I would like to hear more about the rule of prayer I read the BibLe in the morning and pray. Sometimes I am involved in Bible study with a group later in the day But I find it always very hard, Really impossible to do read and pray before going to sleep. I would appreciate any thoughts on my problem. Also, I would like you to know that I enjoy very much going through the scriptures with you. Thank God for modern technology, I am following from Canada for the last 3months now Thank you. Mona
Mona,
I am so happy you are able to participate in this journey through the scriptures. The main thing I would advise you at this point is to keep it simple. One of the problems we have is that we try to do something too long and then get frustrated when we can’t keep it up. If you are not doing anything at night now, try to say the Trisagion Prayers finishing with the Lord’s Prayer and one evening prayer. Something like this:
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, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.
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: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, 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: 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
And one of the following evening prayers:
Prayer I, of St. Macarius the Great to God the Father:
O Eternal God and King of all creation, in your grace you have brought me to this hour, forgive me the sins that I have committed today in thought, word and deed. Cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from all defilement of flesh and spirit; and grant that I may pass this night asleep in peace. When I rise from my bed grant that I may praise your most holy Name all the days of my life, triumphing over my fleshly passions and all the fleshless foes that war against me. Deliver me, O Lord, from vain and frivolous thoughts, and from defilement by evil desires. Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer II, of St. Antioch to our Lord Jesus Christ:
Divine and Perfect King of all, Word of the Father, Jesus Christ, never leave me but rather in your mercy abide in your servant. O Jesus, Good Shepherd of your sheep, do not deliver me to the serpent’s revolt nor to Satan’s will for the seed of corruption is in me. Beloved Lord, Jesus Christ, my God and King, guard me as I sleep by the light that never fails: your Holy Spirit, by Whom you sanctify your disciples.
Lord grant your unworthy servant salvation on my bed. Enlighten my mind with the light of understanding of your Holy Gospel. Enlighten my soul with the love of your Cross. Enlighten my heart with the purity of your Word. Enlighten my body with your passionless Passion. Keep my thoughts in your humility. And wake me in the morning to sing your glory, for you are supremely glorified, with your eternal Father, and the most Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
Prayer III, of St. Ephrem the Syrian to the Most Holy Spirit:
O Lord, Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, have compassion and mercy on your sinful servant and pardon my unworthiness, and forgive me all the sins that I committed today in my humanity and my inhumanity – behaving worse than a beast! Forgive my voluntary and involuntary sins, known and unknown, from my youth and from evil suggestions, and from my brazenness, and from boredom. If I have sworn by your Name or blasphemed it in thought, blamed or reproached anyone, or in my anger have detracted or slandered anyone, or grieved anyone, or if I have been angry about anything, or have told a lie, if I have slept unnecessarily, or if a beggar has come to me and I despised or neglected him, or if I have troubled or quarreled with anyone, or if I have condemned anyone, or have boasted, or have been proud, or lost my temper with anyone, or if when standing in prayer my mind has been distracted by the glamour of this world, or if I have had depraved thoughts or have overeaten, or have drunk excessively, or have laughed frivolously, or have thought evil, or have seen the beauty of someone and been wounded by it in my heart, or said indecent things, or made fun of another’s sin when my own faults are countless, or been neglectful of prayer, or have done some other wrong that I cannot remember – for I have done all this and much more – have mercy, my Lord and Creator, on your wretched and unworthy servant, and absolve and forgive and deliver me in your goodness and love for us, so that, lustful, sinful and wretched as I am, I may lie down and sleep and rest in peace. And I shall worship, praise and glorify your most honourable Name, with the Father and His only-begotten Son, now and ever, and for all ages. Amen.
Prayer IV, of St. Macarius the Great:
What can I bring to you? How can ever repay you, O Immortal King, the bestower of great gifts, O generous Lord, the Lover of us all? Though I have been lazy in in my work for you and have done nothing good, yet you have brought me to the end of the day seeking the conversion and salvation of my soul. Be merciful towards me for I am a sinner devoid of any good deeds, and raise up my fallen soul though I am defiled by immeasurable sins. Take away every evil thought of this earthly life. O only Sinless One forgive me all the sins I have committed against you this day, in knowledge or in ignorance, in word, deed or thought or through any of my senses. Stand over me and protect me from every assault of the enemy through your divine Power, and your great Love for us all. O God, cleanse the multitude of my sins. Be pleased to deliver me from the snares of the evil one, O Lord, and save my passionate soul. Coming in glory, illumine me with the light of your countenance.
May I fall into a sleep free of apparitions and rest without condemnation . Keep the thoughts of your servant untroubled, and keep far from me every satanic activity. Enlighten the reason-endowed eyes of my heart that I fall not into death. Send to me an angel of peace as a guide and guardian for my soul and body and grant him power to deliver me from my enemies. Then, when I arise from my bed, I shall offer prayers of thanksgiving to you. Hear me, Lord! I am your sinful servant, impoverished in will and conscience. Grant that I may learn from your words when I arise. Cause your Angels to drive demonic despondency far from me. May I bless your holy Name and praise and glorify Mary, the most pure Theotokos, whom you have given to sinners as an intercessor. Receive her prayers for us. We know that she imitates your love for us and never ceases her prayers. Through her intercessions – and those of all your saints – by the Sign of the precious Cross, O Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on my wretched soul! You are Holy and most glorified unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer V:
O Lord, our God, in your goodness and love for all, forgive me all the sins I have committed today in word, deed or thought. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep. Send your Guardian Angel to guard and protect me from all evil. For you are the true guardian of our souls and bodies, and to you we ascribe glory, to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer VI:
O Lord our God, in Whom we believe and Whose Name we invoke above every name, grant us preparing for sleep relaxation of soul and body, and keep us from all temptations and dark pleasures. Stop the rushing of passions, and quench the burning of bodily tensions. Grant us to live chastely in word and act, that we may live a life of heroic virtue and not fall away from your promised blessings. Blessed are you for ever. Amen.
Remember, just one of those prayers. If you can’t do all that, then say the Lord’s Prayer and one of the evening prayers. It is really not that long. And go to bed being thankful for the Lord’s goodness in your life. If you miss a day or two, just get back. It takes practice to get consistent. Let me know how it goes.
I would like to hear more about the rule of prayer I read the BibLe in the morning and pray. Sometimes I am involved in Bible study with a group later in the day But I find it always very hard, Really impossible to do read and pray before going to sleep. I would appreciate any thoughts on my problem. Also, I would like you to know that I enjoy very much going through the scriptures with you. Thank God for modern technology, I am following from Canada for the last 3months now Thank you. Mona
Mona,
I am so happy you are able to participate in this journey through the scriptures. The main thing I would advise you at this point is to keep it simple. One of the problems we have is that we try to do something too long and then get frustrated when we can’t keep it up. If you are not doing anything at night now, try to say the Trisagion Prayers finishing with the Lord’s Prayer and one evening prayer. Something like this:
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, O Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.
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: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, 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: 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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
And one of the following evening prayers:
Prayer I, of St. Macarius the Great to God the Father:
O Eternal God and King of all creation, in your grace you have brought me to this hour, forgive me the sins that I have committed today in thought, word and deed. Cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from all defilement of flesh and spirit; and grant that I may pass this night asleep in peace. When I rise from my bed grant that I may praise your most holy Name all the days of my life, triumphing over my fleshly passions and all the fleshless foes that war against me. Deliver me, O Lord, from vain and frivolous thoughts, and from defilement by evil desires. Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer II, of St. Antioch to our Lord Jesus Christ:
Divine and Perfect King of all, Word of the Father, Jesus Christ, never leave me but rather in your mercy abide in your servant. O Jesus, Good Shepherd of your sheep, do not deliver me to the serpent’s revolt nor to Satan’s will for the seed of corruption is in me. Beloved Lord, Jesus Christ, my God and King, guard me as I sleep by the light that never fails: your Holy Spirit, by Whom you sanctify your disciples.
Lord grant your unworthy servant salvation on my bed. Enlighten my mind with the light of understanding of your Holy Gospel. Enlighten my soul with the love of your Cross. Enlighten my heart with the purity of your Word. Enlighten my body with your passionless Passion. Keep my thoughts in your humility. And wake me in the morning to sing your glory, for you are supremely glorified, with your eternal Father, and the most Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
Prayer III, of St. Ephrem the Syrian to the Most Holy Spirit:
O Lord, Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, have compassion and mercy on your sinful servant and pardon my unworthiness, and forgive me all the sins that I committed today in my humanity and my inhumanity – behaving worse than a beast! Forgive my voluntary and involuntary sins, known and unknown, from my youth and from evil suggestions, and from my brazenness, and from boredom. If I have sworn by your Name or blasphemed it in thought, blamed or reproached anyone, or in my anger have detracted or slandered anyone, or grieved anyone, or if I have been angry about anything, or have told a lie, if I have slept unnecessarily, or if a beggar has come to me and I despised or neglected him, or if I have troubled or quarreled with anyone, or if I have condemned anyone, or have boasted, or have been proud, or lost my temper with anyone, or if when standing in prayer my mind has been distracted by the glamour of this world, or if I have had depraved thoughts or have overeaten, or have drunk excessively, or have laughed frivolously, or have thought evil, or have seen the beauty of someone and been wounded by it in my heart, or said indecent things, or made fun of another’s sin when my own faults are countless, or been neglectful of prayer, or have done some other wrong that I cannot remember – for I have done all this and much more – have mercy, my Lord and Creator, on your wretched and unworthy servant, and absolve and forgive and deliver me in your goodness and love for us, so that, lustful, sinful and wretched as I am, I may lie down and sleep and rest in peace. And I shall worship, praise and glorify your most honourable Name, with the Father and His only-begotten Son, now and ever, and for all ages. Amen.
Prayer IV, of St. Macarius the Great:
What can I bring to you? How can ever repay you, O Immortal King, the bestower of great gifts, O generous Lord, the Lover of us all? Though I have been lazy in in my work for you and have done nothing good, yet you have brought me to the end of the day seeking the conversion and salvation of my soul. Be merciful towards me for I am a sinner devoid of any good deeds, and raise up my fallen soul though I am defiled by immeasurable sins. Take away every evil thought of this earthly life. O only Sinless One forgive me all the sins I have committed against you this day, in knowledge or in ignorance, in word, deed or thought or through any of my senses. Stand over me and protect me from every assault of the enemy through your divine Power, and your great Love for us all. O God, cleanse the multitude of my sins. Be pleased to deliver me from the snares of the evil one, O Lord, and save my passionate soul. Coming in glory, illumine me with the light of your countenance.
May I fall into a sleep free of apparitions and rest without condemnation . Keep the thoughts of your servant untroubled, and keep far from me every satanic activity. Enlighten the reason-endowed eyes of my heart that I fall not into death. Send to me an angel of peace as a guide and guardian for my soul and body and grant him power to deliver me from my enemies. Then, when I arise from my bed, I shall offer prayers of thanksgiving to you. Hear me, Lord! I am your sinful servant, impoverished in will and conscience. Grant that I may learn from your words when I arise. Cause your Angels to drive demonic despondency far from me. May I bless your holy Name and praise and glorify Mary, the most pure Theotokos, whom you have given to sinners as an intercessor. Receive her prayers for us. We know that she imitates your love for us and never ceases her prayers. Through her intercessions – and those of all your saints – by the Sign of the precious Cross, O Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on my wretched soul! You are Holy and most glorified unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer V:
O Lord, our God, in your goodness and love for all, forgive me all the sins I have committed today in word, deed or thought. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep. Send your Guardian Angel to guard and protect me from all evil. For you are the true guardian of our souls and bodies, and to you we ascribe glory, to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer VI:
O Lord our God, in Whom we believe and Whose Name we invoke above every name, grant us preparing for sleep relaxation of soul and body, and keep us from all temptations and dark pleasures. Stop the rushing of passions, and quench the burning of bodily tensions. Grant us to live chastely in word and act, that we may live a life of heroic virtue and not fall away from your promised blessings. Blessed are you for ever. Amen.
Remember, just one of those prayers. If you can’t do all that, then say the Lord’s Prayer and one of the evening prayers. It is really not that long. And go to bed being thankful for the Lord’s goodness in your life. If you miss a day or two, just get back. It takes practice to get consistent. Let me know how it goes.