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Having risen from sleep, before any other action, stand reverently, considering yourself to be in the presence of the All-seeing God, and, having made the sign of the Cross, say:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
There maybe other things you need to do first, but then return. Pause a moment, until all your senses are calmed and laying aside all earthly cares, make three bows, saying:
The Prayer of the Publican:
O God, be merciful to me a sinner. (3x).
The Beginning Prayer:
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of your most pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
O heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, everywhere present and filling all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and abide 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. (3x)
(From Easter to Ascension, say rather “Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!” 3x)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O, Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for your Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (3x)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be your Name; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth, as in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from the Evil One.
Having arisen from sleep, we fall down before you, O Blessed One, and sing to you, O Mighty One, the Angelic Hymn: Holy, holy, holy are you, O God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Having raised me from my bed and sleep, O Lord, enlighten my mind and my heart, and open my lips that I may praise you, O Holy Trinity: Holy, holy, holy are you, O God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Suddenly the Judge will come, and the deeds of all will be made known: therefore early in the morning we cry out in awe: Holy, holy, holy are you, O God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy. (12x)
In rising from sleep to begin another day, O holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I give thanks to you for being so patient with me in your great goodness, for never showing any anger with me in spite of my failings and laziness, and for refusing to let me perish in my transgressions. Instead, you have shown me your great love for mankind over and over again, raising me up from every new trouble I fall into, that again and again I might cry out to you with each new day, praising your almighty power. Now, then, enlighten the eyes of my mind and heart and open my lips to ponder and reflect on your word, to come to an understanding of your commandments, to do your will in all things, and to sing to you from the depths of my heart, forever glorifying your most holy name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: now and forever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Come, let us worship God, our King, and bow down before him.
Come, let us worship Christ God, our King, and bow down before him.
Come, let us worship Christ, our King and our God, and bow down before him.
Psalm 50 (51)
Have mercy on me, O God, in your kindness; in your great tenderness, wipe out my sin. Over and over again, cleanse me of all malice; from my fault purify me. For my sin is only too clear to me; my sin is ever before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your eyes, this I have done. You are just when you sentence, without reproach when you judge. For in guilt itself was I born; a sinner my mother conceived.
But you love truth at the heart of my being; teach me wisdom deep within me. Purify me: I shall be cleaner than spring water; wash me: I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear the sound of joy and feasting; let them dance, these bones you have crushed. Turn your face away from my sins; cleanse me of all malice. O God, create in me a pure heart, in my belly, a new and constant spirit. Do not banish me from your presence; do not deprive me of your holy spirit.
Give me back the joy of your help; insure within me a spirit of fervor, that I may teach sinners your ways, that the misguided may return to you. Rescue me from death, O God, my saving God, and my tongue shall ring out your justice! Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
For you take no delight in sacrifice; were I to make a burnt offering, you would want no part of it. The best sacrifice, a broken spirit; a heart broken and crushed you have never disdained, O God.
In your kindness, be good to Sion: Rebuild Jerusalem within its walls! Then you will delight in just sacrifices — burnt offerings completely consumed! — then will they lay calves upon your altar!
The Symbol of the Orthodox Faith:
We 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 Son of God, born of the Father before all ages: light of light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, through whom all things came into being. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven and became incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man: he was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried, and rose again on the third day according to the scriptures; and he ascended into heaven and sits at the right of the Father, and he will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead; of his kingdom there shall be no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who is worshipped and glorified with the Father and the Son, who spoke through the prophets. We believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess one baptism for the remission of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.
Prayer I, of St. Macarius the Great:
O God, cleanse me a sinner! I have never done any good thing in your sight; deliver me from the evil one, and let your will be fulfilled in me: unworthy though I am, let me speak to you without condemnation, and praise your all-holy name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer II, of the same saint:
My Saviour, as I rise from sleep I offer the midnight hymn and falling down before you, I cry: Grant that I not fall asleep in the death of sin. As you willingly gave yourself to crucifixion, have compassion on me and quickly raise me from my idle rest. Save me in prayer and intercession. After the night’s sleep shine on me the light of a sinless day and save me, O Christ God. Amen.
Prayer III, of the same saint:
Divine Master, Lover of us all, I run to you as I rise from sleep and by your loving-kindness, I strive to do your work praying to you: Help me at all times and in everything. Deliver me from every worldly, evil thing and every impulse of the devil. Save me and lead me into your eternal kingdom. You are my Creator, the Giver and Provider of everything good, all my hope is in you, and all glory is yours in all things, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer IV, of the same saint:
O Lord, in your abundant goodness and great compassion you have allowed your servant to make it through last night without attack from any opposing evil: O Master, Creator of all things, grant that in your true light, shining within my heart and throughout the world, I may do your will, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer V, of St. Basil the Great:
Lord Almighty, God of hosts and of all flesh, you see all things from the highest to the lowest; to you all hearts are open, all desires known and from you no secrets are hid; Light without beginning or ending in whom there there is no change, neither shadow nor turning: Immortal King, receive our supplications which we presume, because of your great compassion, to offer you from our defiled lips. Forgive us all our sins in deed, word, and thought, committed knowingly or unknowingly, and cleanse us from every defilement of flesh and spirit. Grant that we may pass through the night of this whole present life with watchful heart and sober thought, ever expecting the coming of the bright and appointed day of your Only-begotten Son, our Lord and God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the judge of all who is coming with glory to reward each according to his deeds. May we not be found fallen and idle, but rather upright and vigilant, ready to accompany Him into the Divine Presence of his joy and glory. There those who keep festival make endless song and those who behold the ineffable beauty of your face live in boundless joy. You are the true Light enlightening and sanctifying all, and all that is sings to you. Amen.
Prayer VI, likewise by St. Basil:
We bless you, O Most High God and Lord of mercy, doing for us innumerable things both great and inscrutable, both glorious and awesome: you give us sleep for rest from our infirmities, and relaxation from the burdens of our labours. We thank you for not letting us remain in our sins, but rather for showing your usual love for us: as we lay in despair upon our beds, you have raised us up to glorify your kingdom. Now we beg your goodness to enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our minds from laziness; open our mouths and fill them with your praise, that we may be able steadily to hymn and confess you as God glorified in all and by all: the Father without beginning, with your Only-begotten Son, and your All-holy and good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer VII, Hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos:
O Sovereign Lady, I hymn your grace and I beg you to grace my mind.
Teach me to step aright in the way of Christ’s commandments.
Strengthen me to keep awake in song, and drive away the sleep of despondency.
O Bride of God pray for my release, for I am bound with the bonds of sin.
Guard me by night and by day, and deliver me from foes that defeat me.
O bearer of God the Life-giver, enliven me who am deadened by passions.
O bearer of the unwaning Light, enlighten my blinded soul.
O marvellous palace of the Master, make me to be a house of the Divine Spirit.
O bearer of the Healer, heal the perennial passions of my soul.
Guide me to the path of repentance, for I am tossed in the storm of life.
Deliver me from eternal fire, and from evil spirits, and from Hell.
Let me not be exposed to the rejoicing of demons, guilty as I am of many sins.
All Pure one, renew me, grown old from senseless sins.
Present me untouched by all torments, and pray for me to the Master of all.
Vouchsafe me to find the joys of heaven with all the saints.
O most holy Virgin, hearken unto the voice of your unprofitable servant.
O most Pure one, grant me torrents of tears to cleanse my soul from impurity.
O Sovereign Lady, I offer the ceaseless groans of my heart to you: strengthen me
Accept my service of supplication and offer it to compassionate God.
O Height beyond the angels, raise me above this world’s confusion.
O Light bearing heavenly tabernacle, direct the grace of the Spirit in me.
All Pure One, My hands and lips are defiled by my sins, yet I raise them in your praise!
Deliver me from soul corrupting evils, and fervently intercede with Christ,
to Whom is due honour and worship, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer VIII, to our Lord Jesus Christ:
My Most Gracious and All Merciful God, Lord Jesus Christ, by your love you became incarnate among us to save us all; O Saviour, save me in your grace. If you were to save me because I have done good works, this would not be a gift: but rather some kind of obligation or duty. But because of your compassion and mercy, you have said that whoever believes in you, my Christ, would live and never die. If it is faith in you that saves the desperate, then I believe! Save me, for you are my God and Creator. Grant me strong faith instead of works, O my God, for you will find nothing I have done which could justify me. May my faith suffice instead of any works! May my faith answer for me! May my faith acquit me! May my faith make me a partaker of your eternal glory. Divine Word, do not let Satan seize me and boast that he tore me from your hand and fold. But whether I desire it or not, save me, O Christ my Saviour! Forestall me quickly, quickly, for I perish. You, alone, are my God from my mother’s womb: Grant that I love you forever as fervently as I once loved sin itself. Grant me to work for you without idleness, as diligently as I once worked for the great Deceiver. Let me I work for you, my Lord and God, Jesus Christ, all the days of my life, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer IX, to the Holy Guardian Angel:
Holy Angel, overseer of my wretched soul and miserable life, do not abandon this sinner nor desert me because of my inconstancy; leave no place for the evil demon to obtain dominion over me by gaining control of this mortal body; strengthen my weak and feeble flesh, and guide me into the way of salvation. Holy Angel of God, guardian and protector of my wretched soul and body, pardon me all the things by which I have distressed you all the days of my life, and whatever sins I have committed in the night past; shelter me in the coming day and protect me from every abuse of the adversary, that I may not anger my God by any sin; and intercede for me to the Lord, to strengthen me in his fear, and show me to be a worthy servant of his goodness. Amen.
Prayer X, to the Most Holy Theotokos:
Most holy Lady, Theotokos! Unworthy as I am, I beseech you: By your powerful and holy prayers, rid my heart of all despair, of all sluggishness and slowness to understand, of all negligence and carelessness, of all improper and rationalizing thoughts. By your mighty intercession, purify my dark and clouded mind and rid my bruised and battered spirit of all this foolishness and evil. Put out the flames of my passions, free me from memories of evils long gone by, rescue me from every tendency to wrong, and see my need, O Lady, see my sorrow! In your goodness, help me, for you are on the lips of every generation, and your glorious name is honored unto ages of ages. Amen.
Song to the Most Holy Theotokos:
Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have given birth to the Saviour of our souls (x3).
Invocations:
Most glorious and ever-Virgin Mother of Christ our God, carry our prayers and petitions to your Son and our God and beg him through your intercessions to save us.
Heavenly host of Holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us sinners!
Most Glorious Apostles, Martyrs and All Saints, pray for us sinners!
Pray unto God for me, O holy (name your patron saint), for I fervently flee to you, my speedy helper and the intercessor for my soul.
Troparion to the Cross:
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance. Give victory to those who battle evil, and with your cross protect us all.
Intercessions:
O Lord Jesus Christ, your mercies and loving-kindness are from all eternity. Because of your love, you become man, living with us, you suffered, died and rose again for the salvation of those who rejected you. Now you reign at the right hand of God the Father, hearing the prayers of those who call upon you: incline your ear, and hear my humble prayer, offered as incense before you on behalf of all.
Remember your One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church throughout the world, purchased with your precious blood. Confirm, strengthen, extend, and increase her. Guard her in peace, for ever proof against the gates of hell. Calm the dissensions of the faithful, foil the plans of the powers of darkness, dispel the prejudice of the nations, and quickly ruin and root out the risings of heresy, frustrating them by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on (name the civil authorities) and all in authority throughout the world; protect their power with peace, and subdue under their feet every enemy and foe, and speak peace and blessing in their hearts for all your people, and grant that in their calm we too may lead a quiet and peaceful life in true belief, in all piety and honesty.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on all you have called to feed your people and to minister in your Church; and by their prayers, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on (name the hierarchy of your church, your pastor and any other clergy for whom you wish to pray): lighten their burden, console them in their afflictions, and grant them strength, power and perseverance in their struggle, and by their prayers have mercy upon me.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on (name your spiritual father or mother) and save me by his prayers.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on all my co-workers, our clients, all who seek work with us, and all who labour in this community and for our benefit, and all Christians in their work.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on (name family and friends and all for whom you wish to pray) grant them your worldly and spiritual bounty.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on all the old and the young, the poor and destitute, the orphans and widows and those in sickness and sorrow, misfortune and tribulation, captives and exiles, those in prisons and reformatories, and especially on your servants suffering persecution for your sake and for their Faith in you. Visit, strengthen, comfort, and heal them, and by your power quickly grant them relief, freedom and deliverance.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on those who entrust us to pray for them, despite our unworthiness; give them your grace, and grant all their requests leading to salvation, and the attainment of eternal joy.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on all who are messengers and missionaries in your service, and those who travel on land or sea or air or through outer space.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on those whom I have offended or scandalized by my madness or inadvertence, and whom I have led into evil and harmful deeds; by your divine providence restore them again to the way of salvation.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on those who hate and offend me, and do me harm, and let them not perish because of me, a sinner.
Illumine with the light of your grace all who seek you and guide those who wander far in their journey to you. Bring them to unity with you and with the community of those who serve you in faith.
Remember, O Lord, those who have departed from this life, faithful rulers in the world and in the Church, and all the faithful: grant them rest with the Saints.
Remember, O Lord, the souls of your servants departed in sleep, (name all the departed you wish to commemorate) together with all your servants who have departed this life in the hope of resurrection and eternal life, and all who lie here and in all the world; forgive them every transgression, voluntary and involuntary; grant them rest with your Saints where the light of your Face shines, a part in your eternal joys, and the delight of your blessed and everlasting life; and have mercy on us, for you are good and the Lover of All. Amen.
Grant, O Lord, remission of all sins to all our Fathers, Mothers, Brothers and Sisters departed in the faith and hope of resurrection, and make their memory eternal. (3x)
Prayer of John Chrysostom before reading Scripture:
O Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of my heart, that I may hear your word and understand it; that I may do your will as a sojourner upon the earth. Do not hide your commandments from me but rather open my eyes that I may perceive the wonders of your law. Reveal your secret wisdom to me. You are all of my hope, O my God! Enlighten my mind and heart with the light of your knowledge and let me not only cherish those things which are written, but grant also that I may do them; that in reading the lives and sayings of the saints I may not sin, but rather be restored, enlightened and sanctified even unto the salvation of my soul, and the inheritance of life everlasting. You are the one true light to those who lie in darkness, and every good deed and every good gift comes from you and to you do we ascribe all glory, together with your Father who is without beginning and your all-holy, good and life creating Spirit, now and forever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(Time for Silent Meditation)
Then say:
Blessed be the name of the Lord, henceforth and forevermore. (3x)
Prayer from the writings of St Gregory Nazianzus:
Blessed be God the Word, who came to his own and his one received him not, for in this way God glorified the Stranger. O God, show us your image in all whom we meet today, that we may welcome them, and you. Amen.
Prayer of the Optina Elders:
Lord, give me the strength to greet the coming day in peace. Help me in all things to rely on Your holy will. Reveal Your will to me every hour of the day. Bless my dealings with all people. Teach me to treat all people who come to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Your will governs all. In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings. In unexpected events, let me not forget that all are sent by you. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me the physical strength to bear the labors of this day. Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray in me.
Sing here a Hymn to your Patron Saint, then say:
Dismissal
Most Holy Theotokos Save us!
More honourable than the Cherumbim and beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim, in virginity you gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify you.
Glory to you, O Jesus Christ, Our God and Our Hope, Glory to you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (3x)
Lord, bless!
O Jesus Christ, Our God, through the prayers of our holy fathers and mothers have mercy upon us. Amen.