Prayers

Translated Arabic Prayer

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)

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General Prayers for the Dead

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

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Prayer for a Dead Child

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.

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Prayer After a Miscarriage

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.

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Prayers Before Receiving Communion

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.

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Prayers Right Before Communion

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.

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Morning Service

(An abbreviated Orthros Service for Retreats & Youth Gatherings.)
Priest: Blessed is our God, always both now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People: Amen

Priest: Glory to You, Christ our God, our hope, Glory to You!
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, the Treasury of Blessings and Giver of life: come and abide in us. Cleanse us from all impurity and save our souls, O Good One.

The Trisagion Prayers

People: Amen
Holy God. Holy Mighty. Holy Immortal Have mercy on us.(3)
Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for the glory of Your name.
Lord, have mercy.(3)
Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the 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.

Priest: For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages.

People: Amen

Prayers to the Holy Trinity

Having risen from sleep, we worship You, blessed God, and sing to You, mighty Lord, the angelic hymn: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God; through the prayers of the Theotokos have mercy on us.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit
Having awakened me from sleep, Lord, enlighten my mind and heart. Open my lips to praise You Holy Trinity: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God; through the prayers of the Theotokos have mercy on me.

Both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
Suddenly the Judge will come and the deeds of all will be revealed. Therefore, early in the morning let us cry out in awe: Holy, holy, holy are You, O God; through the prayers of the Theotokos have mercy on us.

The Great Litany

Priest: In peace let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For the peace of the whole world, the stability of the holy churches of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For this holy house, and for those who enter it with faith, reverence and the fear of God, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For our Archbishop _______, our Bishop _______, the honorable presbyters, the deacons in the service of Christ, and all the clergy and laity, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For our country, the president, and all those in public service, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For our Youth Program, all those who participate and help and for their families, that the Holy Spirit may protect and strengthen their faith, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For this city, for every city and country, and for the faithful who live in them, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For favorable weather, an abundance of the fruits of the earth, and temperate seasons, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For travelers by sea, land and air, for the sick, the suffering, the captives and for their safety and salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: For our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
People: To You, O Lord.

Priest: (In a low voice)
We give You thanks, Lord our God, for raising us from our bed and for putting words of praise into our mouths, that we may worship and invoke Your holy Name. We are in need of Your mercies, which You have always provided for our life. Now, too, send forth Your help to those who stand in the presence of Your holy glory, waiting for Your rich mercy. Grant that they may worship You always with awe and love; praising, singing, and glorifying Your inexpressible goodness.
Priest: For to You belong all glory, honor, and worship to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.

Theos Kyrios
Psalm 117(118)

People: Amen. God is the Lord and has appeared to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!
God is the Lord and has appeared to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.

All nations surround me; in the name of the Lord I cut them off!
God is the Lord and has appeared to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.

This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
God is the Lord and has appeared to us. Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord.

Priest: Again in Peace let us pray to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest:Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
People:To You, O Lord.

Priest:For Yours is the dominion, the kingdom, the power, and the glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen

Priest: Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos the Mother of light!

People: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

For he who is mighty has done to me great things; and holy is his name; and his mercy is on them who fear him from generation to generation.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

He has pulled down the mighty from their throwns and raised up those who were low; he has filled the hungry with good things and the rich he has sent away empty.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

He has helped his servant Israel in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the true Theotokos.

Doxology

People: Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will among all. We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory. Lord, King, heavenly God, Father almighty; Lord, the Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit. Lord, God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, You who take away the sins of the world. Receive our prayer, You Who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us. For You only are holy, You only are the Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Each day I will bless You and praise Your name forever. Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I have said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul for I have sinned against You. Lord, in You have I taken refuge. Teach me Your will, for You are my God. For in You is the source of life, and in Your light we shall see light. Extend Your mercy to those who know You. Grant, Lord, to keep us this day without sin. Blessed are You, Lord, God of our Fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name forever. Amen.
Lord, let Your mercy come upon us, for we have trusted in You. Blessed are You, Lord, teach me Your commandments. Blessed are You, Holy One, enlighten me with Your commandments. Lord, Your love endures forever; do not turn away from the work of Your hands. To You belong praise, song, and glory, to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Epistle

Priest: Let us be attentive.
(The Reader chants the verses from the Psalms called the prokeimenon.)
Priest: Wisdom.
Reader: The reading is from ________
(the name of the book of the New Testament from which the Epistle reading is taken).
Priest: Let us be attentive.
(The Reader reads the Epistle reading for the current day.)
Priest: Peace be with you.
People: Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Gospel

Priest: Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel. Peace be with you all.
People: And with Your spirit.
Priest: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to (Name). Let us be attentive.
People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
(The priests reads the Gospel reading for the current day.)
People: Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.

The Dismissal

Priest: Glory to You, O God, our hope, glory to You.
May Christ our true God, as a good, loving, and merciful God, have mercy on us and save us, through the intercessions of His most pure and holy Mother; the power of the precious and life-giving cross; the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist; the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles; the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs; the holy and righteous ancestors Joachim and Anna; our holy and God-bearing Fathers; Saint (Saint of the Day) whose memory we commemorate today, and all the saints.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.
People: Amen.

Morning Service Read More »

Evening Service

(An abbreviated Vespers Service for retreats & Youth Gatherings.)
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, both now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen

Prayer for the Acceptance of God’s Will

Lord, I do not know what to ask of You. You alone know my true needs. You love me more than I know how to love. Help me to see clearly my real needs which I do not see. I open my heart to You. Visit and help me, for Your Great Mercy’s sake. Examine and reveal to me my faults and sins. I put all my trust in You. I have no other desire than to fulfill Your will. Teach me how to pray. Pray in me. Amen.

The Evening Thanksgiving

People: O Joyful Light! Holy Glory of the immortal Father, the heavenly, holy, and blessed One! O Jesus Christ! Now that we have reached the setting of the sun and have seen the evening light, we sing to God — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is fitting at all times to praise You with glad voices, Son of God, the Giver of life. Behold, the universe sings Your glory!

The Evening Prayer

Grant, Lord, to keep us this evening without sin. Blessed are You O Lord, God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your Name for ever. Amen. Lord, let Your mercy come upon us, O Lord, for we have trusted in You. Blessed are You O Lord, teach me Your commandments. Blessed are You O Master, make me to understand Your commandments. Blessed are You, O Holy One, enlighten me with Your commandments. Lord, Your love endures forever; Do not turn away from the work of Your hands. To You belong praise, song; and glory, to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

The Petitions

Priest: Let us complete our evening prayer to the Lord.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Help us, save us, have mercy upon us, and protect us, O God by Your grace.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: That the whole evening may be holy, peaceful, and sinless, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For an angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For forgiveness and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For all that is good and beneficial to our souls, and for peace in the world, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For our Youth Program, all those who participate and help and for their families, that the Holy Spirit may protect and strengthen their faith, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For the completion of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: For a Christian end to our lives, peaceful, without shame and suffering, and for a good account before the awesome judgement seat of Christ, let us ask the Lord.
People: Grant this, O Lord.
Priest: Remembering our most holy, pure, blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
People: To You, O Lord.
Priest: For You are a good and loving God, and to You we give glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages
People: Amen.

Priest: Peace be with all.
People: And with Your spirit.
Priest: Let us bow our heads to the Lord.
People: To You, O Lord.
Priest: (In a low voice)
Lord our God Who bent the heavens and came down for the salvation of humankind, look upon Your servants and Your inheritance. Your servants have bowed their heads and bent their necks before You, the awesome and merciful judge. It is not from human beings that they expect help, but from You they hope for mercy and salvation. Protect them at all times, both during this evening and throughout the coming night from every enemy, from every assault of the powers of hell, from vain deliberations, and from evil thoughts.

Priest: Blessed and glorified is the power of Your Kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen.

The Prayer of St. Symeon

Priest: Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the presence of all peoples; a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.

The Trisagion Prayers

People: Amen
Holy God. Holy Mighty. Holy Immortal Have mercy on us.(3)
Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen
All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for the glory of Your name.
Lord, have mercy.(3)
Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the 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.

Priest: For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages.
People: Amen

The Dismissal

Priest: Glory to You, O God, our hope, glory to You.
May Christ our true God, as a good, loving, and merciful God, have mercy on us and save us, through the intercessions of His most pure and holy Mother; the power of the precious and life-giving cross; the protection of the honorable, bodiless powers of heaven, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist; the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles; the holy, glorious, and triumphant martyrs; the holy and righteous ancestors Joachim and Anna; our holy and God-bearing Fathers; Saint (Saint of the Day) whose memory we commemorate today, and all the saints.

Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us.
People: Amen.

Evening Service Read More »

Prayer of a Student

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.

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Prayers Before Study

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.

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