An Excerpt from the Work of St. Ephraim the Syria

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 wonder 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 the traffic of men, be to us, Or 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 our arriving, that the darkness of that night may be to us as the day