Prayers as meditations and focal points threw out the day.




About two weeks before Easter I came across an orthodox prayer book. There were prayers for the morning, prayers for the afternoon and prayers for the evening. There is also a section of various prayers an out line of the liturgy and prayers for before and after communion. I do not attend an eastern orthodox church, so most of the book wasn’t of great interest to me but the prayers for the different times really stuck me.

As a person who is trying to develop a habitual sense of God threw prayer and contemplation, why not have some prayers to look at throughout the day as focal points. A kind of rest stop or little mediation on Gods attributes, forgiveness of sin, and the mind set one should have towards God and the world around him.

Here is a lay out of what I am loosely doing now. I am in the process of finding prayers that really speak to me and what I feel God has called me to in my spiritual walk, so this is a work in progress. The End product I hope to have is a small collection of prayers and meditations that I will put together in my own pocket size prayer book.


Morning Prayers

Trisagion Prayers

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

Glory to You, Christ our God, our hope, Glory to You!
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, Treasury of Goodness and Giver of life: come and abide in us. Cleanse us from every stain of sin and save our souls, O Gracious Lord.

Holy God. Holy Mighty. Holy Immortal Have mercy on us.(3)

Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for the glory of Your name.

Lord, have mercy.(3)

Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever 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.

For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
(This prayer is also said in the afternoon and evening.)

A Prayer to the Holy Trinity

Arising from sleep I thank thee, O holy Trinity, because of the abundance of thy goodness and long-suffering thou wast not wroth with me, slothful and sinful as I am; neither hast thou destroyed me in my transgressions: but in thy compassion raised me up, as I lay in despair; that at dawn I might sing the glories of thy Majesty. Do thou now enlighten the eyes of my understanding, open my mouth to receive thy words, teach me thy commandments, help me to do thy will, confessing thee from my heart, singing and praising thine All-holy Name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

A Prayer of St. Basil the Great

We bless thee, O God most high and Lord of mercies, who ever workest great and mysterious deeds for us, glorious, wonderful, and numberless; who providest us with sleep as a rest from our infirmities and as a repose for our bodies tired by labor. We thank thee that thou hast not destroyed us in our transgressions, but in thy love toward mankind thou hast raised us up, as we lay in despair, that we may glorify thy Majesty. We entreat thine infinite goodness, enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our minds from the heavy sleep of indolence; open our mouths and fill them with thy praise, that we may unceasingly sing and confess thee, who art God glorified in all and by all, the eternal Father, the Only-Begotten Son, and the all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Here may be added your own private devotions and intercessions, using your own words or the "Occasional Prayers". When you have finished, conclude with this prayer:
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.

Midday Prayers

First prayer the Trisagion Prayers

O Christ our God, who at this hour didst stretch out thy loving arms upon the Cross that all men might be gathered unto thee, help us and save us who cry out unto thee: Glory to thee, O Lord.
Here may be added your own private devotions and intercessions, using your own words or the "Occasional Prayers". When you have finished, conclude with this prayer:
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.

Evening Prayers

First prayer the Trisagion Prayers

Troparia of Thanksgiving

Now that the day has come to a close, I thank thee, O Lord, and I ask that the evening with the night may be sinless; grant this to me, O Saviour, and save me.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Now that the day hath passed, I glorify thee, O Master, and I ask that the evening, with the night may be without offence; grant this to me, O Saviour, and save me.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Now that the day hath run its course, I praise thee, O Holy One, and I ask that the evening with the night may be undisturbed; grant this to me, O Saviour, and save me.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)

A Prayer for Forgiveness
O Lord our God, if during this day I have sinned, whether in word or deed or thought, forgive me all, for thou art good and lovest mankind. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep, and deliver me from all influence and temptation of the evil one. Raise me up again in proper time that I may glorify thee; for thou art blessed: with thine Only-begotten Son and thine All-holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer for evening
O Christ our God, who at all times and in every hour, in heaven and on earth, art worshipped and glorified; who art long-suffering, merciful and compassionate; who lovest the just and showest mercy upon the sinner; who callest all to salvation through the promise of blessings to come; O Lord, in this hour receive our supplications, and direct our lives according to thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, hallow our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our minds; deliver us from all tribulation, evil and distress. Encompass us with thy holy Angels, that guided and guarded by them, we may attain to the unity of the faith and to the knowledge of thine unapproachable glory, for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
Here may be added your own private devotions and intercessions, using your own words or the "Occasional Prayers". When you have finished, conclude with this prayer:
Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen.
As you lie down to sleep, say:
Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my soul and my body. Do thou thyself bless me, have mercy upon me, and grant me life eternal. Amen.


Brother Lawrence’s prayer before he began a task
(This one I committed to memory some time ago.)

O my god, wince Thou art with me, and I must now, in obedience to Thy commands, apply my mind to these outward things, grant me the grace to continue in Thy Presence; and prosper me with thy assistance. Receive all me works, and possess all my affections.

Prayer for the heart

To you, O God every heart stands open
and every will speaks; no secret is
hidden from you. I implore you so to
purify the intention of my heart with
the gift of your grace that I may love
you perfectly and praise you worthily
Amen

There is no hard and fast rule to when and how many of them I say. I try to spread out the morning prayers throughout the morning and the same with the day and evening prayers. The real point of these prayers to me to help develop and build the habit of thinking and prayer to God in all I do.

The largest time for me spent in prayer is the Jesus Prayer until noon. (as much I can remember to do so) After lunch I spend the remainder of the work day memorizing scripture until the close of the work day. Then during the drive home I prayer for my family and how I may bless them that night. During the whole of they day I also carry on small conversations with God adoring him praising him and asking his assistance in what I am doing, and to know his will for me. When my wife puts our child to bed I go in to my music room and practice the Jesus prayer saying between 25 and 100 prayers. Some times I don’t say any It all depends on the needs of my wife and family.