| DAILY PRAYERS |
ABOUT PRAYER
One of the first requests made by the disciples to Jesus was, "Lord, teach us to pray..." (Luke 11:1). The Jewish people of Jerusalem were above all a praying people, and this tradition of prayer was continued by the earliest Christians.
What is prayer? Bishop Theophan, a famous Orthodox spiritual writer of the last century, tells us:" In prayer man converses with God, he enters through grace into communion with Him, and lives in God...Prayer is the raising of the mind and heart to God in praise and thanksgiving to Him and in supplication for the good things we need, both spiritual and physical."
Prayer is the key and cornerstone of our relationship with our Lord. Without prayer, there is no relationship with God. The "Good News" of the Gospel is that the unknowable and faceless God of the Old Testament has revealed Himself to the world; through the Incarnation of Jesus, God now has a "face"; through the Person of Jesus Christ we can enter a personal relationship with God. (John 14:6). Through prayer we can enter into this relationship with God; through prayer He reveals His will to us.
In Orthodox prayer books, you will find many written prayers for different needs. These are the prayers of the righteous men and women of times past, people who were teachers and guides in the spiritual life. They are valuable to teach us how to pray, to give us words to speak because we often don't know what to say in the presence of God. Jesus Himself used such prayers in His life. Among His last words from the Cross is the well-known prayer, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" - the first verse of Psalm 22.
There is no magic formula that will make us spiritual people who are filled with the Holy Spirit. We must make the effort to cooperate with the Holy Spirit, Who was given to each of us at our Baptism and Chrismation. At times we will find it difficult to pray, but if we persevere, the Lord will reward our efforts with the joy of His presence through the Holy Spirit.
The Church Fathers advise us to have a person to help us in our prayer-life. The person who can best help us is our parish priest. Speak with him about having a better and richer relationship with the Lord. Always remember that it is not enough to simply repeat the words of a prayer. Rather, all of our prayers must come from both our mind and our heart. Anything less is simply not prayer.
Through prayer that is sincere and heartfelt, through a frequent and worth reception of the Sacraments, through reading the words of the Lord and Apostles inscribed by the Holy Spirit on the pages of the Scriptures, "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7) - (Adapted from the introduction to the Come to Me Prayer Book published by the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of Johnstown, PA 1986)
The prayers provided here are for your spiritual edification, to assist you in your quest for spiritual growth and communion with God. They represents excerpts from the Come to Me Prayer Book of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese. Should you wish to purchase a copy you may order it from Christ The Saviour Orthodox Seminary , Email Address: seminary@prodigy.net. Should you wish more information regarding prayer or the spiritual life please feel free to Email Father Peter Paproski at rppaproski@snet.net.
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to You our God Glory to You!
O heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who are in all places and fill all things; Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell within us and cleanse us form every impurity and save our souls, O blessed One. (If it is during the Paschal Season this is replaced by Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and to those in the tombs, bestowing life.)
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. (Three Times)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; O Lord, cleanse us of our sins; O Master, forgive our transgressions; O Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for Your Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three Times)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
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. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Lord Have Mercy. (Twelve Times)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Come, let us adore God, our King.
Come let us adore Christ, our King and our God.
Come let us adore and bow down to Christ Himself, our King and our God.
Rising from sleep I worship You, O Good One, singing You the hymn the angels chant, O Mighty One: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O God! Through the prayers of Your angels, have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
You have raised me from my bed and sleep. Lord, fill my mind and heart with Your light, and open my lips to sing to You, Most Holy Trinity: Holy, Holy, Holy, are You, O God! Through the prayers of Your Saints, have mercy on us.
Now and ever and forever. Amen.
Without a warning the Judge will come, and what everyone has done will be revealed. In awe then, I sing my morning hymn to You: Holy , holy, holy are You, O God! Through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, have mercy on us.
Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleans me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and blameless in Your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward being; therefore, teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Fill me with joy and gladness; let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Create a clean heart in me, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You. Deliver me from death, O God, You, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of our deliverance.
Lord, You will open my lips, and my mouth will show forth Your praise. For You have no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, You would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
Do good to Zion in Your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, then will You delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.
Prayers to the Birth-giver of God
O Birth-giver of God, my most holy Lady! Unworthy as I am, I beg you,: by your holy and powerful prayers, cleanse my clouded mind and bruised heart. Free me from the memories of sins long gone by. Rescue me from every inclination to do wrong. In your goodness help me, for I am poor and lost. For you are praised by all generations, and your glorious name is honored forever.
Hail Mary, full of grace, O Virgin Birth-giver of God, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have given birth to Christ, the Saviour and deliverer of our souls.
Under your protection, we hasten, O Virgin Birth-giver of God. Do not turn away from us in our time of need, but pure and blessed Lady, save us!
Pray to God for me, O Saint (The Name of Your Patron Saint), well pleasing to God. I place myself in your care as my intercessor with the Lord.
You are truly deserving of glory, O Birth-giver of God, the ever-blessed and most pure Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who as a Virgin gave birth to the Word of God, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify you.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three Times)
Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, for the sake of Your most pure Mother, our venerable and God-bearing fathers, and all the saints, save me, a sinner. Amen.
A Prayer at the Beginning of the Day
. O Lord, allow me to greet the coming day in peace. Help me in all things to rely upon Your holy will. In every hour of the day, reveal Your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul, and with the firm conviction that Your will governs all. In what I do and say guide my thoughts and feelings. In unexpected events, do not let me forget that all things are sent by You. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without making others bitter or embarrassing them. Give me the strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day and everything that it will bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray Yourself in me. Amen.
In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to You our God Glory to You!
O heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who are in all places and fill all things; Treasury of blessings and Giver of life, come and dwell within us and cleanse us from every impurity and save our souls, O blessed One. (If it is during the Paschal Season this is replaced by Christ is Risen from the dead, trampling down death by death and to those in the tombs, bestowing life.)
Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us. (Three Times)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; O Lord, cleanse us of our sins; O Master, forgive our transgressions; O Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for Your Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three Times)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
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. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Lord Have Mercy. (Twelve Times)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Come, let us adore God, our King.
Come let us adore Christ, our King and our God.
Come let us adore and bow down to Christ Himself, our King and our God.
The day is now over, Lord: I thank You. Let this evening and this night pass without sin, O Saviour , and save me.
Glory to the father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit:
Now that the day is over, Master: I glorify You and ask that this evening and night be without sin.
Now and ever and forever. Amen.
Now that the day has run its course, Holy One: I praise You and ask that this evening and night may be without sin; grant this, O Saviour and save me!
Psalm 4
Answer me when I call, O God Who pleads my cause. You have given me room when I was in distress. Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer!
O men, how long shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain word and seek after lies? But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for Himself; the Lord hears when I call to Him.
Be angry, but sin not; commune with your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.
There are many who say, "O that we might see some good! Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O Lord!"
You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Prayer to God The Father
Eternal God, King of all creation, Who has allowed me to reach this hour, forgive me the sins which I have committed this day in thought, word and deed, and cleanse me, Lord, from every stain of flesh and spirit. Let me sleep through this night in peace, to rise from my bed and to please Your Holy Name the rest of my life, and to conquer the dark spiritual forces that fight against me. Deliver me from all false pride and evil desires. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
A Prayer to God the Son
Almighty Lord, Word of the Father, Jesus Christ, Who Yourself are perfect, for the sake of Your great mercy, never depart from me, but dwell in me forever. O Jesus, Good Shepherd of your sheep, deliver me from the attacks of the evil one. Lord Jesus Christ, Holy King, keep me while I sleep in the unchanging light of Your Holy Spirit, the Spirit with which You sanctified Your disciples. Enlighten my mind with the light of understanding Your holy Gospel, my soul with the love of Your Cross, my heart with the purity of Your Word, my body with Your sacred Passion, my senses with Your humility, and awaken me at the proper time to glorify You. For You, above all are adorable, together with Your eternal Father and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
A Prayer to God the Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit, most merciful Comforter: You proceed from the Father in a way we cannot understand. Come, I ask You, and dwell in my heart. Purify and cleanse me from all sin, and sanctify my soul. Cleanse it from every impurity, water its dryness, melt its coldness, save it from the paths of sin. Teach me humility that I may be pleasing to You, that You will dwell in me forever. Most blessed Light, comforting Light, enlighten me. Joy of paradise, fountain of delight, my God, give Yourself to me; kindle within me the fire of Your love. My Lord, instruct, direct and defend me in all things.. Give me strength against all my fears and keep me from despair. Give me a faith that is real, a firm hope, and a sincere and perfect love. Let me always do Your most holy will. Amen.
A Prayer to the Mother of God
Loving Mother of our Good King, pure and blessed Virgin Mary: pour the grace of your Son and our God into my restless soul. Lead me by your prayers to always do the right thing, so that I may spend my whole life without blame and reach paradise through your prayers, Mother of God, for you are pure and blessed forever.
A Prayer to the Holy Trinity
The Father is my hope; the Son is my refuge, the Holy Spirit is my protection. O Holy Trinity, glory be to You!
You are truly deserving of glory, O Birth-giver of God, the ever-blessed and most pure Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, who as a Virgin gave birth to the Word of God, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify you.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Three Times)
Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, for the sake of Your most pure Mother, our venerable and God-bearing fathers, and all the saints, save me, a sinner. Amen.
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.