Morning Prayer
Upon awakening, stand before the holy icons, make the sign of the cross, and pray:
O God, be merciful to me a sinner.
O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.
O Lord, forgive me; for I have sinned without number.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to You, our God, Glory to You.
O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth,
You are everywhere present and fill all things.
Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,
have mercy on us. (3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us;
O Lord, cleanse us of our sins;
O Master, forgive our transgressions;
O Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for Your Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the 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. Amen.
Lord, have mercy (12 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Psalm 94:6 Call to Worship
Come, let us adore the King, our God. Come, let us adore Christ, the King and our God. Come, let us adore and bow down to the only Lord Jesus Christ, the King and our God.
Psalm 50 Prayer of Repentance
Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out my offense. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.
My offenses truly I know them; my sin is always before me. Against you, you alone, have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done.
That you may be justified when you give sentence and be without reproach when you judge. A sinner was I conceived.
Indeed you love truth in the heart; then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom. O purify me, then I shall be clean; O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear rejoicing and gladness, that the bones you have crushed may thrill. From my sins turn away your face and blot out all my guilt.
A pure heart create for me, O God, put a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from your presence, nor deprive me of your holy spirit.
Give me again the joy of your help; with a spirit of fervor sustain me, that I may teach transgressors your ways and sinners may return to you.
O rescue me, God, my helper, and my tongue shall ring out your goodness. O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare your praise.
For in sacrifice you take no delight, burnt offering from me you would refuse, My sacrifice, a contrite spirit. A humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.
In your goodness, show favor to Zion: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice, burnt offerings wholly consumed, then you will be offered young bulls on your altar.
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. (150 times)
It is truly proper to glorify you, who have borne God, the Ever-blessed, Immaculate, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who, a virgin, gave birth to God the Word, you, truly the Mother of God, we magnify.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Notes
This brief Morning Prayer is based upon the prayer rule for a layman, which is a simplified version of the cell rule of a monastic. Its beauty is in its simplicity. It can easily be memorized and prayed over an entire lifetime.
During Pascha the Troparion “Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down Death by death and to those in the tombs bestowing life.” is prayed three times in the beginning, and “It is truly proper” is replaced with “The angel exclaimed to her, full of grace: ‘Rejoice, O Pure Virgin, again I say “Rejoice!” Your Son is risen from the grave on the third day and has raised all the dead. Let all nations rejoice.’ Shine in splendor, O new Jerusalem; for the glory of the Lord is risen upon you, O Sion. Dance with joy and rejoice. And you, pure Mother of God, rejoice in the resurrection of your Son.”
During the Holy Forty Days Fast and on other appointed days the Prayer of St. Ephrem is prayed with prostrations at the end of this rule of prayer just before the dismissal “Through the prayers....”
O Lord and Master of my life, keep from me the spirit of indifference and discouragement, lust of power, and idle chatter. (Prostration)
Instead, grant to me, your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being, humble-mindedness, patience, and love. (Prostration)
O Lord and King, grant me the grace to be aware of my sins and not to judge my brother; for You are blessed, now and ever and forever. Amen. (Prostration)
All rules of prayer should be undertaken with the blessing of one’s spiritual father or mother.