Prayer against Evil Thoughts, after Sleep, on Tuesday
O holy Forerunner of the Lord, Prophet and Baptist of Christ, John: I entreat thee, O preacher of repentance — I, contrite in soul, darkened in mind and drowned in sin; I entreat thee and fall down before thee, O greatest of all born of women, voice of the Word of God: swiftly hear the voice of the supplication of me who am near to perishing. O lamp of the light of the Sun, make my mind, darkened by base thoughts, to shine like the sun. O morning star of the day, make bright as the dawn my soul, sullied by the mire of sin. O preacher of repentance and compunction, with streams of tears cleanse my soul, soiled with defilements. O plant of the desert, by thy mercy fill my soul, which has become a desert of good works, with the fruits of good works and the joy of heavenly gifts. O Prophet and Forerunner of Christ, make ready beforehand against the watchers and merciless blasphemers of my soul, to wound and scatter them, and drive them away by thy wrath at the hour of my death and of the going forth of my soul; and on the day of judgement be my helper and support in thy goodness, to this thy wretched and miserable servant who hopes in thee. Yea, I entreat thee and adjure thee by the love of Him whom thou didst baptise: make merciful towards me, wretched and sinful, the sweet, merciful and good Jesus Christ, baptised by thee; for His is the glory, the kingdom, the sweetness and the mercy, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
O Lord, Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, be Thou my comforter and forgive me, Thine unworthy servant, all that I, as a man, have sinned this day, willingly and unwillingly, knowingly and in ignorance, through rashness, heedlessness and great sloth, and through my negligence. Whether I have sworn by Thy holy name, or made another swear, or slandered anyone, or blasphemed in my mind, or grieved anyone, or spoken ill of anyone, or angered anyone over anything, or lied to anyone; or a brother came to me and I despised him; or I afflicted my brother and embittered him; or while I stood at prayer and psalmody my mind turned to evil and worldly things; or I indulged myself beyond what is fitting, or was vainglorious, or lived dissolutely, or was proud; or I saw one possessed of beauty and was drawn to it; or I spoke unseemly things with boldness; or I scrutinised the failings of my brother while I disregarded my own iniquities, which are countless and unforgiven; or I neglected my prayer, or have done some other evil which I do not remember: O Lord, have mercy on me and forgive me, Thine unworthy and unprofitable servant, as Thou art good and the Lover of mankind, that I, the prodigal, may lie down in peace and sleep, and glorify Thee, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
