During the Day
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At the Commencement of Any Work:
Bless, O Lord!
After the Completion of Any Work:
Glory to you, O Lord!
Before Lessons:
Most gracious Lord, send down upon us the grace of your 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 you, our Creator, to gladden our parents, and to serve the Church and our people.
After Lessons:
We thank you, our Creator, for the grace you have given us 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.
On Entering a Church:
Lord, because of your great love, I draw near to your house; toward your holy temple I fall in worship, filled with reverence for you. Lead me into the land of life and prosperity, for my enemies are on the watch for me; make your path straight before me so that I may praise you without distraction forever, One Divine Power worshipped in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
On Leaving a Church:
Now you may let your servant go in peace, Master, as you said you would. For my eyes have seen the salvation you prepared for all people: a light to enlighten the nations and to give glory to your people, Israel.
Before the Icon of Christ:
Christ, our God, we bow low before your most pure image, O Good One, begging you to forgive us our sins. You gladly ascended the cross in the flesh, of your own free will, to save us from Satan’s snares. For this we thank you, Lord, and we cry out to you: By coming to save the world from sin, you have filled all things with joy!
Before the Icon of the Theotokos:
Count us worthy of your affection and sympathy, O Theotokos, for you are a well-spring of compassion. Look upon a people that is forever sinning and, as always, manifest your power for us. With all our hope placed firmly in you, we salute you as once did Gabriel, the leader of the spirit hosts.
For the Priesthood:
O Lord Jesus Christ, enkindle the hearts of all Priests with the fire of zealous love for you. May they ever seek your glory; give them strength that they may work without ceasing in your earthly vineyard for the salvation of our souls and the glory of your all-honourable and majestic Name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer for the Church, of St Ephraim the Syrian:
O Christ our King and Son of God worshiped by all we sing praises to your compassion! You are our King and our God, the author of our life and our great hope. With one voice the heavenly hosts and the mortal ranks below join in your praise singing a song of thanks to you, for even though you were hidden before, you have manifested yourself to us in the latter days. When, in your love you were moved to do so, you came to us as the redemption liberation of the human race. In your compassion you cured our afflictions, cleansed our sins and raised the dead. You established on earth the Holy Church as an icon of your Kingdom. You built her in love and established her in compassion.You betrothed yourself to her and purchase her by your suffering. But the one who hates us, in his shameless impudence, sends his servants to attack her. Lord, do not leave your holy Church without your care, that the world might claim your promises as regards the Church’s invincibility to be false. Do not let her majestic beauty be disfigured or her wealth be stolen. Fulfill your promise made to Peter; seal your words with deeds. Fortify her gates, strengthen her bars, exalt her horn, raise up her head. Bless and preserve her children, give peace to her priests and subdue those who wish her evil. May your peace dwell in her and drive away from her all evil schisms. Grant that we may lead a calm, peaceful life in your fear. May we maintain our faith with great confidence and perfect love. May our life be pleasing to you and may we find your compassion on the day of reckoning. May we sing our praise without ceasing, to you, O Lord, and to your Father and to your Holy Spirit. Amen.
For Relatives and Friends:
Our heavenly Father, lover of all, most merciful and compassionate God, have mercy upon you servants (mention their names) for whom I humbly pray, commending them to your gracious care and compassion. God, be their guide and guardian in all their endeavors, lead them in the path of your truth, and draw them ever closer to you that, doing your will in all things, they may lead a godly and righteous life in love and reverence for you. Give them grace that they may be temperate, industrious, dilligent, 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 saving way of your Son Jesus Christ at the intercessions of his Holy Mother and the blessed Saints. Amen.
Of Married Persons:
O merciful God keep us ever mindful of the holiness of marriage and of our duty together to keep so. Grant us grace to continue in faithfulness and love; increase in us the spirit of mutual understanding and trust that daily troubles may not come between us. Bless us with all that we need so we may stand before you and all as a family after your own heart. And in your mercy, account us worthy of everlasting life. You are our sanctification and we send up glory to you: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Of Single Persons:
O Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, you are the epitome of the purity in which we are commanded to live. When temptation arises or when strong passions seek to overwhelm me, give me the strength I need to remain constant in virtue and innocent in thought, word, and deed; doing only those things as are well-pleasing to you. Grant me growth in wisdom and understanding, that I may serve you in holiness all the days of my life: through the intercessions of the all-holy Theotokos, of my Patron (name him or her) and all your Saints. Amen.
Of a Child:
Our Father in heaven, bless my parents, my guardians, and all those who are in authority over me. Make me always thankful for their love and tender care, and all the benefits I receive from. Help me to be respectful and obedient to them in all things according to your will and give me the grace to perform all my duties carefully and faithfully as for you alone. Help me to avoid undesirable company and influence, and to resist any temptation that may come my way so that I may live a sober, righteous and godly life, always praising you and glorifying your Holy Name. Amen.
Before a Journey:
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, you are the way, the truth and the life. Divine Master, be my companion, guide and guardian during my journey; deliver and protect me from all danger, misfortune and temptation; so that, being defended by your divine power, I will have a peaceful and successful journey and arrive safely at my destination. I put my of my trust and hope in you, together with your Eternal Father, and your All-holy Spirit. To you be all praise, honor and glory: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen
In time of Trouble:
I believe, O Lord, and I confess that all things work together for the good for those who love you. You know my misery and suffering in which you are my only hope and refuge. I am the work of your hands and you know my weakness so I flee to you for relief and comfort. In all things you have made us are more than conquerors through the One who loves us and with your Holy Apostle Paul I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord. Grant me grace and endow me with patience and strength to endure my tribulations resting in your divine will and trusting in your infinite love and compassion. In your time I know you will deliver me from this trouble, and turn my distress into comfort. So even now I rejoice in your mercy, and exalt and praise your Holy Name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Thanksgiving after Trouble has Passed:
Almighty and merciful God, Divine ruler of us all, I offer humble and hearty thanks to you: in your mercy and loving kindness you have graciously delivered me from my trouble and misery. I pray for your helping grace, that I may obediently walk after you in the way of Jesus, leading a sober, righteous and godly life, ever offering thanks for the mercies and blessings you shower upon me – even though I am unworthy of such gifts! Grant that in all things I may continually offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Of a person suffering illness:
O Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, the Good Physician of our souls and bodies, you lived among us as one of us and in your tender love and compassion you healed all manner of sickness and affliction. Visit me in my suffering: grant me grace and strength to bear this sickness with humble patience and in submission to your will, ever trusting in your loving kindness and tender mercy. Bless the means used for my recovery, and those who administer them. I have often sinned against you – in thought word and deed – and so am weak against the evils of this world. Therefore, I humbly beg you to look upon my weakness and deal not with me after my sins but rather according to your great love, have compassion on me; let mercy and justice meet and deliver me from this sickness and suffering I am undergoing. Fulfill your promise that all things are for the good of those who love you: grant that this illness may be a further working out of my salvation according to you will, that I may spend the rest of my days in your love and fear. Let me be helped by your grace and sanctified by the Holy Mysteries and being thus strengthened, I may be prepared for the living of your Eternal Life in the company of your blessed Saints. There let me sing your praise and glory together with your Father who is enteral and your all holy, good and life-giving Spirit. Amen.
Thanksgiving after recovery:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Source of life and Fountain of all good things, I bless you Holy Name, and offer to thanksgiving to you for having delivered me from my sickness and restored me to health. Continue me in your grace, I pray, that I may keep my good resolutions and correct the errors of my life, and improve in virtue, and live a new life in pious awe of you, doing your will in all things, and devoting fully to your service this new life which you have given me. Thus living only for you, let me be ready when you call me to stand before you, O heavenly Father, to whom with your Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, and your all-holy and Life-giving Spirit, is due all honor, praise, glory, and thanksgiving: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
For the Sick:
O holy Father, heavenly Physician of our souls and bodies, you sent your Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to heal all our ailments and deliver us from death: visit and heal your servant N., granting release from pain and restoration to health and vigor, that s/he may give thanks and bless your holy Name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
For the Dead:
Into your hands, O Lord, I commend the souls of your servants N. & N. Grant them rest together with all your blessed Saints, where your light shines forever. Grant that our present lives may be godly, sober, and blameless, so that we, too, may be accounted worthy to enter into your heavenly Kingdom with those we love but see no longer: for you, O Christ our God, are the Resurrection and the Life, and the Rest of your departed servants, and to you we ascribe all glory: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
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Mealtime Prayers
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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 your Name’s sake.
Our Father, in heaven, hallowed be your Name; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth, as in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us; save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from the evil one.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Christ, our God, bless the food and drink of your servants, for you are holy now and forever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
After Breakfast:
How truly right it is to honour your good fortune, O Theotokos, for you are the supremely blessed and blameless mother of our God! You are more honourable than the cherubim, beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim! In Virginity you gave birth to God, the word: O you who are truly Theotokos, we extol you!
Prayers Before the Main Meal:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: both now and forever, and unto ages of ages, amen.
Lord, be merciful and bless this food for us!
Christ, our God, bless the food and drink of your servants, for you are holy now and forever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers After the Main Meal:
We give you thanks, Christ, God, for your earthly gifts! Do not deprive us of your heavenly kingdom, but as you came among your disciples, O saviour, giving them your peace, come also among us and save us.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: both now and forever, and unto ages of ages, amen.
Lord, be merciful and bless this food for us!
Bless’d be our God for dealing mercifully with us and for nourishing us with his abundant gifts, in his grace and love for mankind: now and forever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers Before the Secondary Meal:
May the poor eat and be filled and may they who seek the Lord exult in him, and may their hearts live forever!
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: both now and forever, and unto ages of ages, amen.
Lord, be merciful and bless this food for us!
Christ, our God, bless the food and drink of your servants, for you are holy now and forever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Prayers After the Secondary Meal:
Your womb became a sacred table, O Theotokos, for it held the bread of heaven, Christ, our God, the nourisher of all, who said that anyone who eats of him shall live forever!
You are more honorable than the cherubim, beyond compare more glorious than the seraphim! In virginity, you gave birth to God, the word: O you who are truly Theotokos, we extol you!
May God be with us through his grace and love for mankind: now and forever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
