Vespers Prayer at the Bowing of our Heads

We wrap up our discussion of the silent prayers of Vespers today with a practical yet poignant prayer. This prayer might be basic, but it leads us to the best understanding of our relationship with God. We know we need God, but do we know nobody else can help us?

O Lord our God, Who bowed the heavens, and Who came down for the salvation of the human race, look upon Your servants and upon Your inheritance. For Your servants have bowed their heads, and they have bent their necks to You, the fearsome Judge Who loves mankind; they do not expect help from men, but they await Your mercy, and look for Your expected salvation; protect them at all times, during both the present evening and the coming night, from every enemy, from every opposing work of the devil, and from vain thoughts and evil memories. Blessed and glorified is the might of Your kingdom: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages.

First, here’s the practical discussion of this prayer. Immediately prior to this prayer the priest or deacon commands, “Let us bow our heads to the Lord.” Then this prayer opens with the understanding that if we have not bowed our head, this prayer is not for us.

We must understand that while the prayers are being said ‘for’ us that does not give us the excuse to ‘check out’ while they are being offered to God. When we ‘check out’ not only are we not paying attention, but we also don’t benefit from the prayer either. So, bow your head!

Now for the more poignant part of the prayer. We are bowing before God expecting Him to help us through the night. We are specifically NOT asking any human being for help. All this talk about intercessions and praying to the saints, and yet the prayer makes it clear.

The next time your non Orthodox friends challenge the idea of praying to saints by saying, “We only should be praying to God.” You should respond, “Yes and no. I’m not praying for the saint to help me. I’m asking the Saint to ask God to help me. ONLY God can help me.”

This is the essence of this prayer. All the intercessions to saints will not negate the realty that ONLY God can save us. I admit many Orthodox Christians spend more time praying to saints then directly to God. Praying to saints is good and natural but praying to God is crucial.

This prayer doesn’t negotiate with God. This prayer doesn’t ‘state our case’ as to why God should help us. This prayer simply and directly affirms we need God to ‘do His thing’ and protect us while we are asleep, but ONLY if we have bowed our heads when told to bow our heads.

Tomorrow we will turn our attention to the Compline service before wrapping up our 2025 Daily Lenten Journey. We are in the ‘home stretch’ of Great Lent. Happy praying.