Evening Prayers (Prayers Before Sleep) — an essential spiritual practice for Orthodox Christians. These prayers help us offer repentance for faults committed during the day, thank Almighty God for His providential care, and ask for peaceful rest under divine protection.
Introductory Prayers
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere and fillest all things, Treasury of blessings 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. (Three times).
Glory to the Father… now and ever… Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us… Our Father…
Penitential Troparia
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for, lacking all defense, we sinners offer this petition unto Thee as Master: have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: Lord, have mercy on us; for in Thee have we put our trust. Be not exceedingly wrathful with us, nor remember our iniquities, but look down upon us now, as Compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies; for Thou art our God, and we are Thy people, all the work of Thy hands, and we call upon Thy name.
Now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen: Open unto us the door of compassionate love, O blessed Theotokos, that hoping in thee we may not perish, but be delivered by thee from adversities; for thou art the salvation of the Christian race.
First Prayer: Saint Macarius the Great, to God the Father
O Eternal God and King of all creation, Who hast granted me to arrive even unto this hour: forgive me the sins which I have committed this day in deed, word, and thought; and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from all pollution of flesh and spirit. And grant me, O Lord, to pass through the sleep of this night in peace, that rising from my bed I may please Thy holy Name all the days of my life and overcome the enemies, both carnal and bodiless, that contend against me. And 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.
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos
O Good Mother of the Good King, most pure and blessed Theotokos Mary, pour forth the mercy of thy Son and our God upon my impassioned soul, and by thy supplications guide me unto good works, that I may pass the remaining time of my life without blemish, and through thee find Paradise, O Virgin Theotokos, who alone art pure and blessed.
📄 Download Printable PDF Prayer Book
You can download this dedicated Orthodox prayer rule in printable PDF format:
📱 Mobile App: «Pray: Jesus Prayer & Orthodox Prayer Book»
End your day in peace and gratitude: read evening prayers in the dark mode of Pray app with no eye strain.
- Digital Prayer Rope (Chotki): Haptic feedback prayer counter with heart attention guide.
- Breath Synchronization: In accordance with the holy hesychastic tradition.
- Complete Offline Prayer Book: Liturgical prayers and readings without internet.
- Daily Orthodox Calendar: Saints, Troparia, and Epistle & Gospel readings.
The mobile app prayer rope feature is incredible for cultivating the Jesus Prayer throughout a busy day.
Thank you for making the PDF printable. I use this every morning in my icon corner.