The following Prayer Rule may be used by a layperson at home as a consistent daily discipline of prayer. It consists of confession of sin, proclamation of faith, thanksgiving, intercession, and entrusting yourself to God.
Opening
Make the sign of the Cross + and stand reverently.
Prayer of Invocation
In the name of + the Father, and of + the Son, and of + the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to You, O God, glory to You!
The Heavenly King
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, present everywhere and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: come and dwell 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, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
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 the sake of Your name.
Lord, have mercy. (3x)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be 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 temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Worship of Christ
(Bow each time)
Come, let us worship + God our King.
Come, let us worship and bow down before + Christ, our King and our God.
Come, let us worship and bow down before + Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Psalm 50 (51) – A Prayer of Repentance
Recite Psalm 50 (51) with compunction.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy;
according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against You only have I sinned,
and done what is evil in Your sight,
so that You are justified in Your words
and blameless in Your judgment.
Indeed, I was conceived in iniquities,
and in sins my mother bore me.
But You desire truth in the inward being;
in the secret heart You have made wisdom known to me.
Sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
Turn Your face away from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence,
and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
and sustain me with a willing spirit.
Then I shall teach transgressors Your ways,
and sinners will return to You.
Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God,
God of my salvation,
and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare Your praise.
For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
You take no pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit;
a broken and humbled heart, O God, You will not despise.
Do good to Zion in Your good pleasure;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then You will delight in right sacrifices,
in offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls shall be offered on Your altar. Amen.
The Nicene Creed
Recite the Creed slowly and attentively, affirming your faith.
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, through whom all things were made.
For us and for our salvation He came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man.
He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered, and was buried. On the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead; His Kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spoke through the Prophets.
I believe in one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
I await the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come.
Amen.
Morning and Evening Prayers
A Morning Prayer
In the morning, pray the Morning Prayer with thanksgiving and resolve for the day.
Lord, I thank You for granting me the light of a new day. Help me to greet this day in peace, trusting always in Your holy will. In every hour, guide me, teach me, and show me the path of Your truth. Bless those around me, and guard them in Your love.
Help me to meet everything that comes to me today with calmness of spirit and firm trust that Your will governs all. In all I say and do, sanctify my thoughts and feelings. In unexpected events, remind me that nothing happens apart from You. Teach me to act firmly and wisely without hurting or embarrassing others.
Give me strength, O Lord, to bear the labours of this day with patience. Direct my will, teach me to pray, and Yourself dwell within me, granting me Your blessing and abiding presence. Amen.
An Evening Prayer
In the evening. pray the Evening Prayer with repentance and trust before sleep.
O eternal God and King of all creation, You have kept me safe to this hour. Forgive me all the sins I have committed today in word, deed, and thought. Cleanse me from every fault, and make me a dwelling place for Your Spirit.
Defeat every enemy—seen and unseen—that wars against me. Guard me from vain thoughts and sinful desires. Accept my prayer in Your great mercy, and enlighten my heart with the light of the Holy Spirit. Teach me to walk in Your commandments, for You are my God.
I thank You, Lord, for every gift of this day, and I place all into Your hands, trusting in Your mercy for my salvation. Grant me peaceful rest of body and soul as I sleep. Keep me safe from every passion of the flesh and every influence of evil powers. Amen.
(If time allows, both may be prayed—morning at rising, evening before bed.)
Intercessions
Pray for your family, friends, parish, and all in need.
Add personal prayers for the sick, the departed, or any who have asked your prayers.
Pray: + “Lord, have mercy” (12x).
The Dismissal
Hymn to the Theotokos
It is truly right to bless you, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most pure, the Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. Truly you are Theotokos; we magnify you.
+ Lord, have mercy. (3x)
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Through the prayers of Your most pure Mother, my guardian angel, my patron Saint [Name], and all Your saints, have mercy on us and on Your world.
O Lord, into Your hands I commend my spirit. Amen.
Suggested Daily Use
Morning (on waking)
Opening, Trisagion, Psalm 50, Creed, Morning Prayer, Intercessions, Dismissal.
During the day
Short prayers as possible, e.g., “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.”
Evening (before bed)
Opening, Trisagion, Psalm 50, Creed, Evening Prayer, Intercessions, Dismissal.
