My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE. Ο ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ ΕΝ ΤΩ ΜΕΣΩ ΗΜΩΝ! ΚΑΙ ΗΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΙ ΚΑΙ ΕΣΤΑΙ.
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HOMILY ON PRAYER BY SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
"As Christians we are obligated to honor and appreciate the Saints of God for two reasons. The first reason is because all the Saints had placed the hope of their spiritual salvation upon the sacred prayers. The second reason is because the prayers which they offered to God with joy and fear have been preserved in their writings. Thus their spiritual treasures, having been transmitted to us, may draw all subsequent believers toward the zeal of these Saints. The way of life of the teachers must be transmitted to their pupils. Thus the pupils of the Saints, that is, us Christians, must prove ourselves to be imitators of their righteousness. This we may do by always being preoccupied with prayers and the worship of God, considering thus as life and health and wealth and the end of all good things our prayer toward God with a pure heart and an incorruptible soul. For as the sun illumines the body so also does prayer illumine the soul. If then the blind person is deprived because he cannot see the sun, how much more is the Christian diminished and harmed who does not pray constantly, and who, consequently, does not gather into his or her soul, through prayer, the Light of Christ."
The Orthodox Christian begins his/her prayer always by invoking the Holy Trinity:
+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN PRAYERS:
Let us pray to the Lord Kyrie eleison (Lord, have mercy).
Blessed is our God, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Glory to Thee, Our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell in us; cleanse us of every stain and save our souls, gracious One. Amen.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious to us in our sins. Master, forgive our transgressions. Holy One, consider our weaknesses and heal them, for Thy Name's sake.
Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison. Kyrie, eleison (Lord, have mercy.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy Name...
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 always and forever and ever. Amen.
FROM THE OFFICE OF ORTHROS (MATINS)
(Morning Prayer)
We thank You, Lord our God, for You has raised us up from our beds and put into our mouth words of praise, that we may worship and invoke Your Holy Name. We ask Your mercies, which You has always shown us in our lives. Once again, send Your help upon those who stand in the presence of Your Holy Glory in expectation of Your abundant mercy. Grant that they may always worship You in awe and in love, praising, singing, worshipping Your inexpressible goodness. For to You belong all glory, honor and worship: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
(Evening Prayer)
O God, great and wonderful, in surpassing goodness and infinite providence You govern the universe. You have bestowed on us worldly blessings, and by the good things already vouchsafed to us, given us a pledge of the promised Kingdom. You have enabled us to get through the day thus far, shunning all evil; grant that we may also live out the remainder of it blameless before Your Holy Glory, praising You our only God and Loving God. For You are our God, and to You, we give the glory: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and always and forever and ever. Amen.
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O joyful radiance of the Holy Glory of the Immortal Father, the Heavenly, Holy, Blessed Jesus Christ! Having come to the setting of the sun and seen the evening light, we praise God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is fitting at all times to raise a song of praise in measured melody, O Son of God, Giver of Life. Behold, the universe sings Your Glory.
(Prayer Before a Journey)
O Lord Jesus Christ Our God, the True and Living Way, be Thou, O Master, my Companion, Guide and Guardian during my journey; deliver and protect me from all danger, misfortune and temptation that I may be exposed to; that being so defended by Thy Divine power, I may have a peaceful and successful journey and arrive safely at my destination. For in Thee I put my trust and hope, and to Thee, with Thy Eternal Father, and All-Holy Spirit, I ascribe all praise, honor and glory: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(Prayer of a Sick Person)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Our Savior, the Physician of souls and bodies, Who did become man and suffered death on the Cross for Our salvation, and through Thy tender love and compassion did heal all manner of sickness and affliction; do Thou O Lord, visit me ( or name of relative or friend) in my (or his/her) suffering, and grant me (him/her) grace and strength to bear this sickness with which I am afflicted, with Christian patience and submission to Thy Will, trusting in Thy Loving kindness and tender mercy. Bless, I pray Thee, the means used for my (his/her) recovery, and those who administer them. I know O Lord, that I justly deserve any punishment Thou mayest inflict upon me, for I have so often offended Thee and sinned against Thee, look upon my weakness, and deal not with me after my sins, but according to the multitude of Thy mercies. Have compassion on me, and let mercy and justice meet; and deliver me (him/her) from this sickness and suffering I am undergoing. Grant that my sickness may be the means of my true repentance and amendment of my life according to Thy Will, that I may spend the rest of my days in Thy Love and fear; that my soul, being helped by Thy grace and sanctified by Thy Holy Mysteries, may be prepared for its passage to the Eternal Life, and there, in the company of Thy blessed Saints, may praise and glorify Thee with Thy Eternal Father and Life-Giving Spirit. Amen.
(A Prayer to your Guardian Angel)
O Angel of Christ, holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me everything wherein I have offended thee every day of my life, and protect me from all influence and temptation of the Evil One. May I nevermore anger God by any sin. Pray for me to the Lord, that He may make me worthy of the grace of the All-Holy Trinity, and of the Most Blessed Theotokos, and of all the Saints. Amen.
(A Prayer of Repentance)
(May be said with Morning or Evening Prayers, or separately.)
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 heartily sorry that I have ever offended Thee, and I sincerely repent; with tears I humbly pray Thee, O Lord: 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 n the way of the Righteous and offer praise and glory to the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
(Prayer to Your Patron Saint)
Pray unto God for me, O holy Saint (Name), well-pleasing to God: for I turn unto thee, who art the speedy helper and intercessor for my soul.
(Prayer of Preparation Before Holy Communion)
A Prayer of Saint John Damascene (Damascenos)
O Lord and Master Jesus Christ, Our God, Who alone has power to forgive the sins of men, do Thou, O Good One Who loves mankind, forgive all the sins that I have committed in knowledge or in ignorance, and make me worthy to receive without condemnation Thy Divine, Glorious, Immaculate and Life-Giving Mysteries; not unto punishment or unto increase of sin; but unto purification, and sanctification and a promise of Thy Kingdom and the Life to come; as a protection and a help to overthrow the adversaries, and to blot out my many sins. For Thou are a God of mercy and compassion and love toward mankind, and unto Thee we ascribe glory together with the Father and the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
(A Prayer of Thanksgiving After Holy Communion)
A Prayer of Saint Basil the Great
O Lord, Christ Our God, King of the Ages, and Creator of all, I thank Thee for all the good things which Thou has bestowed upon me, and for this Communion of Thine Immaculate and Life-Giving Mysteries. Therefore I entreat Thee, O Good One Who loves mankind: Keep me in Thy tabernacle and under the shadow of Thy wings; and grant that, with a pure conscience, even unto my last breath, I may worthily partake of Thy Holy Things, unto the remission of my sins and unto Life Eternal. For Thou are the Bread of Life, the Fountain of All Holiness, the Giver of good things; 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.
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Our Holy Orthodox Church has Christian prayers for all occasions and every Orthodox Christian is encouraged to pray constantly and to always maintain communion with God. Prayers that must be taught to our children and grandchildren.
There are Orthodox Prayers Books that one can purchase that contain the various prayers.
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!"--Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George