Orthodox Christian Life

Daily Prayers


"Seven times a day I praise You." — Psalm 119:164

Begin the Day With God

Morning Prayers


Offer these prayers upon rising, before beginning the day's activities, turning your heart to God and asking His blessing on all that follows.

The Trisagion Prayer

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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. (Three 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. (Three 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.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Troparia to the Holy Trinity

Having arisen from sleep, we fall down before thee, O Blessed One, and sing to thee, O Mighty One, the Angelic Hymn: Holy, holy, holy art thou, O God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

From my bed and sleep Thou hast raised me: O Lord, enlighten my mind and my heart, and open my lips that I may praise thee, O Holy Trinity: Holy, holy, holy art thou, O God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Suddenly the Judge shall come, and the deeds of each shall be revealed: but with fear we cry out in the middle of the night: Holy, holy, holy art thou, O God. Through the Theotokos have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)

A Prayer to the Holy Trinity

Arising from sleep I thank thee, O holy Trinity, because of the abundance of thy goodness and long-suffering thou wast not wroth with me, slothful and sinful as I am; neither hast thou destroyed me in my transgressions: but in thy compassion raised me up, as I lay in despair; that at dawn I might sing the glories of thy Majesty.

Do thou now enlighten the eyes of my understanding, open my mouth to receive thy words, teach me thy commandments, help me to do thy will, confessing thee from my heart, singing and praising thine All-holy Name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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 Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very 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 was made man;

And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;

And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures;

And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;

And He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets;

And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the dead. And the Life of the world to come. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Basil the Great

We bless thee, O God most high and Lord of mercies, who ever workest great and mysterious deeds for us, glorious, wonderful, and numberless; who providest us with sleep as a rest from our infirmities and as a repose for our bodies tired by labor. We thank thee that thou hast not destroyed us in our transgressions, but in thy love toward mankind thou hast raised us up, as we lay in despair, that we may glorify thy Majesty.

We entreat thine infinite goodness, enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our minds from the heavy sleep of indolence; open our mouths and fill them with thy praise, that we may unceasingly sing and confess thee, who art God glorified in all and by all, the eternal Father, the Only-Begotten Son, and the all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Macarius the Great

O God, cleanse me, a sinner, for I have never done anything good in Thy sight; but deliver me from the evil one, and may Thy will be in me, that I may open my unworthy mouth without condemnation and praise Thy holy Name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Another Prayer of St. Macarius

Having risen from sleep, I hasten to Thee, O Master, Lover of mankind, and by Thy loving-kindness I strive to do Thy work. I pray Thee: help me at all times and in all things; deliver me from every evil thing of this world and from pursuit of the devil; save me, and lead me into Thine eternal Kingdom.

For Thou art my Creator, the Provider and Giver of every good thing; in Thee is all my hope, and unto Thee I ascribe glory, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

A Morning Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee. O Lord, grant me to meet the coming day in peace. Help me in all things to rely upon Thy holy will. In every hour of the day reveal Thy will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Thy will governs all.

In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events let me not forget that all are sent by Thee. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering or embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray Thou Thyself in me. Amen.

Prayer to the Guardian Angel

O holy Angel, who standest by my wretched soul and my passionate life, forsake me not, a sinner, neither depart from me because of my lack of self-control. Give no place to the evil demon to rule me by violence over this mortal body; strengthen my poor and feeble hand, and guide me in the way of salvation.

Yea, O holy Angel of God, guardian and protector of my wretched soul and body, forgive me everything by which I have offended thee all the days of my life, and if I have sinned during the past night, protect me during this day; guard me from every temptation of the enemy, that I may not anger God by any sin; and pray to the Lord for me, that He may establish me in His fear and show me to be a worthy servant of His goodness. Amen.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos

O most holy Lady Theotokos, through thy holy and all-powerful prayers, drive away from me, thy humble and wretched servant, despondency, forgetfulness, foolishness, carelessness, and all impure, evil, and blasphemous thoughts from my wretched heart and darkened mind.

Extinguish the flame of my passions, for I am poor and wretched. Deliver me from my many cruel memories and deeds, and free me from every evil act; for blessed art thou by all generations, and glorified is thy most honorable name unto ages of ages. Amen.

Morning Intercessions

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father, my parents, relatives, teachers, benefactors, friends, and all Orthodox Christians.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy on the suffering, the sick, the imprisoned, those who travel by land, sea, and air, the poor and needy, and all who ask for Thy help and mercy.

Remember, O Lord, all Orthodox bishops, priests, deacons, monastics, and all who serve Thy holy Church. Preserve them in peace, health, and salvation.

Remember, O Lord, those who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection and eternal life, especially those whom we now call to mind. Grant them rest where the light of Thy countenance shines, and make their memory eternal.

Here you may add your own names and private intercessions.

To the Theotokos

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, for thou hast borne the Savior of our souls.

It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, without corruption thou gavest birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify thee.

Conclusion of the Morning Prayers

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. (Three times)

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

The Sixth Hour

Midday Prayers


A brief pause in the middle of the day to remember the Lord's Passion and ask for His continued guidance and mercy.

The Trisagion Prayer

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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. (Three 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. (Three 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.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Prayer at the Sixth Hour

O Christ our God, who at this hour didst stretch out thy loving arms upon the Cross that all men might be gathered unto thee, help us and save us who cry out unto thee: Glory to thee, O Lord.

Close the Day With Thanksgiving

Evening Prayers


Before resting, offer these prayers with a grateful and penitent heart, commending your soul and body into God's hands through the night.

The Trisagion Prayer

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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. (Three 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. (Three 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.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Troparia of Thanksgiving

Now that the day has come to a close, I thank thee, O Lord, and I ask that the evening with the night may be sinless; grant this to me, O Saviour, and save me.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

Now that the day hath passed, I glorify thee, O Master, and I ask that the evening, with the night may be without offence; grant this to me, O Saviour, and save me.

Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Now that the day hath run its course, I praise thee, O Holy One, and I ask that the evening with the night may be undisturbed; grant this to me, O Saviour, and save me.

Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)

A Prayer for Forgiveness

O Lord our God, if during this day I have sinned, whether in word or deed or thought, forgive me all, for thou art good and lovest mankind. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep, and deliver me from all influence and temptation of the evil one. Raise me up again in proper time that I may glorify thee; for thou art blessed: with thine Only-begotten Son and thine All-holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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 Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very 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 was made man;

And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;

And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures;

And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;

And He shall come again with glory to judge the quick and the dead, Whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets;

And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection of the dead. And the Life of the world to come. Amen.

Evening Prayer

O Christ our God, who at all times and in every hour, in heaven and on earth, art worshipped and glorified; who art long-suffering, merciful and compassionate; who lovest the just and showest mercy upon the sinner; who callest all to salvation through the promise of blessings to come;

O Lord, in this hour receive our supplications, and direct our lives according to thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, hallow our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our minds; deliver us from all tribulation, evil and distress. Encompass us with thy holy Angels, that guided and guarded by them, we may attain to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of thine unapproachable glory, for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.

A Prayer to God the Father

O eternal God and King of all creation, who hast granted me to reach 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 me, O Lord, to pass through the sleep of this night in peace, that rising from my lowly bed I may please Thy most holy Name all the days of my life, and vanquish the enemies, both fleshly and bodiless, that war against me. Deliver me, O Lord, from vain thoughts that defile me and from evil desires; for Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

A Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ

O Almighty Word of the Father, Jesus Christ, who art Thyself perfect: for the sake of Thy great mercy never depart from me, Thy servant, but always abide in me. O Jesus, good Shepherd of Thy sheep, deliver me not to the serpent's rebellion, and leave me not to the will of Satan; for the seed of corruption is in me.

Do Thou, O worshipful Lord God, holy King Jesus Christ, guard me as I sleep by the unfading light, Thy Holy Spirit, by whom Thou didst sanctify Thy disciples. Grant, O Lord, to me, Thy unworthy servant, Thy salvation upon my bed. Enlighten my mind with the light of understanding of Thy holy Gospel, my soul with love for Thy Cross, my heart with the purity of Thy word, my body with Thy passionless Passion. Preserve my thought in Thy humility, and raise me at the proper time for Thy glorification; for Thou art most glorified with Thine unoriginate Father and the Most Holy Spirit unto ages. Amen.

A Prayer to the Holy Spirit

O Lord, Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, show compassion and have mercy on me, Thy sinful servant. Absolve me, unworthy as I am, and forgive all the sins I have committed against Thee today, whether knowingly or unknowingly, whether by word, deed, thought, or by all my senses.

Cleanse me from every defilement of flesh and spirit. Grant me to pass the sleep of this night in peace, that rising from my humble bed I may please Thy most holy Name all the days of my life and overcome the enemies, both fleshly and bodiless, that war against me. Deliver me, O Lord, from vain thoughts that defile me and from evil desires; for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayers of St. John Chrysostom

Lord, deprive me not of Thy heavenly good things.
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 every ignorance, forgetfulness, cowardice, and stony insensibility.
Lord, deliver me from every temptation.
Lord, enlighten my heart, which evil desire has darkened.
Lord, as a man I have sinned; do Thou, as the compassionate God, have mercy on me, seeing the infirmity of my soul.
Lord, send Thy grace to my aid, that I may glorify Thy holy Name.
Lord Jesus Christ, write me, Thy servant, in the book of life, and grant me a good end.
Lord my God, though I have done nothing good in Thy sight, yet grant me by Thy grace to make a good beginning.
Lord, sprinkle into my heart the dew of Thy grace.
Lord of heaven and earth, remember me, Thy sinful servant, shameful and unclean, in Thy Kingdom. Amen.

Lord, accept me in repentance.
Lord, forsake me not.
Lord, lead me not into misfortune.
Lord, grant me good thoughts.
Lord, grant me tears, remembrance of death, and contrition.
Lord, grant me the thought of confessing my sins.
Lord, grant me humility, chastity, and obedience.
Lord, grant me patience, courage, and meekness.
Lord, implant in me the root of good: Thy fear in my heart.
Lord, grant that I may love Thee with all my soul and mind, and in all things do Thy will.
Lord, protect me from evil people, demons, passions, and every other harmful thing.
Lord, Thou knowest what Thou doest; Thy will be done also in me, a sinner, for blessed art Thou unto ages. Amen.

Confession of Sins Before Sleep

I confess to Thee, my Lord God and Creator, one in the Holy Trinity, glorified and worshipped, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, all my sins which I have committed all the days of my life, at every hour, at the present time and in past days and nights, by deed, word, thought, gluttony, drunkenness, secret eating, idle talk, despondency, laziness, contradiction, disobedience, slander, condemnation, negligence, self-love, acquisitiveness, theft, lying, dishonesty, envy, anger, remembrance of wrongs, hatred, and by all my senses: sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch, and by all my other sins, both of soul and body.

With these I have angered Thee, my God and Creator, and wronged my neighbor. I am sorry for them, and I stand guilty before Thee, my God. I desire to repent. Help me, O Lord my God, with tears I humbly pray Thee. Forgive my past sins by Thy mercy, and absolve me from all I have confessed in Thy presence, for Thou art good and lovest mankind. Amen.

Prayer to the Guardian Angel

O Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me everything by which I have offended thee this day. Protect me from all influence and temptation of the evil one, that I may not anger God by any sin; and pray for me, a sinful and unworthy servant, that thou mayest show me worthy of the goodness and mercy of the All-holy Trinity, and of the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ, and of all the saints. Amen.

Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos

O good Mother of the good King, most pure and blessed Theotokos Mary, pour out the mercy of thy Son and our God upon my passionate soul, and by thy prayers guide me toward good works, that I may pass the remaining time of my life without blemish and attain paradise through thee, O Virgin Theotokos, who alone art pure and blessed.

Evening Intercessions

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, remember Thy servants who are living, especially my spiritual father, my family, my parish, my friends, my benefactors, and all Orthodox Christians. Grant them health, salvation, peace, and the forgiveness of sins.

Remember, O Lord, Thy servants who have departed this life in the hope of resurrection and eternal life. Grant them rest in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place where all sickness, sorrow, and sighing have fled away.

Here you may add the names of the living and the departed.

As You Lie Down to Sleep

Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my soul and my body. Do thou thyself bless me, have mercy upon me, and grant me life eternal. Amen.

Prayer texts follow traditional Orthodox prayer book forms, with the shorter daily rule adapted from St. Nicholas Orthodox Church (Springdale, AR).

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