Prayers

LORD:   DO NOT MAKE ME A CRUEL MAN SLAUGHTERING THE SHEEP, NOR A SHEEP SLAUGHTERED BY CRUEL MEN.
LORD:   HELP ME TO SAY THE WORD OF TRUTH IN FRONT OF THE POWERFUL, AND NOT SAY FALSEHOD IN ORDER TO GAIN THE APPLAUSE OF THE WEAK.
LORD:   IF YOU GIVE ME WEALTH, DO NOT TAKE AWAY MY HAPPINESS; AND, IF YOU GIVE ME POWER, DO NOT TAKE AWAY MY MIND.  IF YOU GIVE ME SUCCESS, DO NOT TAKE AWAY MY HUMILITY; AND, IF YOU GIVE ME HUMILITY, DO NOT TAKE AWAY MY DIGNITY.
LORD:   HELP ME TO SEE THE OTHER SIDE TO ANY SCENE, AND DO NOT LET ME ACCUSE MY FRIENDS BY BETRAYAL WHEN THEY DISAGREE WITH ME.
LORD:   TEACH ME TO LOVE OTHERS AS I LOVE MYSELF, AND TO JUDGE MYSELF AS I JUDGE OTHERS.
LORD: DO NOT LET ME FALL PREY TO PRIDE WHEN I SUCCEED, OR FALL INTO DESPAIR WHEN I FAIL.  REMIND ME ALWAYS THAT FAILURE IS THE TRIAL WHICH PROCEEDS SUCCESS.
LORD:   TEACH ME THAT FORGIVENESS IS THE HIGHEST RANK OF POWER; AND LOVE OF RETALIATION IS THE FIRST ASPECT OF WEAKNESS.
LORD:   IF YOU TAKE AWAY MY WEALTH, LEAVE ME WITH HOPE, AND IF YOU TAKE AWAY FROM ME SUCCESS, LEAVE ME WITH THE POWER OF STUBBORNNESS TO OVERCOME FAILURE; AND, IF YOU TAKE AWAY FROM ME HEALTH, LEAVE ME WITH FAITH.
LORD:   IF I HURT OTHERS, GIVE ME THE COURAGE TO APOLOGIZE, AND IF OTHERS HURT ME, GIVE ME THE COURAGE TO FORGIVE.
LORD:   IF I FORGET YOU, DO NOT FORGET ME.                      AMEN

(UNKNOWN AUTHOR, TRANSLATED FROM ARABIC BY FR. ATHANASIOS BITAR)

Christ my Lord, the Giver of light and wisdom, who opened the eyes of the blind man and transformed the fishermen into wise heralds and teachers of the gospel through the coming of the Holy Spirit, shine also in my mind the light of the grace of the Holy Spirit. Grant me discernment, understanding and wisdom in learning. Enable me to complete my assignments and to abound in every good work, for to You I give honor and glory. Amen.

Most blessed Lord, send the grace of Your Holy Spirit on me to strengthen me that I may learn well the subject I am about to study and by it become a better person for Your glory, the comfort of my family and the benefit of Your Church and our Nation. Amen

Christ, the true light, who enlightens and sanctifies every person coming into the world, let the light of Your countenance shine upon me (us) that I (we) may see Your unapproachable light; and guide my (our) steps in the way of Your commandments, through the intercessions of Your all-holy Mother and of all the Saints. Amen.

I thank You, Lord our God, that again on this occasion You have opened my eyes to the light of Your wisdom. You have gladdened my heart with the knowledge of truth. I entreat You, Lord, help me always to do Your will. Bless my soul and body, my words and deeds. Enable me to grow in grace, virtue and good habits, that Your name may be glorified, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Master who loves us, shine Your eternal light in our hearts that we may better know you. Help us to fully understand Your gospel message. Instill in us respect for Your holy commandments, that by overcoming our worldly desires we might life a spiritual life of thoughts and deeds which pleases You. We ask this of You, O Christ our god, for You are the light of our souls and bodies and You we glorify with Your eternal Father and Your all-holy good and life-giving Spirit now and forever. Amen.

Shine within my heart, loving Master, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of my mind that I may understand Your teachings. Instill in me also reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that having conquered sinful desires I may pursue a spiritual way of life, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ my God, are my light, and to You I give glory together with Your Father and Your Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Christ our eternal King and God, You have destroyed death and the devil by Your Cross and have restored man to life by Your Resurrection; give rest, Lord, to the soul of Your servant (name) who has fallen asleep, in Your Kingdom, where there is no pain, sorrow or suffering. In Your goodness and love for all men, pardon all the sins he (she) has committed in thought word or deed, for there is no man or woman who lives and sins not, You only are without sin.

For You are the Resurrection, the Life, and Repose of Your servant (name), departed this life, O Christ our God; and to You do we send up glory with Your Eternal Father and Your All-holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit; both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen

O Lord who watches over children in the present life and in the world to come because of their simplicity and innocence of mind, abundantly satisfying them with a place in Abraham’s bosom, bringing them to live in radiantly shining places where the spirits of the righteous dwell: receive in peace the soul of Your little servant (name), for You Yourself have said, “Let the little children come to Me, for such is the Kingdom of Heaven.” Amen.

O Sovereign Master, Lord our God, Who was born of the all-pure Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, and as an infant was laid in a manger: do You Yourself, according to Your great mercy, have regard for this Your servant (Name) who has miscarried that which was conceived in her. Heal her suffering, granting to her, O Loving Lord, health and strength of body and soul. Guard her with a shining Angel from every assault of sickness and weakness and all inward torment. You who accept the innocence of infancy in Your Kingdom, comfort the mind of Your servant and bring her peace. Amen.

Prayer of St. John Chrysostom
Lord, Jesus Christ my God, forgive the faults and sins which I, Your unworthy servant have committed from my youth to this day and hour, whether knowingly or in ignorance, whether by words, deeds, intentions or thoughts and whether by habit or through any of my senses. By the prayers of Your pure and Virgin Mother, make me worthy without condemnation to receive Your precious, immortal and life-giving Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. May the Eucharist sanctify, enlighten, strengthen and heal my soul and body and thus destroy my evil thoughts, intentions and prejudices. For Yours, Christ our God, is the Kingdom, the power, the glory, the honor and worship with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of St. John of Damascus
Master and Lord, Jesus Christ our God, You alone have authority to forgive my sins, whether committed knowingly or in ignorance, and make me worthy to receive without condemnation Your divine, glorious, pure and life-giving Mysteries, not for my punishment, but for my purification and sanctification, now and in Your future Kingdom. For You, Christ our God are compassionate and love mankind and to You we give glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit now and forever and ever. Amen.

I believe and confess, Lord, that You are truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first. I also believe that this is truly Your pure Body and that this is truly Your precious Blood. Therefore, I pray to You, have mercy upon me, and forgive my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, known and unknown. And make me worthy without condemnation to partake of Your pure Mysteries for the forgiveness of sins and for eternal life. Amen

How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the splendor of Your saints? If I dare to enter into the bridal chamber, my clothing will accuse me, since it is not a wedding garment; and being bound up, I shall be cast out by the angels. In Your love, Lord, cleanse my soul and save me.

Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, let not these holy Gifts be to my condemnation because of my unworthiness, but for the cleansing and sanctification of soul and body and the pledge of the future life and kingdom. It is good for me to cling to God and to place in Him the hope of my salvation.

Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical Supper. I will not reveal Your mystery to Your adversaries. Nor will I give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I confess to You: Lord, remember me in Your Kingdom.

Prayers After Receiving Communion

Lord Jesus Christ, my God, now that I have received Your holy Body and Blood, grant me forgiveness of my sins and life everlasting.

I thank You, loving Master, benefactor of my soul, that on this day You have again made me worthy of Your heavenly and immortal mysteries. Direct my way on the right path. Establish me firmly in Your fear. Guard my life. And make my endeavors safe, through the prayers of the glorious Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary and of all Your Saints. Amen.

Lord Jesus Christ my God, let Your sacred Body be unto me for eternal life and Your precious Blood for forgiveness of sins. Let this Eucharist be unto me for joy, health and gladness. And in Your awesome Second Coming make me, a sinner, worthy to stand at the right hand of Your glory; through the intercessions of Your pure Mother and of all Your Saints. Amen.