confess that she is the Theotokos, for she truly bore God incarnate for us and prays ceaselessly for our souls. Amen.