There is a daily cycle of prayers that has been appointed to God’s people since the days of the Old Covenant. It is proper and right to pray in the morning when we wake up, before (and ideally after) every meal, at sunset (end of the day) and before going to sleep. In the book of Acts, we read that the Apostles continued going up to the Temple for the prayers as long as they were allowed.
If possible, we should go to church for communal prayers at sunset (Vespers).
Here is a suggested “rule of prayers” for the evening:
Trisagion prayer
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth,
present everywhere and filling all things,
the treasury of good and giver of life,
come and dwell in us
and cleanse us from every impurity, and
save our souls, Gracious One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy upon us. [3 times]Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit;
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us.
Lord, be merciful to our sins.
Master, forgive our transgressions.
Holy One, visit us and heal our infirmities, for Your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord have mercy.Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit;
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
Your Kingdom come,
Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread
and forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us [the] from evil [one].
For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
the evening prayer
The day has passed, and I give You thanks, Lord;
make the evening and the night free of sin, I ask You, Saviour, and save me.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit;
The day has ended, and I give You glory, Master,
make the evening and the night free of offense, I ask You, Saviour, and save me.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The day is over, and I give You praise, Holy One;
make the evening and the night free of evil designs, I ask You, Saviour, and save me.
Lord, have mercy… (12 times)
Let my prayer come before You as incense,
the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice;
Lord hear me.
Intentions
We can express our personal prayers and intentions here
Psalm 4
Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have relieved me in my distress;
Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
How long, O you sons of men,
Will you turn my glory to shame?
How long will you love worthlessness
And seek falsehood? Selah
But know that the LORD has set apart for Himself him who is godly;
The LORD will hear when I call to Him.
Be angry, and do not sin.
Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still. Selah
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness,
And put your trust in the LORD.
There are many who say,
“Who will show us any good?”
LORD, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
You have put gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit;
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
The Creed
I believe in one God, 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 from light,
true God from true God,
begotten not made,
of one essence with the Father,
through him all things were made.
Who for us 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 rose on the third day according to the Scriptures,
and ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father,
who together with the Father and the Son,
is worshipped and glorified,
and who spoke through the Prophets.
In One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I expect the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the age to come. Amen.
Prayer
Lord our God,
if I have sinned this day in word, deed or thought,
forgive me all, as the good and loving God You are.
Grant me peaceful and untroubled sleep,
and deliver me from every attack and design of the evil one.
Raise me in due time to give You glory;
for blessed are You, with Your only-begotten Son and all-holy Spirit,
now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Evening Hymn about Jesus Christ
O joyful light of the divine glory of the Immortal,
heavenly, holy and blessed Father,
Jesus Christ.
Having come to the setting of the sun,
having seen the evening light,
we praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit, God.
Right it is that You be praised at all times with fitting voices,
Son of God, giver of life,
therefore the whole world gives You glory.
Grant, Lord, that we may be kept this night without sin.
Blessed are You, Lord God of our Fathers,
and praised and glorified is Your name for ever. Amen.
May Your mercy be upon us, Lord,
just as we have hoped in You.
Blessed are You, Lord,
teach me Your judgements.
Blessed are You, Master,
give me understanding of Your judgements.
Blessed are You, Holy One,
enlighten me with Your judgements.
Lord, Your mercy endures for ever,
do not disregard the works of Your hands.
To You is due praise,
to You is due song,
glory is due to You.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer of St. Ephraim
Lord and Master of my life.
give me not a spirit of idleness, meddling, love of power and idle talk.
But grant me, your servant,
a spirit of soberness, humility, patience and love.
Yes, Lord and King,
grant me to see my own faults, and not condemn my brother;
for blessed are You, to the ages of ages. Amen
Into Your hands, Lord, I commend my soul and body.
Bless me, have mercy on me, and grant me eternal life. Amen.
(You may also choose a few of these, but the Creed and the Trisagion Prayer are the most important.)
