The Daily Prayer Rule
Orthodox Evening Prayers
The prayers Orthodox Christians say before sleep — full texts in order, with an examination of conscience and a short nightly rule for beginners.
How to pray the evening rule
Pray before you are too tired to stand — earlier in the evening is better than the last conscious minute of the night. Stand before the icons, light the lamp, and pray aloud slowly. The evening rule has a shape: praise, then repentance for the day just lived, then commending yourself to God for the night ahead.
A five-minute beginner's evening rule
- The sign of the Cross and “O Heavenly King”
- The Trisagion prayers
- The Lord's Prayer
- A brief examination of conscience and forgiveness of all
- The prayer before sleep, and prayers for the departed
The Opening Prayers
Standing before the icons at the close of the day
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee. O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
From Pascha until Pentecost, "Christ is risen" is said in place of "O Heavenly King."
The Trisagion Prayers
After the invocation
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (three times) Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen. All-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. (three times)
The Lord's Prayer
Every evening
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 the evil one.
Evening Prayer of St. Macarius the Great
The heart of the evening rule
Eternal God and King of all creation, who hast granted me to arrive at this hour: forgive me the sins that I have committed this day in thought, word, and deed, and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from every defilement of flesh and spirit. Grant me, O Lord, to pass through the sleep of this night in peace, that rising from my humble bed I may please Thy most holy name all the days of my life, and trample underfoot the enemies, both bodily and bodiless, that war against me.
Prayer of St. John Chrysostom for the Hours
A short prayer for each hour of the day and night
O Lord, deprive me not of Thy heavenly good things. O Lord, deliver me from eternal torment. O Lord, if I have sinned in mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me. O Lord, deliver me from all ignorance and forgetfulness, from despondency and stony insensibility. O Lord, deliver me from every temptation. O Lord, enlighten my heart which evil desire has darkened.
Examination of Conscience
In silence, before the final prayers
Call to mind the hours of the day now ending: what was said, done, and left undone. Confess each sin to God simply and by name, without excuse and without despair, and resolve to amend it tomorrow. Forgive from your heart everyone who has wronged you this day, so that you may lie down at peace.
This is not a substitute for the Mystery of Confession, but it prepares the soul for it and keeps the conscience awake.
Evening Prayer to the Theotokos
After the prayers to Christ
O good Mother of the good King, most pure and blessed Theotokos Mary: pour out the mercy of thy Son and our God upon my passionate soul, and by thine intercessions guide me unto good works, that I may pass the remaining time of my life without blemish, and by thee attain unto Paradise, O Virgin Theotokos, who alone art pure and blessed.
Evening Prayer to the Guardian Angel
Before the final blessing
O Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and protector of my soul and body: forgive me all wherein I have offended thee this day, and deliver me from every wile of the enemy, that I may not anger my God by any sin. Pray for me, a sinful and unworthy servant, that thou mayest present me worthy of the kindness and mercy of the All-holy Trinity. Amen.
The Jesus Prayer
Quietly, as sleep comes
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Many Orthodox Christians end the evening rule with a set of the Jesus Prayer on the prayer rope, so that the last thought of the day is the name of Christ.
Prayer Before Sleep
The last words, lying down
Into Thy hands, O Lord Jesus Christ my God, I commend my spirit. Do Thou bless me, do Thou have mercy on me, and grant me life eternal. Amen. Grant rest, O Lord, to the souls of Thy departed servants, and forgive them every sin, voluntary and involuntary. (Here name those departed.)
It is customary to make the sign of the Cross over yourself and over the bed before lying down.
Frequently asked questions
What are Orthodox evening prayers?
Evening prayers are the second half of the daily prayer rule, said before sleep. They include the opening invocation, the Trisagion prayers, the Lord's Prayer, the evening prayer of St. Macarius, an examination of conscience, prayers to the Theotokos and the guardian angel, and a final prayer commending oneself to God for the night.
What is the best Orthodox prayer before sleep?
"Into Thy hands, O Lord Jesus Christ my God, I commend my spirit. Do Thou bless me, do Thou have mercy on me, and grant me life eternal. Amen." It is traditionally the last prayer said while lying down, with the sign of the Cross made over oneself and the bed.
How long should evening prayers take?
Five to fifteen minutes for most people. If you are exhausted, it is better to pray a short rule attentively than to rush a long one or skip it entirely.
Should I examine my conscience every night?
Yes — briefly. Reviewing the day, naming your sins to God, and forgiving everyone who wronged you keeps the conscience tender and prepares you for the Mystery of Confession. It should take a minute or two, not an hour of anxious self-analysis.
Can I pray Orthodox evening prayers in bed?
The rule is normally prayed standing before the icons. If illness or genuine exhaustion prevents it, the Church permits praying seated or lying down — God receives the prayer of the weak. The final prayer before sleep is said lying down by everyone.
Begin tomorrow in prayer
Pray the morning rule on rising, or read the Scripture appointed for the day.