MORNING 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.
TROPARIA TO THE HOLY TRINITY
As we rise from sleep we worship Thee, O good and powerful Lord, and to Thee we sing the Angel’s hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God. Through the prayers of the Theotokos, have mercy upon us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Having raised me from my bed, and from my sleep, O Lord, enlighten my mind and heart, and open my mouth to praise Thee, O Holy Trinity, saying: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God. Through the prayers of the Theotokos, have mercy upon us.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Suddenly the Judge shall come, and the deeds of each of us shall be laid bare. But at midnight, let us cry with fear saying: Holy, Holy, Holy art Thou, O God. Through the prayers of the Theotokos, have mercy upon us.
THANKSGIVING PRAYER OF ST. BASIL THE GREAT TO THE MOST HOLY TRINITY
As I rise from sleep I thank Thee, O Holy Trinity, because of the abundance of thy goodness and long-suffering Thou hast not been upset with me a sinner, nor let me perish in my iniquities; but hast shown Thy usual love for mankind, and hast raised me up when I had fallen into despair, to hasten to praise Thy power. Enlighten the eyes of my mind and open my mouth to meditate on Thy words, to understand Thy commandments, to do Thy will, to sing to Thee in heartfelt confession, and to praise Thine all-holy Name, of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
PRAYER OF THE WISE VIRGINS
Glory to Thee, Almighty King and God; for in Thy love for mankind, Thou hast prepared me, an unworthy sinner, to rise from sleep and to gain entrance into Thy holy house. Accept O Lord, the voice of my supplication, as from Thy holy and noetic powers. Be pleased that my song, issuing from impure lips, be offered to Thee with a pure heart and a spirit of humility, that I too may become a companion of the wise virgins, with the bright lamp of my soul, that I may glorify Thee, Word of God, glorified in the Father and in 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 OF REPENTANCE (PSALM 50)
Have mercy upon 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 am conscious of mine iniquity; and my sin is continually before me. Against Thee only have I sinned, and done evil before Thee, that Thou mightest be justified in Thy sayings, and might prevail when Thou art judged.
For, behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother conceive me. For, behold, Thou lovest truth, Thou hast revealed to me the secret and hidden things of Thy wisdom. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be purified. Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt cause me to hear joy and gladness; the bones that are humbled, they shall rejoice.
Turn away Thy face 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 to me the joy of Thy salvation, and with Thy governing Spirit, establish me. Then I shall teach transgressors Thy ways, and ungodly men shall turn to Thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall joyfully declare Thy righteousness.
O Lord, Thou shalt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Thy praise. For if Thou desirest sacrifice, I would have given it; Thou wilt not take pleasure in whole-burnt-offerings. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a broken and humbled heart, God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, to Sion in Thy good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then shalt Thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, the offering, and whole-burnt-sacrifices. Then shall they offer calves upon Thine altar.
SYMBOL OF FAITH (THE CREED)
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 only-begotten Son of God, 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 heaven, 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 arose again on the third day according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the dead; Whose kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; Who spoke through 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.
MORNING PRAYER OF THE OPTINA ELDERS
O Lord, grant that I may meet all that this coming day brings to me with spiritual tranquility. Grant that I may fully surrender myself to Thy holy Will. At every hour of this day, direct and support me in all things. Whatsoever news may reach me in the course of the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and the firm conviction that all is subject to Thy holy will. Direct my thoughts and feelings in all my words and actions. In all unexpected occurrences, do not let me forget that all is sent down from Thee. Grant that I may deal straightforwardly and wisely with every member of my family, neither embarrassing nor saddening anyone. O Lord, grant me the strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and all the events that take place during it. Direct my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to be patient, to forgive, and to love. Amen.