In this post, I'll share my evening prayer routine, especially for fasting days, which I follow as often as possible. I developed this routine using my "Orthodox Christian Prayers" prayer book by Hieromonk Herman and Priest John Mikitish, which I truly believe is the best prayer book out there. I've created a realistic prayer routine for non-fasting days and a more comprehensive one for fasting days.
🌅 Evening Prayers for Orthodox Christians
I particularly love the prayers that are part of the evening prayers, especially those to the Holy Spirit. These evening prayers for Orthodox offer an opportunity to seek forgiveness from God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. They also allow me to ask for intercession from our Lady Theotokos, my Guardian Angel, and all the Saints.
I usually reflect on my day and repent for my sins as I go through these prayers. On fasting days, if I miss my morning routine or feel like spending more time in prayer, I add extra prayers to my basic routine. I usually do these prayers in our prayer corner before going to bed, but if I'm really tired, I do them in bed.
Here's my evening prayer routine, which I follow as often as possible:
1. Beginning with Reverence
I stand reverently in front of the icons of the Christ and the Virgin Mary (or I do my evening prayer routine in bed with my Icons when I am too tired) and I imagine myself to be in the presence of God. Then, after making the sign of the Cross, I Say:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2. Glory and Invocation
Next, I say:
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Followed by:
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of blessing and Giver of life: Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
3. Trisagion Prayers
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Repeat 3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Repeat 3 times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
4. The Lord's Prayer
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.
5. Troparia
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for laying aside all excuse, we sinners offer to Thee, as to our Master, this supplication: Have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
O Lord, have mercy on us, for in Thee have we put our trust. Do not be angry with us, nor remember our iniquities, but look down on us even now, since Thou art compassionate, and deliver us from our enemies. For Thou art our God, and we are Thy people; we are all the work of Thy hands, and we call on Thy name.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O blessed Theotokos, open the doors of compassion to us whose hope is in thee, that we may not perish but be delivered from adversity through thee, who are the salvation of the Christian people.
Lord, have mercy. (say it 12 times)
First Prayer, to God the Father
O Eternal God and King of all Creation, Who hast granted me to reach this hour: forgive the sins I have committed this day in deed, word and thought. Cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from every defilement of flesh and spirit.Grant, Lord, that I may pass through this night in peace. When I rise from my humble bed may I please Thy most Holy Name all the days of my life and trample under foot the physical and bodiless enemies both that wage war against me. Deliver me, Lord, from vain thoughts that defile me and from evil lusts. 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.
Second Prayer, to our Lord Jesus Christ
Almighty Word of the Father, Jesus Christ, Who art perfect: never abandon me, Thy servant, for Thy great mercy's sake, but ever abide in me. O Jesus, Good Shepherd of Thy sheep, do not deliver me to the serpent's rebellion! Do not abandon me to Satan's will, for the seed of corruption is within me! Instead, O Lord God the Adored, Holy King Jesus Christ, keep me while I sleep by Thy unwavering Light, Thy Holy Spirit by Whom Thou didst sanctify Thy disciples. O Lord, grant to me, Thine unworthy servant, salvation on my bed. Enlighten my mind with the light of understanding Thy Holy Gospel; my soul with the love of Thy Cross; my heart with the purity of Thy Word; my body with Thy passionless Passion. Keep my thoughts with Thy humility and raise me at the right time to glorify Thee. For Thou art most glorified, with Thy Father who is without beginning, and Thy most Holy Spirit, forever. Amen.
Third Prayer, to the Most Holy Spirit
O Lord, the Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth: have compassion and mercy on me, Thy sinful servant! Absolve me, who am unworthy. Forgive all the sins I have committed this day both in my humanity and my inhumanity, behaving worse than beasts in sins voluntary and involuntary, known and unknown, from my youth, from evil suggestions, haste and despondency. If I have sworn by Thy name or blasphemed it in thought; if I have reproached anyone or become angered by something; or slandered or saddened anyone in my anger; or have lied, or slept unnecessarily; or a beggar has come to me and I have despised him; or have saddened my brother or quarreled with him; or have judged someone; or have allowed myself to become haughty, proud or angry; or, when standing in prayer, my mind has been shaken by the wickedness of this world; or have entertained depraved thoughts; or have overeaten, over-drunk or laughed mindlessly; or have had evil thoughts or seen the beauty of someone and been wounded by it in my heart; or have spoken inappropriately; or have laughed at my brother's sins when my own transgressions are countless; or have been indifferent to prayer; or have done any other evil that I can not remember – for I have done all this and more: have mercy, O Master, my Creator, on me, Thy despondent and unworthy servant! Absolve, remit and forgive me, in Thy goodness and love for mankind that I, who am prodigal, sinful and wretched, may lie down in peace and find sleep and rest. May I worship, hymn and praise Thy most honorable name, with the Father and His only-begotten Son, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
These prayers set a peaceful and reflective tone for the night, helping me seek God's guidance and mercy. They remind me of His presence and prepare me for the night according to His will.
Prayer Books we Use:
Book: Orthodox Christian Prayers [Prayer Book]
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Book: The Little Red Prayer Book
Buy Now →🙏 Additional Evening Prayers on Fasting Days
Fasting days require an extra layer of spiritual discipline. On these days, my prayers help deepen my repentance and draw me closer to God. Here are the specific evening prayers for Orthodox, which I use on fasting days.
8th Prayer, to Our Lord Jesus Christ
O Lord Jesus Christ the Son of God, for the sake of Thy most honorable Mother, Thy bodiless Angels, Thy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, the Divinely inspired Apostles, the Bright and victorious Martyrs, the venerable and God-bearing Fathers and all the Saints: deliver me from this present assault of the devil. Yea, O Lord my Creator, Who desirest not the death of the sinner, but that he should return to Thee and live: grant repentance to me, wretched and unworthy. Snatch me from the jaws of the consuming serpent, its mouth opened to devour me and take me down to hell alive. Yea, my Lord and my Comfort, Who didst puton corruptible flesh for my wretched sake: deliver me from wretchedness and bring comfort to my wretched soul.Implant in my heart the accomplishment of Thy precepts, the abandonment of evil deeds and the obtainment of Thy blessings. In Thee, O Lord, have I trusted: save me!
9th Prayer, to the Most Holy Theotokos
Before thee, the Most Pure Mother of God, I who am wretched fall down and pray: thou knowest, O Queen that I sin constantly and anger thy Son and my God. No matter how often I repent, I appear a liar before God, and repent with trembling. Can God shake me and I do those same things again an hour later? Knowing this, my Mistress, O Lady Theotokos, I pray: have mercy on me, strengthen me and grant that I may do good. Thou knowest, my Lady Theotokos, that I abhor my evil deeds and love the Law of my God with all my mind. But, most pure Lady, I do not know how I can love what I abhor and turn away from what is good. Do not allow my will to be done, Most Pure One, for it is not appropriate. May the will of thy Son and myGod be done. May He save and enlighten me, and give me the Grace of His Holy Spirit, in order that I might stop sinning from this time on and live the remainder of my life in obedience to thy Son, to Whom belongeth all glory, honor and majesty, with His Father Who is without beginning, and His Most Holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
10th Prayer, to the Most Holy Theotokos
O Good Mother of the Good King, most pure and blessedMary, the Theotokos: pour out the mercy of thy Son and our God on my passionate soul. Direct me towards many good deeds through thy prayers, that I may pass through the remainder of my life without stain, and find Paradise through thee, O Virgin Theotokos who alone art pure and blessed.
11th Prayer, to the Guardian Angel
Angel of Christ, my holy guardian, the protector of my soul and body: forgive me for all the sins I have committed this day. Deliver me from all the evil of my militant Enemy, thatI may not anger my God by any sin. Pray for me, thy sinful and unworthy servant, that thou mayest show me worthy of the goodness and mercy of the All-Holy Trinity, the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ and all the Saints. Amen.
Kontakion to the Theotokos
O Victorious leader of triumphant hosts! We thy servants delivered from evil, sing our grateful thanks to thee, O Theotokos! As thou dost possess invincible might, set us free from every calamity so that we may sing: Rejoice, O unwedded Bride!
Most glorious ever-Virgin, Mother of Christ our God, bear our prayer to thy Son and our God, that through thee He may save our souls!
All my hope I place in thee, O Mother of God: keep me under thy protection!
Virgin Theotokos, do not despise me a sinner who crave thy help and intercession. My soul hoped in thee, have mercy on me!
Prayer of Saint Ephraim
Oh, Lord and Master of my life, give me not a spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. (prostration)
But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to thy servant. (prostration)
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother. For you are blessed, unto ages of ages. Amen. (prostration)
O god, cleanse me a sinner. (12 times)
Then the entire Prayer of St. Ephraim is repeated with a single prostration at its conclusion.
Then conclude your prayers
It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim, without corruption thou gavest birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify thee. (prostration)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! (thrice)
Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, of my holy guardian angel, of (your Patron Saint), of (your family Saint or the saint of the day), and of all the saints: save me a sinner. Amen.
⏰ When I Am Too Tired
Life can get hectic, and sometimes I'm truly exhausted by the end of the day. Just like most parents, I often have to get up early to prepare for the day (that includes writing my blog posts), work a full-time job, come home to cook with my wife, clean up after dinner, help the kids with their homework, and handle countless other tasks... While I manage to keep up with my routine most days, especially when I do my evening prayers right before I sit on my bed (because I fall asleep almost instantly when my head touches the pillow), there are times when I'm just too tired and can barely keep my eyes open by bedtime.
On those nights, I stick to the basics, following the advice in the Didache, an early Christian text that emphasizes the importance of the Lord's Prayer. This simple practice helps me maintain my connection with God, even on the busiest or most exhausting evenings.
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.
Even when I'm exhausted, saying the Lord's Prayer helps me center my evening on faith. This practice serves as a constant reminder of God's presence and guidance, allowing me to navigate the challenges of daily life with grace and trust in His divine plan. Prioritizing this essential prayer ensures that my spiritual foundation remains strong, even when life gets overwhelming.
📜 Final Takeaway
It took me some time to create and consistently implement my evening prayer routine, but it's become something I truly cherish, especially during fasting days. The prayers I've chosen are deeply meaningful to me, allowing me to reflect on my day, repent for my sins, and seek forgiveness from God, our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. I also turn to the Theotokos and my patron saint for their intercession. This routine is a very personal selection of prayers that resonate with my spiritual journey and where I am in my walk with Christ.
There are times when I adjust my routine, adding specific prayers that align with what I’m praying for at that moment. However, I generally try to stick to this structure because it grounds me and keeps my focus where it needs to be. Yet, like everyone, life sometimes gets in the way of even the best intentions. On those nights when I’m too tired to go through the full routine, I turn to the Didache for guidance and always make sure to carve out time for at least the Lord’s Prayer. This simple act keeps me connected to my faith, even when the day has drained me.
For those of you still working on establishing your own prayer routine, I hope you find inspiration in what I've shared here. However, I encourage you to connect with your spiritual advisor at your local church to create a prayer routine that is tailored specifically to you and your circumstances. Prayer is a deeply personal practice, and having guidance from your spiritual advisor can help you develop a routine that is both meaningful and sustainable for your spiritual growth. Remember, it’s about finding what works best for you and ensuring that your prayers are a true reflection of your heart and faith journey.
Lynell Klarberg
Viết của bạn mang lại một năng lượng tích cực, khiến độc giả cảm thấy lạc quan.
Thierry
Hi there,
Thank you so much for your uplifting comment! I'm really glad to hear that the "Orthodox Evening Prayers for Fasting Days" post brought some positive energy your way. It’s always my goal to inspire and encourage, so knowing it resonated with you means a lot. If you ever have any questions or need more resources, feel free to reach out. Thanks again for your kind words!
Best,
Thierry