The Midnight Office for Weekdays and Saturday
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Almighty Lord God, Who dost receive from Thy Heavenly Powers the thrice-holy
hymn, receive also from me, Thy unworthy servant, this song of the night, and
grant me every year of my life and at every hour to send up glory to Thee, Father,
Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer V, of St.
Basil the Great
Almighty Lord, God of the Powers and of all flesh, Who livest in the Highest and
carest for the humble, Who searchest our hearts and affections, and clearly fore-
knowest the secrets of men; eternal and everliving Light, in Whom is no change nor
shadow of variation; O Immortal King, receive our prayers which at the present
time we offer to Thee from unclean lips, trusting in the multitude of Thy mercies.
Forgive all sins committed by us in thought, word or deed, consciously or uncon-
sciously, and cleanse us from all defilement of flesh and spirit. Grant us to pass the
night of the whole present life with wakeful heart and sober thought, ever expect-
ing the coming of the radiant day of the appearing of Thy only-begotten Son, our
Lord and God and Savior, Jesus Christ, when the Judge of all will come with glory
to render to each according to their deeds. May we not be found fallen and idle, but
awake and alert for action, ready to accompany Him into the joy and divine palace
of His glory, where there is the ceaseless sound of those keeping festival and the
unspeakable delight of those who behold the ineffable beauty of Thy Face. For Thou
art the true Light that enlightens and sanctifies all, and all creation sings to Thee
throughout the ages. Amen.
Prayer VI, of St. Basil the Great
We bless Thee, O most high God and Lord of mercy, Who art ever doing numberless
great and inscrutable things with us, glorious and wonderful; Who grantest to us
sleep for rest from our infirmities, and repose from the burdens of our much toiling
flesh. We thank Thee that Thou hast not destroyed us with our sins, but hast loved
us as ever, and though we are sunk in despair, Thou hast raised us up to glorify Thy
power. Therefore we implore Thy incomparable goodness, enlighten the eyes of our
understanding and raise up our mind from the heavy sleep of indolence; open our
mouth and fill it with Thy praise, that we may be able to sing and confess, Thee,
Who art God in all and by all, the eternal Father, with Thy only- begotten Son, and
Thy all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
Amen.
Prayer VII, Midnight Hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos
I sing of Thy grace, O Sovereign Lady, and I pray thee to grace my mind.
Teach me to step aright in the way of Christ's commandments.
Strengthen me to keep awake in song, and drive away the sleep of despondency.
O Bride of God, by thy prayers release me, bound with the bonds of sin.
Guard me by night and by day, and deliver me from foes that defeat me.
O bearer of God the Life-giver, enliven me who am deadened by passions.
O bearer of the Unwaning Light, enlighten my blinded soul.