Prayer of the Hours (1st Hour)

You who at every season and every hour, in Heaven and on earth art worshiped and glorified, O Christ God; long-suffering, merciful and compassionate; Who loves the just and shows mercy upon the sinner; Who calls all to salvation through the promise of blessings to come. O Lord, in this hour receive our supplications, and direct our lives according to Your commandments. Sanctify our souls. Purify our bodies. Correct our minds; cleanse our thoughts; and deliver us from all tribulations, evil, and distress. Surround us with Your holy angels, that guided and guarded by them, we may attain to the unity of the faith, and to the knowledge of Your unapproachable glory. For You are blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.

A Prayer of the First Hour

Order my steps in Your word, and so shall no wickedness have dominion over me. Deliver me from the wrongful dealings of men, and so shall I keep your commandments. Show the light of Your countenance on Your servant, and teach me Your statutes. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise, O Lord, that I may sing of Your glory and honor all the day long. O Christ the true light, who enlightens and sanctifies every person who comes into the world: Let the light of Your countenance shine on us, that in it we may behold the uncreated light. Guide our footsteps aright in keeping Your commandments, through the intercessions of Your most-pure mother and of all the saints. The universe offers You the God-bearing martyrs as the first-fruits of creation, O Lord and Creator. Through the Theotokos and their prayers, establish Your Church in peace. Through the prayers of our holy fathers and mothers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us. Amen!