_(Then the entire Prayer of St. Ephraim is read and a single prostration
is made at the end.)_
Prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos
by the Monk Paul
O undefiled, immaculate, incorrupt and most pure Lady, the pure Virgin
Bride of God! Through your most glorious birth-giving, you united God the
Word to mankind and joined our fallen human nature to the heavenly. You
are the only hope of the hopeless, the aid of the embattled a ready help
to those who run to you and a refuge for all Christians. Do not turn away
from me who am sinful and vile, even though I have made myself totally
useless through defiled thoughts, words and deeds, and my mind has become
enslaved to the lazy pleasures of this life. As Mother of the God Who
loves mankind, have pity on me, a prodigal sinner, in that same love for
mankind. Receive the prayer I offer to you with defiled lips and pray to
your Son, our Master and Lord, with your maternal boldness. May He open
even to me the goodness of His deep love for mankind. May He overlook my
countless transgressions, turn me to repentance and make me an
experienced accomplisher of His commandments. Stand by me always in your
mercy, compassion and love of good. Be my fervent intercessor and help in
this life, driving off the assaults of enemies and guiding me to
salvation. Guard my wretched soul at the time of my death, driving away
the dark forms of the evil demons. Deliver me from eternal torments at
the Day of Judgment and reveal me an heir of the inexpressible glory of
your Son and our God. May I receive this, my Lady most glorious
Theotokos, through your help and intercession: through the Grace and love
for mankind of your only-begotten Son, our Lord, God and Savior Jesus
Christ, to Whom belong all glory, honor and worship, 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.
A Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ
by the Monk Antiochus
As we prepare for sleep, Master, grant rest to our bodies and souls. Keep
us from the dark sleep of sin and from every dark and passionate pleasure
of the night. Still the impulses of passions and put out the flaming
arrows which the Evil One looses deceitfully against us. Still the
rebellions of the flesh and put to sleep our worldly and material
reasonings. O God, grant us an alert mind, chaste thoughts, a sober
heart, and a light sleep, free of every satanic dream. Raise us at the
time of prayer confirmed in Thy commandments--the memory of Thy judgments
firmly in us. Grant that we may glorify Thee throughout this night,
singing, blessing and glorifying Thy most honorable and majestic name:
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of
ages. Amen.
_NOTE: In churches, Compline concludes at this point with brief prayers
and a Litany. (See the BOOK OF HOURS)_
_When read privately, Compline moves into PRAYERS BEFORE SLEEP, beginning
with the Troparia: "Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us...." (page
68)._