Lord, bless!
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, for the sake of the prayers of Thy most
pure Mother, our venerable and God-bearing fathers and all the saints,
save me, a sinner. Amen.
A Prayer of St. John of Damascus,
said pointing at the bed
O Master Who lovest mankind, is this bed to be my coffin? Or wilt Thou
enlighten my wretched soul with another day? Behold: before me lies the
coffin, before me stands death! O Lord, I fear Thy judgment and the
endless torments, yet I cease not to do evil. I always anger Thee, my
Lord God, and Thy most pure Mother, all the heavenly hosts and my holy
Guardian Angel. I know, Lord, that I am unworthy of Thy love for mankind.
Indeed, I am worthy of every condemnation and torment. Yet, Lord, save me
whether I want it or not! When Thou savest the righteous, it is no great
thing. When Thou hast mercy on the pure, it causes no wonder, for they
are worthy of Thy mercy. Astound us with Thy mercy towards me, a sinner.
Reveal in this manner Thy love for mankind, that my wickedness may not
overcome Thine inexpressible goodness and mercy. As Thou wilt, order my
life!
_Wishing to lie down on your bed, say:_
Enlighten my eyes, Christ--God, that I fall not asleep to death and that
my enemy may not say of me: I have overcome him.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
Be the Helper of my soul, O God, for I walk among many snares. Deliver me
from them, O Good One, and save me, for Thou lovest mankind.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Let us ever hymn the most glorious Mother of God, who is holier than the
Holy Angels. With heart and lips let us confess that she is the
Theotokos, for she truly bore God incarnate for us and prays ceaselessly
for our souls.
_Kiss your Cross. Then, make the Sign of the Cross over your bed, from
head to foot and either side, saying the Prayer to the Precious Cross:_
Let God arise and let His enemies be scattered! Let those who hate Him
flee from before His face! As smoke vanishes, so let them vanish. As wax
melts before the fire, so let sinners perish before the face of those who
love God and sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross and say joyfully:
rejoice, most precious and life-creating Cross of the Lord, which chases
demons away through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ Who was nailed to
you, descended into hell and, having trampled down the power of the
devil, gave to us His precious Cross for the routing of all enemies. Help
me for ever, most precious and life-creating Cross of the Lord, with the
Holy Lady Virgin Theotokos and all the Saints. Amen.
Remit, absolve and forgive, O God, all our voluntary and involuntary
sins, in word and in deed, in knowledge and in ignorance, in the day or
in the night, in mind and in thought! Forgive us everything, for Thou art
good and lovest mankind.
O Lord Who lovest mankind, forgive those who hate and wrong us. Do good
to those who do good. Grant to our brethren and relatives all petitions
for salvation and eternal life. Visit the afflicted and heal them. Guide
those at sea. Travel with travellers. Join the Orthodox Christians in
battle. Grant remission of sins to those who serve us and are kind to us.
Have mercy, according to Thy great mercy, on those who have asked us to
pray for them, unworthy though we be. Remember, Lord, our fathers and
brethren who have fallen asleep before us, and give them rest under the
light of Thy countenance. Remember, Lord, our captive brethren, and
deliver them from every misfortune. Remember, Lord, those who bear fruit
and do good works in Thy holy churches, and grant them all their
petitions for salvation and eternal life. Remember us also, Lord, Thy
humble, sinful, and unworthy servants. Enlighten our minds with the light
of Thy reason and direct us onto the path of Thy commandments, through
the prayers of our most Pure Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and
all Thy Saints, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.