Evening Prayers For A Meaningful Way To Begin Your Night

Keith KettenringAncient Paths, Prayer & Fasting, The Uncommon Journey

A couple weeks ago, I posted some morning liturgical prayers in response to a fellow-journeyer’s desire for some practical ways to pray more effectively. As a result, many have benefitted from using these prayers in the morning. This makes me very happy!! A few days ago, another fellow-journeyer, who began using the morning prayers regularly, asked if I could send him some evening prayers as well. Love it!!

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Merely saying words will not deepen your communion with God. Yet, these words can express your heart when they come from your heart. So, here goes.

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Begin: 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things. Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and abide in us, cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One. 

The Trisagion Prayers:

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3x)

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. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your name’s sake. 

Lord, have mercy. (3x) 

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Our Father in heaven, hallowed by Your name. Your kingdom come; Your 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 temptations, but deliver us from the evil one. 

Lord, have mercy. (12x)

Come, let us worship God our King.

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.

Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God.

Choose one of the following two prayers: 

(Early Evening Prayer) 

As I come to the end of the day, I thank You, O Lord, and I ask that the evening and the night may be free of sin. Grant me this, O Savior, and save me. 

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. 

As I reach the end of the day, I glorify You, O Master, and I ask that the evening and the night may be free of offense. Grant me this, O Savior, and save me. 

Both now and ever, and to the end of the ages. Amen.

As I pass to the end of the day, I praise you, O Holy One, and I ask that the evening and the night may be free of temptation. Grant me this O Savior, and save me. 

(Late Evening Prayer) 

O Lord our God, if I have sinned in anything this day, in word, or deed, or thought, forgive me all, for You are good, and You love mankind. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep, and deliver me from the assault and attack of the evil one. Rouse me at the proper time to glorify You, for blessed are You, together with Your Only-begotten Son and Your All-holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

Scriptural Prayers 

Then, read one of the following Psalms: Psalm 104, Psalm 1, or Psalm 141, ending with: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen. 

A Prayer for Every Hour

At every time and at every hour in heaven and on earth You are worshipped and glorified, O Christ our God, You who are longsuffering, most merciful, most compassionate, who love the just and are merciful to sinners, who call all to salvation through the promise of the good things to come. Accept, O Lord, our entreaties at this hour, and guide our lives that we may keep your commandments. Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our ideas, and deliver us from all distress, evil, and pain. Surround us with your holy angels that, protected and guided by their host, we may attain unity of faith and the knowledge of Your unapproachable glory. For blessed are You forever and ever. Amen. 

Prayer Before Sleep

O Lord who fashioned me, You know well that my invisible enemies do not sleep, and you know the weakness of my miserable flesh, and so into Your hands I commend my spirit. Shelter me with the wings of Your goodness, that I may not sleep unto death. Enlighten the eyes of my mind with the delight of Your divine words, and rouse me at the proper time to give You glory, for You alone are good, and You love mankind.

I shall be sheltered under the shadow of Your wings, and I shall sleep, for You alone, O Lord, have made me dwell in hope. 

Into Your hands, O Lord, I entrust my soul and body. Bless me and have mercy on me, and grant me the grace of eternal life. 

Amen. 

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Establishing a rhythm of morning and evening prayers allows you to enshrine every day in communion with God and worship. It’s a great way to begin and end your day – with God.  

Say these together with your spouse or individually early in the evening (6:00 PM) or later (9:00PM) or just before going to bed. In a place of solitude, light a candle (light of Christ) before a picture of Jesus, and stand as you say these prayers. 

After saying these evening prayers for a while, let me know how it’s going for you. 

Dr. K