He prays that he may obtain blessedness after death. An excerpt from St. Ephraim, Deacon, Confessor and Doctor
In that night when all sound, all activity of men shall be silent, when the voices of all men and of all nations are still, may my soul, through its good works, shine out in Thee, O Jesus, Light of the Just. In that hour when darkness like a cloak shall be spread over all things, may Thy grace, O Lord, shine on us in place of the earthly sun. In that night which brings to an end the course of this world and all its activities, may our souls behold Thy wonders in that quiet which is more than silence. In that hour, refreshing the weary through the sleep that lies on all men, may our minds be inebriated with Thy delights, O Delight of all the Saints! In that time of dark night, may a New Sun arise for us. Then let us take wing in that hope which was laid up for us in Thy Resurrection. Grant us, O Lord, to imitate the watchfulness of those who waited for Thy Resurrection, so that day and night, O Lord, our souls may be turned towards Thee. In that hour when we shall be separated from men and from the traffic of men, be to us, O Lord, a Giver of good things, bringing joy to our sadness. When confiding in Thy grace we have gone forth from this world, so that we are alone, may we behold, O Lord, clearly and in deed the power of Thy aid. Pour Thy peace into our hearts, and give Thy rest to all our striving, that the darkness of that night may be to us as the day.
In that hour when we shall have been deprived of life, and night has hidden us in its darkness, and we have been separated from the rest of men, may our consolation in Thee, O Lord, increase. In that place that is empty of all things, where the voice of comfort is no more heard, awaken in our souls, O Lord, a watchfulness free of all distraction. In that time when men lie in the sleep of final rest, may our minds not be sunk in the sleep of evil desires.
Grant us by Thy grace, O Lord, that like the wise virgins who were ready by their good works, our way of life shall also be watchful, that we shall not sit in darkness, with darkened souls, in darkness of mind, but that through prayer we may look for ever on the shining splendor of Thy grace. Expel, O Lord, by the daily light of Thy knowledge the nocturnal darkness of our mind, that being enlightened it may serve Thee in the purity of its regeneration.