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Liturgy > Vespers >

The Prayers of Light at Vespers

In the early history of the Byzantine Rite, each litany ended with a priestly prayer – usually a prayer which expanded upon the themes of the part of the service where it was found. Over time, priests began to pray these prayers silently during the deacon's petitions, and only intones the very last part of the prayer (the doxology) aloud.

At Vespers and Matins, these prayers were eventually gathered together and prayed silently by the priest while the faithful chanted the psalms of the service. Here is the coillection of prayers which the priest prayers silently at Vespers during the chanting of Psalm 103.

1. Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and rich in mercy, give ear to my prayer and attend to the sound of my plea. Show us a sign of your favor; guide us in your way so that we may walk in your truth. Gladden our hearts that we may fear your holy name, for you are great and do marvelous deeds. You alone are God, and among the gods there is none like you, O Lord.  Powerful in mercy and gracious in strength, you help, comfort, and save all those who hope in your holy name.  For to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is due all glory, honor, and worship, now and ever and forever. Amen.

2.  Lord, do not rebuke us in your anger, nor punish us in your wrath. Deal with us according to your kindness, O Physician and Healer of our souls. Guide us to the harbor of your will; enlighten the eyes of our minds that we may know your truth. Grant that we may spend what remains of this day and the rest of our life peacefully and sinlessly through the intercession of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints.  For yours is the might; and yours are the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

3.  Lord our God, remember us your sinful and useless servants as we call upon your holy and sublime name, and do not put us to shame for hoping in your mercy.  Grant us instead, O Lord, all our petitions which lead to salvation, and make us worthy to love and to fear you with all our hearts and to do your will in everything.  For you are a good and loving God, and we give glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

4.  You are praised by the holy powers with hymns that are never silent and in doxologies that never cease.  Fill our mouth with your praise that we may ascribe majesty to your holy name.  Through the intercession of the holy Theotokos and of all the saints, give us a share and an inheritance with those who fear you in truth and who keep your commandments.  For to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is due all glory, honor, and worship, now and ever and forever. Amen.

5.  Blessed are you, Lord God almighty. You know the human mind, you know our needs long before we ask or recognize them. Therefore, O loving King, good in every way, allow us in your great mercy to call upon your holy name with a clear conscience, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one, and in your providence, arrange everything for our good.  For to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is due all glory, honor and worship, now and ever and forever. Amen.

6.  Lord, O Lord, you hold all things in your spotless hand; you are long-suffering toward all of us, and you repent over our evil deeds. Remember your mercy and your compassion. Visit us in your goodness and for the rest of this day enable us to flee from the many wiles of the evil one, and keep our life secure by the grace of your all-holy Spirit.  Through the mercy and the loving-kindness of your only-begotten Son with whom you are blessed, together with your all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

7.  Great and wonderful God, you govern all things with indescribable goodness and rich providence. You have granted us the good things of this earth, and through the good things already bestowed on us, have given us a pledge of the promised kingdom. You have kept us away from every evil during the part of this day which has passed, even until the present moment; now allow us to complete the rest of the day without blame in the presence of your holy glory singing hymns to you, O God, who alone are good and love us all.  For you are our God, and we give glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever.  Amen.

Recommended reading

• Vespers: the evening liturgical prayers according to the Byzantine Rite tradition. Byzantine Leaflet Series, No. 29. (Pittsburgh: Byzantine Seminary Press, 1983)
• Uspensky, Nicholas. Evening Worship in the Orthodox Church. (Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1985).  A thorough historical and liturgical study of Vespers and the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts.
  
• Taft, Father Robert.The Liturgy of the Hours in East and West. (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1993).  An excellent history and explanation of the Divine Praises in the different liturgical traditions.