A Morning Prayer

Many years ago I received a prayer card from a sweet friend of mine. This morning prayer was written by Elder Sophrony (+1993) of Essex, spiritual child of St Silouan the Athonite. I found this description of the prayer on AbbaMoses.com. “He gave this prayer to his own spiritual children, to be said ‘on rising from sleep.’ This version of the prayer is adapted from Hesychia and Theology by Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos, who writes, ‘If someone reads this prayer in the morning with contrition and attention, the whole day will be blessed.’”

I love it! I have been very blessed by praying this prayer.

O Eternal King without beginning, Thou who art before all worlds, my Maker, Who hast summoned all things from non-being into this life: Bless this day that Thou, in Thine inscrutable goodness, hast given to me. By the power of Thy blessing, enable me at all times in this coming day to speak and act for Thee, to Thy glory, in Thy fear, according to Thy will, with a pure spirit, with humility, patience, love, gentleness, peace, courage, wisdom and prayer, aware everywhere of Thy presence.

Yea, Lord, in Thine immense mercy, lead me by Thy Holy Spirit into every good work and word, and grant me to walk all my life long in Thy sight without stumbling, according to Thy righteousness, which Thou hast revealed to us, that I add not to my transgressions.

O Lord, great in mercy, spare me who am perishing in wickedness; hide not Thy face from me. And when my perverted will would lead me down other paths, forsake me not, my Savior, but force me back to Thy holy path.

O good One, to whom all hearts are open, Thou knowest my poverty and my foolishness, my blindness and my uselessness, but the sufferings of my soul are also before Thee. Wherefore I beseech Thee: Hear me in my affliction and fill me with Thy strength from above. Raise me up who am paralyzed with sin, and deliver me who am enslaved to the passions. Heal me from every hidden wound. Purify me from all taint of flesh and spirit. Preserve me from every inward and outward impulse that is unpleasing in Thy sight and hurtful to my brother.

I beseech Thee: establish me in the path of Thy commandments and to my last breath let me not stray from the light of Thine ordinances, so that Thy commandments may become the sole law of my being in this life and in all eternity.

O God, my God, I plead with Thee for many and great things: do not disregard me. Cast me not away from Thy presence because of my presumption and boldness, but by the power of Thy love lead me in the path of Thy will. Grant me to love Thee as Thou hast commanded, with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind, and with all my strength: with my whole being.

For Thou alone art the holy protection and all-powerful defender of my life, and to Thee I ascribe glory and offer my prayer.

Grant me to know Thy truth before I depart this life. Maintain my life in this world until I may offer Thee true repentance. Take me not away in the midst of my days, and when Thou art pleased to bring my life to an end, forewarn me of my death, that I may prepare my soul to come before Thee.

Be with me then, O Lord, on my great and sacred day, and grant me the joy of Thy salvation. Cleanse me from manifest and secret sins, from all iniquity hidden in me; and give me a right answer before Thy dread judgment-seat. Amen.

Elder Sophrony (+1993) of Essex

One of my favorite parts of the prayer is ” By the power of thy blessing, enable me at all times in this coming day to speak and act for thee, to thy glory, in thy fear, according to thy will, with a pure spirit, with humility, patience, love, gentleness, peace, courage, wisdom and prayer, aware everywhere of Thy presence.”

In this part, I ask God to enable me to be aware of His presence everywhere! Oh, how I want that awareness!

I try to remember to pray this one line often! It is a perfect Pivot Prayer as well.

Let us be aware everywhere of His presence! Look up!