
Try me, O God, and discern my paths. If there is a way of transgression in me, turn me away from it. And lead me to the eternal way, O God, who said: “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.”
Try me, O God, and discern my paths. If there is a way of transgression in me, turn me away from it. And lead me to the eternal way, O God, who said: “I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.”
O Lord, listen to our supplications with mercy and answer them with compassion. In your good pleasure, O God accept, our adoration and prayer and be gracious to us.
In the Orthodox Church the Nativity Fast, known in the West as Advent, begins on November 15. Modeled after Great Lent, this is a 40-day fast in preparation for Christmas, the feast of our Lord’s birth. But there is another theme to this season as well. We not only prepare to celebrate the feast of Christ’s first coming into the word. We also use this time to reflect on our readiness to meet him at his second coming.
Lord God and Master! Father Almighty, Only-begotten Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit, one Godhead, one power: have mercy on me a sinner; and by the judgments which you know, save me, your unworthy servant.
O Good Shepherd, seek me out and bring me home to your fold again. Deal favorably with me according to your good pleasure, till I may dwell in your house all the days of my life, and praise you forever with them that are there.
O Holy Spirit, through the course of this day grace me with your fruit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Glory to you, O Christ, our Master and King, the pride of the apostles, the crown of the martyrs, the joy of the righteous, the firm foundation of the churches, and the forgiveness of sins!
You, O God, have given us your word for a light to shine upon our path. Grant us to meditate on that word, and to follow its teaching, that we may find in it the Light that shines more and more until that perfect day, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
O Lord, listen to our supplications with mercy and answer them with compassion. In your good pleasure, O God accept, our adoration and prayer and be gracious to us.
Grant us, Father, to pass through the night of this present life with watchful heart and sober thoughts, awaiting the radiant day of your Only-begotten Son. May we not be found fallen and idle, but watching and upright, ready to accompany him into the divine palace of his glory.