Having risen from bed and washed your face, stand silently before the holy icons. Turn your thoughts towards the invisible God. Then, without haste, begin the morning prayers.
PRAYER OF THE PUBLICAN
†God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
†God cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.
†I have sinned without number, forgive me, O Lord.
THE USUAL BEGINNING
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord, Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
†Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.
Heavenly Kіng, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, Who are everywhere present аnd fill all things, Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of Life, come аnd dwell within us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, аnd, О Good Оnе, save our souls.
†Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3x)
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Trinity most holy, have mercy on us. Cleanse us of our sins, O Lord; pardon our transgressions, O Master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them, O Holy One; for the sake of Your Name.
Lord, have mercy. (3x)
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. 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. Amen.
MORNING TROPARIA
As we rise from sleep, we worship You, O good and powerful Lord, and to You we sing the angels’ hymn: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O God; through the intercession of all Your heavenly hosts, have mercy on us.
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
Having raised me from sleep, O Lord, enlighten my mind and heart and open my lips that I may praise You, O Most Holy Trinity: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O God through the prayers of all Your saints, have mercy on us.
Now and for ever and ever. Amen.
Suddenly, the Judge will come, and the deeds of each will be laid bare; so let us cry with fear before the day begins: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O God, through the prayers of the Mother of God, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy. (12x)
PRAYER TO THE MOST HOLY TRINITY BY ST. BASIL THE GREAT
As I rise from sleep, I thank You, O Most Holy Trinity, for Your great goodness and enduring patience with me, an idler and a sinner. You have not become indignant towards me, nor have You allowed me to die in my sins. Instead, You have shown me the love that You have for all mankind. You have raised me from sleep, that I may greet this new day in prayer and glorify Your sovereign power.
And now, enlighten the eyes of my understanding, open my ears to receive Your words, and teach me Your commandments. Help me to do Your will, to sing to You, to profess You from my heart, and to praise Your all-holy name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
† Come, let us bow in worship before our King and God.
† Come, let us bow in worship before Christ, our King and God.
† Come, let us bow in worship and fall down before the very Lord, Jesus Christ, our King and God.
Recite one, several, or all of the following prayers. Always end with the Prayers to the Guardian Angel, the Mother of God, and the Concluding prayers.
FIRST PRAYER
St. Macarius the Great
O God, cleanse me, a sinner, for I have done nothing good in Your sight. Deliver me from the evil one. Let Your will be accomplished in me. Open my unworthy lips to praise Your most holy name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
SECOND PRAYER
St. Macarius the Great
Awakening from sleep, I offer to You, O Saviour, my morning praise. Falling before You I cry: Do not let me die in my sins. Be gracious to me, O Lord, crucified of Your own free will. Hasten to raise me up and save me as I stand before You in prayer. After the sleep of this night, O Christ God, shine forth a sinless day upon me and save me.
THIRD PRAYER
St. Macarius the Great
Awakening from sleep, I turn to You, O Master, for You love mankind, and I strive to accomplish Your work. Help me, I pray You, at all times and in all things. Deliver me from the evil of this world and from the works of the devil. Save me, and lead me to Your eternal kingdom. You are my Creator, Protector, and Provider of all good things. All my hope is in You, and I glorify You, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
FOURTH PRAYER
St. Macarius the Great
O Lord, in Your great goodness and abundant compassion, You have granted me, Your servant, to sleep safely this night, uninjured by the evil of the enemy. Grant also, O Master and Creator of all, that by Your true Light and with an enlightened heart, I may accomplish Your will, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
FIFTH PRAYER
St. Macarius the Great
O Lord, Almighty God, Who accepts the thrice-holy hymn from the heavenly hosts, accept also from me, Your unworthy servant, the heavenly song: Holy! Holy! Holy! Grant that in every year and hour of my life I may glorify You, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit now and for ever and ever. Amen.
SIXTH PRAYER
St. Basil the Great
Almighty Lord, You are the God of angelic hosts and of all humanity. You dwell in the heights and care for the humble on earth. You search the hearts and depths of all and truly know our hidden thoughts! You are the Light without beginning, in Whom there is no variation, not even a shadow of change. Accept our prayers, which we offer to You from unclean lips, O immortal King. Free us from the sins we have committed in deed, word, or thought, knowingly or unknowingly. Cleanse us from all stains of flesh and spirit. Grant us to pass the night of this present life with a watchful heart and a sober mind, in expectation of that bright day of revelation when Your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God, and Saviour, Jesus Christ, will come again in glory. He will judge and reward each according to his deeds. May we not be found idle or sleeping, but watchful, alert and prepared to enter the joy and glory of the divine banquet, where the voice of those who feast is unceasing, and the delight of those who behold the inexpressible beauty of Your face has no bounds. For You are the true Light, Who enlightens and sanctifies all, and all creation glorifies You for ever and ever. Amen.
SEVENTH PRAYER
St. Basil the Great
We bless You, O Most High God and Lord of mercy, for You continually work in us such great and awesome things, which are immeasurable and indescribable. You have granted us sleep to restore our body and soul. We thank You for not abandoning us in our transgressions. Your love for mankind has lifted us up, so that we may glorify Your power. Therefore, we implore You in Your infinite goodness to enlighten our thoughts and open the eyes of our understanding. Raise our minds from the heavy sleep of negligence. Fill our mouths with Your praise, so that we may faithfully sing, cry out, and ever proclaim You as God, glorified in all and by all; the Father Without beginning, together with Your only-begotten Son and Your most holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen.
EIGHTH PRAYER
Of John Chrysostom, corresponding to the 24 hours of the day
Lord, do not deprive me of Your heavenly blessings.
Lord, deliver me from eternal torments.
Lord, if I have sinned in mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me.
Lord, deliver me from all ignorance, forgetfulness, cowardice, and hardness of heart. Lord, deliver me from all temptations.
Lord, enlighten my heart, which has been darkened by lust.
Lord, I, being mortal, have sinned; look upon my feeble soul, for You are a God of compassion, and have mercy on me.
Lord, send Your mercy to help me so that I may extol Your glorious name.
Lord, Jesus Christ, inscribe me, Your servant, in the Book of Life, and grant that the end of my life may be peaceful.
Lord, though I have done nothing good in Your sight, grant that through Your grace I may now make a new beginning.
Lord, shower the dew of Your grace upon my heart.
Lord of heaven and earth, remember me, Your sinful servant, cold and impure of heart, in Your kingdom. Amen.
Lord, accept me in penitence.
Lord, do not leave me.
Lord, do not lead me into temptation. Lord, grant me good thoughts.
Lord, grant me tears of repentance, remembrance of death, and humility.
Lord, grant me mindfulness to confess all my sins.
Lord, grant me humility, chastity, and obedience.
Lord, grant me patience, courage, and meekness.
Lord, implant in me the root of all good—the fear of You in my heart.
Lord, grant that I may love You with all my heart, my mind and soul and that I may do Your will in all things. Lord, deliver me from those who are evil, from demons, from bodily passions and from unholy deeds.
I know, O Lord, that You act according to Your will; may Your will also be in me, a sinner, for You are blessed for ever and ever. Amen.
PRAYER TO MY GUARDIAN ANGEL
O holy angel, you who stand by my despondent soul and passionate life: do not abandon me, because of my intemperance. Leave no room for the evil one to gain control of me through violence towards my mortal body. Strengthen my weak and feeble hands, and guide me in the way of salvation.
O holy angel of God, the guardian and protector of my wretched soul and body, forgive all the sorrows I have caused you, every day of my life. If I have sinned during this past night, protect me during this day. Keep me from every temptation, that I may not anger God by any sin. Pray to the Lord for me, that He may establish me in His fear and make me His servant, worthy of His goodness. Amen.
PRAYER TO THE MOTHER OF GOD
O most gracious Queen, my hope, Mother of God, you receive the poor and help the travellers. You are the joy of those who are in sorrow, and the refuge for the oppressed. Look upon my affliction and see my needs. Help me as you would one in despair. Feed me as you would a stranger. You know all my troubles, acquit them according to your will, for I have no other help but you, other ready recourse or comfort but you, Mother of God. Help me and protect me for all ages. Amen.
PRAYER FOR THE GREAT FAST
The Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian is recited during the Great Fast, before the concluding prayers, with prostrations.
O Lord and Master of my life, drive from me the spirit of indifference, despair, lust for power and idle chatter. †Prostration.
Instead, bestow on me, Your servant, the spirit of integrity, humility, patience, and love. †Prostration.
Yes, O Lord and King, let me see my own sins and not judge my brothers and sisters; for You are blessed for ever and ever. Amen. †Prostration.
THE CONCLUDING PRAYERS
It is truly right to bless you, O God-bearing One, as the ever-blessed and immaculate Mother of our God. More honourable than the cherubim and by far more glorious than the seraphim; ever a virgin, you gave birth to the God the Word, O true Mother of God, we magnify you.
†Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (3x)
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord, Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.