Night Prayers

When you are about to retire, make the sign of the cross on yourself and over your bed and stand for several moments in silence and stillness. When you have attained tranquility, begin:
By the prayers of these holy communities, O Lord, Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us, amen.

And immediately:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.

[A priest adds:
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: now and forever, and unto ages of ages,] amen.

Then, these troparia:
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us: Since there is no excuse for our behavior, in our sinfulness we can only offer you this prayer, O master: Have mercy on us.

Glory:

O Lord, have mercy on us, for we have placed our trust in you. Do not be angry with us nor mindful of our wickedness, but in your tender loving kindness, look on us once more and deliver us from our enemies, for you are our God and we are your people, all the work of your own hands, and it is your name that we constantly invoke.

Both now:

Open to us the portals of your motherly concern, O blessed Theotokos, so that by trusting in your help that never fails, we may find deliverance through you from every adversity, for you are the salvation of the christian people.

Then, this prayer:
O eternal God and sovereign ruler of all that is! You have given me the grace of living another day and of singing your praises as another night is about to descend on us. Forgive me the sins I have committed in thought or word or deed throughout the day that has passed, purify my humble soul of every stain of flesh or spirit, and enable to sleep peacefully throughout this night. Then, rising from my humble bed, let me do everything in a manner that will please your most holy name, tomorrow and every day of my life. Deliver me, Lord, from all evil, whether of body or soul, and from useless and foolish thoughts, and enable me to be victorious over every temptation.

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: now and forever, and unto ages of ages, amen.

And this one, to the Theotokos:
O gracious mother of our most compassionate and gentle saviour, O most pure Theotokos, Mary most blessed: Bathe my suffering soul in the plentiful mercies of your Son, and, by your intercessions, set me firmly on the path of virtue, that, throughout the rest of my days, I may walk before God without stain or condemnation and, thanks to your good prayers, attain the kingdom on high, O virgin Theotokos, O only pure and blessed Lady.

Then:
I place all my trust in you, O mother of God; place the veil of your motherly protection over me, your humble and unworthy servant.

O virgin Theotokos, do not disdain me for all my sins, for I need your help and intercession. I put all my trust in you, O mother of God: Have mercy on me.

O all-glorious and ever-virgin mother of Christ, our God: Take our prayers to your divine Son, that, for your sake, he will save our souls.

And:
The Father is my hope; the Son is my refuge; the Holy Spirit is my protector: All-holy Trinity, glory to you!

Then, pray the following intercessions:
Encircle me, Lord, with the power of your precious and life-giving cross and protect me from all evil. Into your hands, Lord Jesus, I commend myself: Bless me, have mercy on me, and grant me eternal life, amen.

Lord Jesus, be mindful of your holy church throughout the world, for you paid for her with your own most precious blood. Confirm her and strengthen her, and lead everyone to her bosom. Fill her with peace and never let her fail before the powers of darkness.

Be mindful of our fathers, the bishops of the whole world; remember all the clergy, monks and nuns everywhere, and all your people. Be mindful especially of my brothers and sisters here, and of all our relatives and friends, living and departed.

Finally, remember all mankind: The young and the old, the poor and oppressed, the weak and the sick, and all those who carry responsibility of any kind. Remember our superiors and especially my spiritual father. In your love for us, grant us wisdom and understanding and all the strength we need to live in a way that pleases you.

By the prayers of these holy communities, O Lord, Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us, amen.

Before you fall off to sleep, be grateful to almighty God for the day he has given you, a gift of inestimable value, for your health, and for the fellowship of your brothers and sisters. Examine your conscience, reflecting on your behavior from the moment you awoke to this very moment, as you are about to fall off to sleep: How you went about your work, what you said or failed to say, what you did and did not do. And ponder this: The good you accomplished comes from the Lord and from the help of your brothers and sisters; the rest alone is yours. Develop within yourself, even as you lie in bed, a frame of mind that becomes the monastic, an attitude of mind and heart that becomes one who is searching for God. Concern yourself with true repentance and perseverance in every good work. Ponder the meaning of your dedication and how to pursue it in all your waking moments. Then, in peace, fall off to sleep.