Evening Prayers

At the end of the day, stand before the holy icons in reverence and fear of God, and keep silence for a time. Then make the sign of the Cross and say the following prayers. If time is short, it is better to say only a few of the prayers with care, rather than recite them all in haste.

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.

During the Easter period, instead of Heavenly King say:

Christ is risen from the dead, by death trampling on death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life. Christ
is risen from the dead, by death trampling on death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life. Christ is
risen from the dead, by death trampling on death, and on those in the tombs bestowing life.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

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 on 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 from evil.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 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 offence, 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.

Psalm 4

When I called upon you, God of my righteousness, you heard me, in my distress you gave me room. Have compassion on me and hear my prayer. You mortals, how long will you be hard of heart? Why do you love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Know also that the Lord has made wondrous his holy one. The Lord will hear me when I cry to him. Be angry, and sin not; feel compunction in your beds for what you say in your hearts. Offer a sacrifice of righteousness, and hope in the Lord. Many say: who will show us good things?The light of your countenance, Lord, has been signed upon us; you have given gladness to my heart. From the fruit of their wheat, wine and oil are they multiplied. In peace I will lay me down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, have made me dwell in hope.

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 human, 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. 1 acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.

Choose one or more of the following prayers

1. Lord our God, 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.

2. Christ our God, who are worshiped and glorified at all times and every hour, in heaven and on earth; long-suffering, merciful and compassionate, loving the just and merciful to sinners, calling everyone to salvation through the promise of good things to come; receive, Lord, our supplications at this time, and direct our lives according to your commandments. Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our intentions, and deliver us from all affliction, evil and distress. Fortify us with your holy Angels, so that guarded and guided by their forces we may attain to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of your unapproachable glory; for blessed are you to the ages of ages. Amen.

3. Prayer to one’s Guardian Angel
Holy Angel, attendant of my wretched soul and my afflicted life, do not desert me a sinner, nor depart from me because of my weakness. Give no place to the evil demon to rule me by dominating this mortal body. Take my wretched and feeble hand and lead me in the way of salvation. Yes, holy Angel of God, guardian and protector of my wretched soul and body,forgive me for every grief I have caused you all the days of my life, and if I have sinned in anything this day. Protect me during the present night and preserve me from every attack of the enemy, so that I may not anger God through any sin. And intercede for me to the Lord so that he may strengthen me in his fear, and make me a worthy servant of his goodness. Amen.

4. Prayer of St Ephraim Recited in Great Lent, with a prostration after each verse

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.

0 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, and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Scripture Reading

Into your hands, Lord, I commend my soul and body.

Bless me, have mercy on me, and grant me eternal life. Amen.