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An Opening Orthodox Prayer
Glory to Thee, O our God, glory to Thee!
O God, be merciful to me, a sinner. (three times)
O Lord, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, by the prayers of Thy most pure
Mother, and all the saints, have mercy upon us.
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The Creed
I believe in one God, Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of
all things visible and invisible: And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the
only-begotten Son of God; begotten of the Father before all ages; Light
from Light, True God from True God, begotten, not made, of One Essence
with the Father, through Whom all things were made: Who for us men, and
for our salvation, came down from Heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy
Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became Man: And was crucified for us under
Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried: And He rose on the third day
according to the Scriptures: And ascended into Heaven, and sits at the
right hand of the Father: And He is coming again with glory to judge the
living and the dead; And His Kingdom will have no end: And in the Holy
Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of the Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who
with the Father and the Son is equally worshipped and glorified, Who spoke
by the Prophets: And in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I
confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the Resurrection
of the Dead; And the life of the Age to come. Amen.
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Orthodox Prayers Before A Meal
Before Breakfast
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us! Lord, cleanse us from our sins!
Master, pardon our transgressions! Holy One, visit and heal our
infirmities for Thy name's sake.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever
and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art holy,
always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
After Breakfast
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than
the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true
Theotokos, we magnify you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever
and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
God is with us, through His Grace and love for mankind, always now and
ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Before Lunch
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy
will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass
against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever
and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art holy,
always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
After Lunch
We thank Thee, Christ our God, for Thou hast satisfied us with Thine
earthly gifts. Deprive us not of Thy Heavenly Kingdom, but as Thou camest
among Thy disciples, O Savior, giving them peace, so come to us and save
us!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever
and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
Blessed is God, Who has had mercy on us and fed us from His rich gifts,
through His Grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever and unto ages
of ages. Amen.
Before Supper
The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall
praise Him; their hearts shall live forever!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever
and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art holy,
always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
After Supper
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever
and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Your womb became a Heavenly Table, bearing the Heavenly Bread - Christ our
God. Whoever eats of Him shall not die, O Birth-giver of God, according to
the word of the Nourisher of all.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than
the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true
Theotokos, we magnify you.
Thou, O Lord, hast made us glad by Thy works; in the works of Thy hands
shall we rejoice. Lift up the Light of Thy countenance upon us, O Lord!
Thou hast put joy in my heart. With teh fruit of wheat, wine and oil have
we been satisfied. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for Thou
alone, O Lord, makest me to dwell in hope.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever
and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! (3 times)
God is with us, through His Grace and love for mankind, always now and
ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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Orthodox Prayers Before Holy Communion
A Prayer of St. Basil the Great
O Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, our God, Fountain of life and
immortality, Creator of all things visible and invisible; Consubstantial
and Co-eternal Son of the eternal Father, who in thine exceeding great
love didst become incarnate in the latter days, and was crucified for us
ungrateful and wicked children, and by thine own Blood didst renew our
nature corrupted by sin; Do thou, O Immortal King, receive me, a repentant
sinner; incline thine ear unto me and hear my prayer. I have sinned, O
Lord, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and I am not worthy to
lift up my eyes to the majesty of thy glory, for I have affronted thy
goodness, and broken thy commandments, and disobeyed thy laws. But thou, O
Lord most loving, long-suffering and merciful, hast not given me over to
perish in my sin, but dost ever await my return. For, O Thou who lovest
mankind, thou hast said, by thy Prophet, that thou hast no pleasure in the
death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and
live. Thou dost not desire, O Master, to destroy the works of thy hands or
that they should perish, but willest that all men should be saved and come
to the knowledge of the Truth. Wherefore I, although unworth both of
heaven and of earth and of this temporary life, even I, a wretched sinner
who had given myself over to every evil desire, despair not of salvation,
though I have been wholly subject to sin, a slave to passion, and have
defiled thine image within me, who am thy creation and thy work; but
trusting in thine infinite compassion, draw nigh unto thee. Receive me, O
Lord, thou that lovest mankind, as thou didst receive the sinful woman,
the thief, the publican and the prodigal son. Take away the heavy burden
of my sins, O Thou that takest away the sins of the world, and healest the
infirmities of men, and callest all that are weary and heavy laden to
thyself and givest them rest; thou that camest not to call the righteous
but sinners to repentance, cleanse thou me from all stain of body and soul
and teach me to fulfill holiness in thy fear, that with the witness of my
conscience pure, I may receive a portion of thy Holy Gifts, and be united
to thy Holy Body and Precious Blood, and may have thee, with thy Father
and Holy Spirit, dwelling and abiding in me. And grant, O Lord Jesus
Christ, my God, that the partaking of thy precious and Life-giving
Mysteries may not be to my condemnation, nor may not through the weakness
of my soul and body be received unworthily; but grant that, even unto my
last breath, I may partake of a portion of thy Holy Gifts without
condemnation, unto the Communion of thy Holy Spirit, as a preparation for
eternal Life and for a good defence at thy dread Judgement Seat; so that
I, together with all thine elect, may also receive those incorruptible
good things which thou hast prepared for them that love thee, O Lord; in
whom thou art glorified forever. Amen.
Another Prayer of St. Basil the Great
O Lord, I know that I am unworthy to receive thy Holy Body and Precious
Blood; I know that I am guilty, and that I eat and drink condemnation to
myself, not discerning the Body and Blood of Christ my God. But trusting
in thy loving-kindness I come unto thee who hast said: He that eateth my
Body and drinketh my Blood shall dwell in me and I in him. Therefore, O
Lord, have compassion on me and make not an example of me, thy sinful
servant. But do unto me according thy great mercy, and grant that these
Holy Gifts may be for me unto the healing, purification, enlightenment,
protection, salvation and sanctification of my soul and body, and to the
expulsion of every evil imagination, sinful deed or work of the Devil. May
they move me to reliance on thee and to love thee always, to amend and
keep firm my life; and be ever in me to the increase of virtue, to the
keeping of the Holy Spirit, and as a good defence before thy dread
Judgement Seat, and for Life Eternal. Amen.
A Prayer of St. John Chrysostom
O Lord my God, I know that I am not worthy nor sufficient that thou
shouldest enter under my roof into the habitation of my soul, for it is
all deserted and in ruins, and thou hast not a fitting place in me to lay
thy head. But as from the heights of thy glory thou didst humble thyself,
so now bear me in my humility; as thou didst deign to lie in a manger in a
cave, so deign now also to come into the manger of my mute soul and
corrupt body. As thou didst not refrain from entering into the house of
Simon the leper, or shrink from eating there with sinners, so also
vouchsafe to enter the house of my poor soul, all leprous and full of sin.
Thou didst not reject the sinful woman who ventured to draw near to touch
thee, so also have pity on me, a sinner, approaching to touch thee. And
grant that I may partake of thine All-holy Body and Precious Blood for the
sanctification, enlightenment and strengthening of my weak soul and body;
for the relief from the burden of my many sins; for my preservation
against all the snares of the devil; for victory over all my sinful and
evil habits; for the mortification of my passions; for obedience to thy
Commandments; for growth in thy divine Grace and for the inheritance of
thy Kingdom. For it is not with careless heart that I approach thee, O
Christ my God, but I come trusting in thine infinite goodness, and fearing
lest I may be drawn afar from thee and become the prey of the wolf of
souls. Wherefore I pray thee, O Master, who alone art holy, that thou
wouldest sanctify my soul and body, my mind and heart and reins, and renew
me entirely. Implant in my members the fear of thee, be thou my helper and
guide, directing my life in the paths of peace, and make me worthy to
stand at thy right hand with thy Saints; through the prayers and
intercessions of thine immaculate Mother, of thy Bodiless Servitors, of
the immaculate Powers, and of all the Saints who from all ages have been
well-pleasing unto thee. Amen.
A Prayer of St. John of Damascus
O Lord and Master Jesus Christ, our God, who alone hath power to forgive
the sins of men, do thou, O Good One who lovest mankind, forgive all the
sins that I have committed in knowledge or in ignorance, and make me
worthy to receive without condemnation thy divine, glorious, immaculate
and life-giving Mysteries; not unto punishment or unto increase of sin;
but unto purification, and sanctification and a promise of thy Kingdom and
the Life to come; as a protection and a help to overthrow the adversaries,
and to blot out my many sins. For thou art a God of Mercy and compassion
and love toward mankind, and unto Thee we ascribe glory together with the
Father and the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Another Prayer of St. John of Damascus
I stand before the gates of thy Temple, and yet I refrain not from my evil
thoughts. But do thou, O Christ my God, who didst justify the publican,
and hadst mercy on the Canaanite woman, and opened the gates of Paradise
to the thief; open unto me the compassion of thy love toward mankind, and
receive me as I approach and touch thee, like the sinful woman and the
woman with the issue of blood; for the one, by embracing thy feet received
the forgiveness of her sins, and the other by but touching the hem of thy
garment was healed. And I, most sinful, dare to partake of thy whole Body.
Let me not be consumed but receive me as thou didst receive them, and
enlighten the perceptions of my soul, consuming the accusations of my
sins; through the intercessions of Her that without stain gave Thee birth,
and of the heavenly Powers; for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
A Prayer of St. John Chrysostom
I believe, O Lord, and I confess that thou art truly the Christ, the Son
of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom
I am chief. And I believe that this is truly thine own immaculate Body,
and that this is truly thine own precious Blood. Wherefore I pray thee,
have mercy upon me and forgive my transgressions both voluntary and
involuntary, of word and of deed, of knowledge and of ignorance; and make
me worthy to partake without condemnation of thine immaculate Mysteries,
unto remission of my sins and unto life everlasting. Amen. Of thy Mystic
Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not
speak of thy Mystery to thine enemies, neither will I give thee a kiss as
did Judas; but like the thief will I confess thee: Remember me, O Lord, in
thy Kingdom. Not unto judgement nor unto condemnation be my partaking of
thy Holy Mysteries, O Lord, but unto the healing of soul and body.
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Orthodox Prayers of Thanksgiving After Holy Communion
Glory to thee, O God; Glory to thee, O God; Glory to thee, O God.
I thank thee, O Lord my God, that thou hast not rejected me, a sinner, but
hast accounted me worthy to become a communicant of thy Holy Mysteries. I
thank thee that thou hast accounted me, the unworthy, worthy to partake of
thine immaculate and heavenly gifts. But, O Master who lovest mankind, who
didst both die for us and rise again, and didst bestow upon us these thy
terrible and life-giving Mysteries for the benefitting and sanctification
of our souls and bodies: grant that they may be for me also unto the
healing of soul and body, unto the averting of everything contrary
thereto; unto the enlightenment of the eyes of my heart; unto the peace of
my spiritual powers; unto faith invincible; unto love unfeigned; unto
fulfilling of wisdom; unto the keeping of thy commandments; unto growth in
thy divine grace, and the attainment of thy kingdom: that by them
preserved in thy holiness, I may ever remember thy grace, and henceforth
live not unto myself, but unto thee, our Master and Benefactor. And thus,
when this life is ended, in the hope of eternal life, I may attain unto
everlasting rest, where the voice of those who keep festival is unceasing,
and the delight of those who behold the ineffable beauty of thy
countenance is boundless; for thou art the true desire and unutterable joy
of all those who love thee, O Christ our God, and all creation hymneth
thee forever. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Basil the Great
O Master, Christ our God, King of the ages, and maker of all things: I
thank thee for all the good things which thou hast bestowed upon me, and
for this partaking of thine immaculate and life-giving Mysteries.
Wherefore I pray thee, who art good and lovest mankind: Keep me under thy
protection, and in the shadow of thy wings; and grant unto me with a pure
conscience and even unto my last breath, to partake of thy holy Mysteries,
unto remission of sins and unto life everlasting. For thou art the Bread
of Life, the Fountain of holiness, the Giver of good things, and unto thee
we ascribe Glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
A Prayer of St. Simeon Metaphrastes
O Thou who willingly dost give thy flesh to me as food, Thou who art a
Fire, consuming the unworthy, Consume me not, O my Creator; But rather
pass through all my body parts, Into all my joints, my reins, my heart.
Burn thou the thorns of all my transgressions, Cleanse my soul, and hallow
thou my thoughts. Make firm my knees, and my bones likewise; Enlighten as
one my five senses, Establish me wholly in thy fear; Ever shelter me, and
guard and keep me From every soul-corrupting deed and word, Chasten me,
purify me, and control me; Adorn me, teach me, and enlighten me. Show me
to be a Tabernacle of thy Spirit only, And in no wise the dwelling-place
of sin, That from me, thy habitation, through the entrance of thy
Communion, Every evil deed and every passion may flee as from fire. As
intercessors I bring to thee all the Saints, Both the Angelic Leaders of
the Bodiless Powers, Thy Fore-runner, and thy wise Apostles; And besides
these, thine immaculate and chaste Mother; Do thou accept their prayers,
my Christ, who art Compassionate, And make thy servant to be a child of
the light: For thou alone, Good Lord, are the sanctification and splendor
of our souls, And to thee as God and Master, day by day, Duly we all
ascribe glory.
May thy holy Body, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, be unto me for life
eternal, and thy precious Blood unto remission of my sins. May this
Eucharist be unto me for joy, health, and gladness; and at thy dread
Second Coming make me, a sinner, worthy to stand at the right hand of thy
glory: through the intercessions of thine all-immaculate Mother and of all
thy Saints. Amen.
A Prayer to the All-Holy Theotokos
O All-holy Lady Theotokos, light of my darkened soul, my hope, my shelter,
my refuge, my consolation and my joy: I thank thee that thou hast
accounted me worthy, although unworthy, to be a partaker of the immaculate
Body and precious Blood of thy Son. But do thou, who gavest birth to the
true Light, enlighten the mental eyes of my heart; O thou who didst bear
the fountain of immortality, quicken thou me who lie dead in sin. O
compassion-loving Mother of the merciful God, have mercy upon me and grant
me humility and contrition of heart, and meekness in my thoughts, and
deliverance from the bondage of my vain imaginings. And account me worthy,
even unto my last breath, to receive without condemnation the
sanctification of the immaculate Mysteries, unto the healing of both soul
and body. And grant unto me tears of repentance and confession, that I may
hymn thee and glorify thee all the days of my life: for blessed and
glorified art thou unto all ages. Amen.
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Prayers
from the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Prayer Society of St.
Nectarios
Parish Renewal (Monday)
O Lord, Who did send down Your Most Holy Spirit upon Your Apostles at the
third hour and changed the simple fishermen into 'fishers of men', so now
we ask of You to help us consciously recognize the presence of the Holy
Spirit in our lives and in the lives of our parishes and our diocese. May
our lives continue to be worthy Temples of the Holy Spirit. May we be
mindful of the continuous Pentecost, the constant outpouring of the Holy
Spirit upon us, our families, our parishes and our diocese. May we do
nothing to grieve the Holy Spirit, but may our lives be acceptable to Him
Who will bring us to the knowledge of Truth, the knowledge of Your Son and
our God. O God, look down graciously upon us from Your holy dwelling place
and pour forth your abundant mercies and blessings upon our Diocesan
Parishes which You have raised for the honor and glory of Your all-holy
Name. As your Most Holy Son walked here on earth so let Him ever be
present in our parishes and may all of us find Him walking in our midst.
As You sent Your Most Holy Spirit upon Your Apostles at the Feast of
Pentecost, so we continue to implore and beg of You take not Your Holy
Spirit from us, but renew Him in us who pray to You. For You are the Giver
and the Herald of the Way of our salvation, now and ever and forever.
Amen.
Harvest 2000/Evangelization (Tuesday)
O God of truth and love, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, hear our prayer for
those who do not know You, that they may come to a saving knowledge of the
truth and that Your Name may be praised among all peoples of the world.
Sustain, inspire, and enlighten Your servants who bring them the Gospel.
Bring fresh vigor to wavering faith; sustain our faith when it is still
fragile. Grant them wisdom and courage to proclaim Your message
effectively, to endure the hardships they face, to trust in Your mercy,
and to see all their sufferings as part of the suffering Your dear Son
Jesus Christ endured on the cross and let the joy of the Holy Spirit
working in their lives ever strengthen them in their resolve to see Christ
proclaimed in every nation. Continually renew missionary zeal in ourselves
and in the Church, and raise up new missionaries who will follow You to
the ends of the world. Make us witnesses to Your goodness, full of love,
of strength and of faith, for Your glory and for the salvation of the
entire world. Through the Prayers of St. Paul, Saints Cyril and Methodius,
St. Rostislav of Moravia, St. Maxym Sandovich, St. Herman of Alaska, St.
Innocent the Enlightener and all the missionary saints, have mercy on us
and save us. Amen.
Vocations/Seminary (Wednesday)
O Lord, the High Priest of God's people, You have shown us that it is Your
will that men be called to the service of Your Holy Church. From the ranks
of fishermen, You called Andrew and Peter and James and John, and made
them and their successors in every age to be the "fisher of men." We, your
people in this age, call upon Your great love to inspire for our churches,
young men to be Your future priests. Touch their lives with Your Holy
Spirit; give them the courage to answer Your call and the strength to work
all the days of their life for Your service. Continue to shower upon our
Diocesan Seminary Your choicest blessings and make us aware of her needs
so that it may continue to be a place where the souls of those called to
Your service may be trained and prepared to teach and preach, to pray and
labor, to forgive and heal - to care in every way as priests of Your fold,
O Good Shepherd. You told us with Your precious lips, "Without me, you can
do nothing." As we call upon Your Name for more vocations, O Great High
Priest, hear us and have mercy.
Youth/Camp Nazareth (Thursday)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who embraced and blessed the little children when
they came to You, and said: "Let the little children come to me, and do
not stop them. The kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these; and their
angels ever see the face of my Father," we beg You to look with favor on
the innocence of our Diocesan Youth and on the devotion of their parents,
and bless them. Let them ever advance in Your grace and goodness, the
better to know You, love You, fear You, and serve You, and happily reach
their blessed destiny. Strengthen our Diocesan Youth with heavenly grace,
so that they may grasp with their minds, treasure in their hearts, and
carry out in their deeds all the teachings that lead to salvation. Look
with favor upon our Camp Nazareth, built for the education and salvation
of our Youth. Command Your angels to guard it and to drive away from it
all power of the enemy. For You are the enlightenment of our souls and
bodies, O Christ our God, and we give glory to You, together with Your
eternal Father and Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and
ever and forever. Amen.
Monastics/Monasticism (Friday)
O Lord, You commanded that anyone who would be perfect should go and sell
what they have and give to the poor, and they will have treasure in
heaven; and come, follow You, so now do we humbly beseech You to guide
Your servants to take upon themselves the monastic yoke, and learn from
You for You are gentle and You will find rest for their souls. For Your
yoke is easy, and Your burden is light. Grant to Your humble servants
grace, peace, love, patience, vigilance, and prayerful discernment in the
monastic life. Lead them into Your spiritual dwelling place, O Lord our
God, and enroll them in Your monastic flock of reason endowed sheep.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers and spiritual mothers, O Lord,
have mercy and save them. Amen.
Departed (Saturday)
O God of spirits and of all flesh, Who has conquered death and destroyed
Satan and Who has granted life to Your world: O Lord, rest the soul(s) of
Your departed servant(s) (name) in a serene, luxuriant and peaceful place
where all pain and sorrow and lamentation are absent. As a gracious God
Who loves mankind, forgive all transgressions committed by (him, her,
them) by word or deed or thought, for there is no one living who does not
sin; You alone are without sin, Your truth is truth in eternity and Your
word is truth. For You are the resurrection, life and repose of Your
departed servant(s) (name) O Christ our God, and we give glory to You and
to Your eternal Father and You most holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit,
now and ever and forever. Amen.
Diocesan Clergy (Sunday)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Good Shepherd of Your sheep, light the fire of ardent
love in the hearts of all Your priests, that they may ever and in all
things seek only Your glory. Remember especially, Lord, our Bishop (name),
and our spiritual father (name), and all our diocesan clergy, who are
laboring in Your vineyard for the salvation of all those whom You have
entrusted to them. Make their lives as holy as the word they preach. Keep
them from being discouraged. Hear their prayers for our salvation. Give
them wisdom and courage to proclaim Your truth. Make them priests after
Your own heart. For You are a merciful God Who loves us and to You we give
glory, together with Your eternal Father and Your all-holy, good and
life-giving- Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
+++++++++++++++ Prayers For
Various Needs
The Jesus Prayer
Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
A Prayer Before Reading the Bible
Master Who loves mankind, illuminate our hearts with the pure light of
Your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our mind to understand the
teaching of Your Gospel. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed
commandments, that we may overcome all carnal desires, entering upon a
spiritual life and understanding and acting in all things according to
Your holy will. For You are the enlightenment of our souls and bodies, O
Christ God, ad to You we give glory together with Your eternal Father and
Your all-holy, gracious and life-giving Spirit, now and ever and forever.
Amen.
A Prayer for the Acceptance of God's Will
Lord, I do not know what to ask of You. You alone know what my real needs
are. You love me more than I myself know how to love. Help me to see my
real needs which are hidden from me. I am afraid to ask for either a cross
or consolation. I can only wait on You. My heart is open to You. Visit me
and help me for the sake of Your great mercy. Strike me and heal me, cast
me down and raise me up. In silence I worship Your holy will and Your ways
which are beyond my understanding. I offer myself as a sacrifice to You. I
put all my trust in You. I want nothing more than to fulfill Your will.
Teach me how to pray. Pray Yourself in me. Amen.
A Prayer in Times of Despair
Lord, it is so easy to walk with You when things go well and nothing seems
wrong. Yet, now I feel as Peter must have felt as he saw You walk towards
him on the open sea. He tried to come to You and then lost hope and began
to sink. When I am down, come to me as You came to Peter. Help me, even
though my faith seems weak.
A Prayer for the Sick
Christ, You alone are prompt to defend us; quickly visit Your suffering
servant (name). Through the prayers of the Mother of God, deliver (him,
her) from sickness and bitter pain. Heal (him, her) so that (he, she) may
sing to You and always praise You - for You alone love us.
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Prayer of Saint Basil the Great
O God and Lord of the Powers, and Maker of all creation, Who, because of
Thy clemency and incomparable mercy, didst send Thine Only-Begotten Son
and our Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind, and with His
venerable Cross didst tear asunder the record of our sins, and thereby
didst conquer the rulers and powers of darkness; receive from us sinful
people, O merciful Master, these prayers of gratitude and supplication,
and deliver us from every destructive and gloomy transgression, and from
all visible and invisible enemies who seek to injure us. Nail down our
flesh with fear of Thee, and let not our hearts be inclined to words or
thoughts of evil, but pierce our souls with Thy love, that ever
contemplating Thee, being enlightened by Thee, and discerning Thee, the
unapproachable and everlasting Light, we may unceasingly render confession
and gratitude to Thee: The eternal Father, with Thine Only-Begotten Son,
and with Thine All-Holy, Gracious, and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever,
and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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Prayer of Saint
John Chrysostom
According to the Hours of the Day and Night
1. O Lord, deprive me not of Thy heavenly blessings;
2. O Lord, deliver me from eternal torment;
3. O Lord, if I have sinned in my mind or thought, in word deed, forgive
me.
4. O Lord, deliver me from every ignorance and heedlessness, from
pettiness of the soul and stony hardness of heart;
5. O Lord, deliver me from every temptation;
6. O Lord, enlighten my heart darkened by evil desires;
7. O Lord, I, being a human being, have sinned; do Thou, being God,
forgive me in Thy lovingkindness, for Thou knowest the weakness of my
soul.
8.
O Lord, send down Thy grace to help me, that I may glorify Thy holy
Name;
9. O Lord Jesus Christ, inscribe me, Thy servant, in the Book of Life, and
grant me a blessed end;
10. O Lord my God, even if I have done nothing good in Thy sight, yet
grant me, according to Thy grace, that I may make a start in doing good.
11. O Lord, sprinkle on my heart the dew of Thy grace;
12. O Lord of heaven and earth, remember me, Thy sinful servant, cold of
heart and impure, in Thy Kingdom.
13. O Lord, receive me in repentance;
14. O Lord, leave me not;
15. O Lord, save me from temptation;
16. O Lord, grant me pure thoughts;
17. O Lord, grant me tears of repentance, remembrance of death, and the
sense of peace;
18. O Lord, grant me mindfulness to confess my sins;
19. O Lord, grant me humility, charity, and obedience;
20. O Lord, grant me tolerance, magnanimity, and gentleness;
21.
O Lord, implant in me the root of all blessings: the fear of Thee in
my heart;
22. O Lord, vouchsafe that I may love Thee with all my heart and soul, and
that I may obey in all things Thy will;
23. O Lord, shield me from evil persons and devils and passions and all
other lawless matters;
24. O Lord, Who knowest Thy creation and that which Thou hast willed for
it; may Thy will also be fulfilled in me, a sinner, for Thou art blessed
forevermore. Amen.
+++++++++++++++ Prayer of
Saint Ephraim
O Lord and Master of my life,
Grant not unto me a spirit of idleness,
of discouragement, of lust for power,
and of vain speaking.
But bestow upon me, Thy servant,
the spirit of chastity, of meekness, of patience,
and of love.
Yea, O Lord and King,
grant that I may perceive my own transgressions,
and judge not my brother,for blessed art Thou
unto ages of ages.
Amen.
+++++++++++++++ Prayer for the
Living
O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, in Thy mercies and lovingkindness Thou
regardest the humble prayers of all who call upon Thee with their whole
heart; incline Thine ear and hear now my prayer, offered to Thee in
humility:
Be Mindful, O Lord, of Thy Holy, Universal and Apostolic Church; confirm
and strengthen her, increase her and keep her in peace, and preserve her
unconquerable forever.
Be mindful, O Lord, of our bishop, (your bishop's name), and of every
bishop of the Orthodox Church; the priests and deacons, and all the clergy
of the Church, which Thou hast established to feed the flock of Thy word;
and by their prayers have mercy upon me and save me, a sinner.
Be mindful, O Lord, of all civil authorities, of our armed forces, of this
city in which we reside, and of every city and the countryside; grant them
peaceful times, that we, in their tranquility, may lead a calm and
peaceful life in all godliness and sanctity.
Be mindful, O Lord, of my parents, (their names), of my brothers and
sisters, (their names), of relatives, (their names), and of my friends,
(their names); grant that they may have mercy, life, peace, health,
salvation and visitation, pardon and remission of their sins; that they
may ever praise and glorify Thy Holy Name.
Be mindful, O Lord, of those who travel by land, by sea, and by air; of
the old and young, the sick, the suffering, the sorrowing, the afflicted,
the captives, the needy and the poor; and upon them all send forth Thy
mercies, for Thou art the Giver of all good things.
Be mindful, O Lord, of me, Thy humble servant; grant me Thy grace, that I
may be diligent and faithful, avoiding evil company and influence,
resisting temptation; that I may lead a godly and righteous life,
blameless and peaceful, ever serving Thee; that I may be accounted worthy
of entering the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.
+++++++++++++++ Prayer for
Parents
O merciful Lord God, Thou hast commanded and enjoined me to honor my
father and mother, and Thou Thyself hast shown even until death humble
obedience to Thy Father. From the depth of my soul I fervently beseech
Thee, O gracious Jesus Christ, my God, hear my prayer and have mercy upon
my parents, who have given birth to me and are bringing me up in Thy grace
and love. Protect them from all evil, harm and sickness; grant them
health, and mercifully pour forth Thy bountiful blessings upon them. Bless
their efforts and deeds; have mercy on them according to Thy great mercy,
that faithfully serving Thee, through them I also may be worthy to praise
and serve Thee. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, bless my father and mother, my guardians,
and those who are in authority over me, for their love and tender care for
me, and the benefits I receive at their hands. Help me, I pray Thee, to be
respectful and obedient to them in all matters according to Thy will; and
give me Thy grace to perform all my duties carefully and faithfully, to
avoid undesirable company and influence, and resist all temptation that
may come my way; that I may live a sober, righteous and godly life, ever
praising Thee and glorifying Thy Holy Name. Amen.
Prayer for Enemies
Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst command us to love our enemies, and those who
defame and injure us, and to pray for them and forgive them; Who Thyself
didst pray for Thine enemies, who crucified thee: grant us, we pray, the
spirit of Christian reconciliation and meekness, that we may heartily
forgive every injury and be reconciled with our enemies. Grant us to
overcome the malevolence and offences of people with Christian meekness
and true love of our neighbor. We further beseech Thee, O Lord, to grant
to our enemies true peace and forgiveness of sins; and do not allow them
to leave this life without true faith and sincere conversion. And help us
repay evil with goodness, and to remain safe from the temptations of the
devil and from all the perils which threaten us, in the form of visible
and invisible enemies. Amen.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
O Lord my Savior and my Master, I, Thine unprofitable servant, with fear
and trembling give thanks unto Thy loving goodness for all Thy benefits
which Thou hast poured so abundantly upon me, Thy servant. I fall down in
adoration before Thee and offer Thee, O god, my praises; with fervor I cry
to Thee: O God, deliver me henceforth from all adversities and mercifully
fulfill in me such of my desires as may be expedient for me. Hear me, I
entreat Thee, and have mercy, for Thou art the Hope of all the ends of the
earth, and unto Thee, with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, be ascribed
glory, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
I praise Thee, O God of our Fathers, I hymn Thee, I bless Thee, I give
thanks unto thee for Thy great and tender mercy. To Thee I flee, O
merciful and mighty God. Shine into my heart with the True Sun of Thy
righteousness. Enlighten my mind and keep all my senses, that henceforth I
may walk uprightly and keep Thy commandments, and may finally attain unto
eternal life, even to Thee, Who art the source of life, and be admitted to
the glorious fruition of Thy inaccessible Light. For Thou art my God, and
unto Thee, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit, be ascribed glory, now and ever
and unto ages of ages. Amen.
At the
Commencement of Any Work
Bless, O Lord.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Only-begotten Son of Thy Eternal Father, Thou hast
said with Thy most holy lips: "Without Me, you can do nothing." My Lord
and my God, in faith I embrace Thy words with my heart and soul, and bow
before Thy goodness; help me, a sinner, to do in union with Thee this work
which I am about to begin, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
After the
Completion of Any Work
Glory to Thee, O Lord.
Thou, O my Christ, art the sum and fullness of all that is good; fill my
soul with joy and gladness, and save me, for Thou alone art all-merciful.
Amen.
Before
Lessons.
Most gracious Lord! Send down upon us the grace of Thy Holy Spirit to
grant us intelligence and strengthen the powers of our soul, that we may
attend to the instruction given us, and grow up to glorify Thee, our
Creator, to gladden our parents, and to serve the Church and our people.
After Lessons.
We thank Thee, our Creator, that Thou hast granted us Thy grace to attend
to this instruction. Bless our parents and teachers who are leading us to
knowledge of good, and grant us energy and strength to persevere in our
studies.
+++++++++++++++
For Those Departed in Sleep
Remember, O Lord, those who have departed
from this life, Orthodox kings and queens, princes and princesses,
Orthodox Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Archbishops and Bishops, Priests and
Deacons and those who have served Thee in the Monastic State, and the
laity of the Church, and the blessed founders of all Churches and
monasteries, and grant them rest with the Saints in Thy eternal dwellings.
Bow.
Prayer of Remembrance for Parents Departed in Sleep
Remember, O Lord, the souls of Thy
servants who have departed in sleep, my parents (names), and all my
relatives according to the flesh; forgive them every transgression,
voluntary and involuntary; grant them the Kingdom and a part in Thy
eternal joys, and the delight of Thy blessed and everlasting life. Bow.
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