“If you are not successful in prayer, you will not be successful in anything, for prayer is the foundation of everything.”

– St Theophan the Recluse

Prayer is one of our most important and often neglected activities.  Below are some common traditional Orthodox prayers for your use. 

Morning and Evening Prayers

+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

+Glory to Thee O Lord, glory to Thee!

O Heavenly King, The Comforter, The Spirit of Truth Who art everywhere and fills all thingsThe Treasury of Blessings and The Giver of LifeCome and abide in us, And cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.

+Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.  (3X)

+Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.  Amen.

O Most holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Maser, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.

Lord have mercy.  Lord have mercy.  Lord have mercy.

+Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.  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 the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.  Amen.

+Come, let us worship God our King!

+Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God!

+Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God!

Morning Prayer

Arising from sleep, I thank You, O Most Holy Trinity, that, for the sake of Your great kindness and longsuffering, You have not had indignation against me, for I am slothful and sinful.  Neither have You destroyed me in my transgression.  But You have shown Your customary love toward mankind and have raised me up as I lay in heedlessness, that I might sing my morning hymn and glorify Your sovereignty.  Enlighten the eyes of my understanding, open my ears to receive Your words, and teach me Your commandments.  Help me to sing to You, to confess You from my heart, and to praise Your All-Holy Name:  of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.  Amen.

Evening Prayer

O eternal God, O King of all creation, Who have kept me safe to attain to this hour, forgive me the sins which I have committed this day in thought, word, and deed.  And cleanse, O Lord, , my humble soul from every stain of flesh and spirit:  Grant me, O Lord, to pass this night in peace, to rise from my bed, and to please You holy Name all the days of my life, and to vanquish the enemies, both corporeal and incorporeal, that contend against me.  Deliver me, O Lord, from the vain thoughts that stain  me, and from evil desires.  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 unto ages of ages.  Amen.

The Creed

I believe in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.  And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages.  Light of Light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man.  And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried.  And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose Kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified:  who spoke by the prophets.  In one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.  I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins.  I look for the resurrection of the dead, and life of the world to come.  Amen.

Psalm 50/51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love; according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in thy judgment.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sins did my mother conceive me.

Behold, thou desirest 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 thou hast broken rejoice.

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners will return to thee.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of thy deliverance.

O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.

For thou hast no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst not be pleased.

The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Do good to Zion in thy good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,

then wilt thou delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on thy altar.

Prayer for the Acceptance of God’s Will

O LORD, I know not what ask of Thee.  Thou alone knowest what are my true needs.  Thou lovest me more then I myself know how to love.  Help me to see my real needs which are concealed from me.  I dare not ask either a cross of consolation.  I can only wait on Thee.  My heart is open to Thee.  Visit and help me, for thy great mercy ‘s sake.  Strike me and heal me, cast me down and raise me up.  I worship in silence Thy holy will and Thine inscrutable ways.  I offer myself as a sacrifice to thee.  I put all my trust in Thee.  I have no other desire then to fulfill thy will.  Teach me how to pray.  Pray Thou Thyself in me.  Amen.The Psalms

Morning Evening

Sunday                        Psalm 5                        Psalm 70

Monday                      Psalm 90                      Psalm 143

Tuesday                      Psalm 101                   Psalm 141

Wednesday                Psalm 3                        Psalm 130

Thursday                       Psalm 63                      Psalm 130

Friday                           Psalm 103                     Psalm 17

Saturday                       Psalm 5                        Psalm 51

(Read Epistle & Gospel of the day as time permits.)

Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Your mercies and loving kindnesses, which have been from everlasting, and for the sake of which You did become man and deign to endure crucifixion and death for the salvation of all who rightly believe in You.  You rose from the dead and ascended into heaven, and sit at the right hand of God the Father, and regard the humble prayers of all who call upon You with their whole heart.  Incline Your ear and hear the humble entreaty of me, Your unprofitable servant, who offers it for an odor of spiritual fragrance for all Your people.

And first of all remember Your Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church which You have purchased with Your precious blood.  Confirm and strengthen it, enlarge and multiply it, keep it in peace, and preserve it unconquerable by the gates of hell forever.  Heal the schisms of the churches, quench the raging of the heathen, speedily undo and root out the growths of heresies, and bring them to naught by the power of Your Holy Spirit.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon all world rulers, on our president (name), and all our civil authorities and our armed forces.  Speak peace and blessing in their hearts for Your Holy Church and for all Your people, in order that we may live a calm and peaceful life, in all godliness and dignity.

Save O Lord, and have mercy upon Patriarchs, Metropolitans, Archbishops, Priests, and Deacons, and the whole clergy of Your Church, which You have established to feed the flock of Your word, and by their prayers have mercy upon me, and save me, a sinner.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon my spiritual father (name) and by his holy prayers forgive me my transgressions.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon my parents (names), my spouse (name), my brothers and sisters (names), my children (names), my kinsmen after the flesh, and my friends, and grant them Your blessings both here and hereafter.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon the old, the young, the needy, the orphans and the widows, and on all that are in sickness and sorrow, in distress and affliction, in oppression and captivity, in prison and confinement.  More especially have mercy upon Your servants who are under persecution for Your sake and for the sake of the Orthodox Faith at the hands of heathen nations, of apostates, and of heretics:  remember them, visit, strengthen, keep, and comfort them, and make haste to grant them, by Your power, relief, freedom, and deliverance.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon all who are sent on duty, all who travel, our fathers, brothers, and sisters, and upon all true Christians.

Save, O Lord, and have mercy upon those who envy and affront me, and do me harm, and do not let them perish through me, a sinner.

Those who depart from the Orthodox Faith, dazzled by destroying heresies, enlighten by the light of Your holy wisdom, and unite them to Your Holy, Apostolic, Catholic Church.

[Add here any additional petitions]

Prayer for the Beginning of the Day

O Lord, grant 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 firm conviction that Your will governs all.  In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings.  In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by You.  Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others.  Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that is shall bring.  Direct my will, teach me to pray, and You, Yourself, pray in me.  Amen.

A Prayer

O Christ our God, who at all times and in every hour in heaven and on earth are worshiped and glorified; who are longsuffering, merciful, and compassionate; who love the just and show mercy upon sinners; who call all to salvation through the promise of the good things to come; O Lord, in this hour receive our supplications and direct our lives according to Your commandments.  Sanctify our souls, purify our bodies, correct our thoughts, cleanse our minds; deliver us from all tribulation, evil, and distress.  Surround us with Your holy angels, so that guided and guarded by them, we may attain to the unity of the Faith and to the full knowledge of Your unapproachable glory.  For You are blessed unto ages of ages.  Amen.

To the Theotokos

It is truly right to bless you, O Theotokos, ever blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God.  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 (three times)

 

Just Before Going to Sleep

Into Your hands, O Lord Jesus Christ, I commend my spirit and body; bless me, save me, and grant me eternal life.  Amen.

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy upon us and save us.  Amen.

A Prayer of a Single Person

O Blessed Lord, who hast set up for us an example of ideal purity, strengthen me, I beseech Thee, when temptation besets me, and when strong passions seek to overwhelm me, that I may remain constant in virtue and innocent in thought, word, and deed, doing such things that are well-pleasing unto Thee.  Grant me growth in wisdom and understanding, that I may serve Thee in holiness all the days of my life; through the intercessions of Thy all-pure Mother and of all Thy saints, especially my patron Saint (Name).  Amen.

A Prayer of Married Persons

O merciful God, we beseech Thee ever to remind us that the married state is holy, and that we must keep it so.  Grant us Thy Grace, that we may continue in faithfulness and love.  Increase in us the spirit of mutual understanding and trust, that no quarrel or strife may come between us.  Grant us Thy blessings, that we may stand before the people and in Thy sight as an ideal family.  And by Thy mercy, account us worthy of everlasting life: for Thou art our sanctification, 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 Parents for Their Children and for Relatives and Friends

O God, our heavenly Father, who lovest mankind, and art most merciful and compassionate, have mercy upon Thy servants (NN.) for whom I humbly pray Thee, and whom I commend to Thy gracious care and protection.  Be Thou, O God, their guide and guardian in all their endeavors.  Lead them in the path of Thy truth, and draw them nearer to Thee, that they may lead a godly and righteous life in Thy love and fear, doing Thy will in all things.  Give them grace that they may be temperate, industrious, diligent, devout, and charitable.  Defend them against the assaults of the enemy, and grant them wisdom and strength to resist all temptation and corruption of this life.  Direct them in the way of salvation, through the mercy of Thy Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, and the intercessions of his Holy Mother and Thy blessed Saints.  Amen.

A Prayer of Children for Their Parents

Our Father, who art in Heaven, bless my Father and Mother 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 things according to Thy will.  Give me Thy grace to perform all my duties carefully and faithfully, to avoid undesirable company and influence, and to resist all temptations that may come my way.  Abide in me always, that I may live a sober, righteous and godly life, ever praising Thee, and glorifying Thy Holy Name.  Amen.

A Prayer for Our Enemies

Thou who didst pray for them that crucified Thee, O Lord, the Lover of mankind, and who didst command Thy servants to pray for their enemies, forgive those who hate and maltreat us, and turn our lives from all harm and evil to brotherly love and good works.  For this we humbly bring our prayer, that with one accord and one heart we may glorify Thee who alone lovest mankind.  Amen.

A Prayer for the Sick

O Holy Father, heavenly Physician of our souls and bodies, who hast sent Thine only-begotten Son and our Lord Jesus Christ to heal our diseases and deliver us from death.  Do Thou visit and heal Thy servant (N.), granting (him/her) release from pain and restoration to health and life, that (he/she) may give thanks unto Thee and bless Thy Holy Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.  Amen.

A Prayer for the Departed

Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend the souls Thy servants (NN.), and beseech Thee to grant them rest in the place of Thy rest, where all Thy blessed Saints repose, and where the light of Thy countenance shineth forever.  And I beseech Thee also to grant that our present lives may be godly, sober, and blameless; that we too may be made worthy to enter into Thy heavenly Kingdom with those whom we love but see no longer: for Thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of Thy departed servants, O Christ our God, 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 age Amen.

Prayers Before a Meal

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, bless this food and beverage of ours through the intercessions of Thy most pure Mother and all Thy saints.  Amen.

They that hunger shall eat and be satiated; they that seek after the Lord shall praise Him; their hearts shall live forever.  Amen.

Bless us, O Lord, and these gifts of which we are about to partake, for Thou art blessed and glorified, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.  Amen.

A Prayer Before Lessons

O Most merciful God, send us the grace of Thy Holy Spirit, Who enlightens and strengthens our spiritual powers.  Help us to be attentive to the teaching presented, that we may grow up for the glory of Thee, our Creator, for the joy of our parents, and for the benefit of our Church and of our country.  Amen.

A Prayer of Repentance

O Lord our God, good and merciful, I acknowledge all my sins which I have committed every day of my life, in thought, word and deed; in body and soul alike.  I am truly sorry that I have ever offended Thee, and I sincerely repent.  With tears I humbly pray Thee, O Lord: because of Thy mercy forgive me all my past transgressions and absolve me from them.  I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy Grace, to amend my way of life and to sin no more; that I may walk in the way of righteousness and offer praise and glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Prayer for the Acceptance of God’s Will

O Lord, I know not what to ask of Thee.  Thou alone knowest what are my true needs.  Thou lovest me more than I myself know how to love.  Help me to see my real needs which are concealed from me.  I dare not ask either a cross or consolation.  I can only wait on thee.  My heart is open to Thee.  Visit and help me, for thy great mercy’s sake.  Strike me and heal me, cast me down and raise me up.  I worship in silence Thy holy will and Thine inscrutable ways.  I offer myself as a sacrifice to Thee.  I put all my trust in Thee.  I have no other desire than to fulfill Thy will.  Teach me how to pray.  Pray Thou Thyself in me.  Amen.

The Prayer of St. Ioannikios

The Father is my hope; the Son is my refuge; the Holy Spirit is my protector.  O Holy Trinity, glory to Thee.

Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim

O Lord and Master of my life!  Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power and idle talk.

(prostration)

But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to your servant.

(prostration)

Yea, O Lord and King!  Grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages.  Amen.

(prostration)

O God cleanse me a sinner and have mercy on me (12X)

The Jesus Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.