Prayers + More

Prayed at the beginning of morning prayers, evening prayers, and most Orthodox services.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

O Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, Who art in all places and fillest all things; Treasury of good things and Giver of life, come and abide in us and cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O gracious Lord.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (three times)

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

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.

Lord, have mercy. (three times)

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 the heavens, 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 the evil one.

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.

A prayer of thanksgiving upon rising, attributed to the tradition of the holy Fathers.

Arising from sleep, I thank Thee, O Holy Trinity, because of the abundance of Thy goodness and long-suffering Thou wast not wroth with me, slothful and sinful as I am; neither hast Thou destroyed me in my transgressions, but in Thy compassion raised me up as I lay in despair, that at dawn I might sing the glories of Thy majesty.

Do Thou now enlighten the eyes of my understanding, open my mouth to receive Thy words, teach me Thy commandments, help me to do Thy will, confessing Thee from my heart, singing and praising Thine all-honorable and majestic name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

A morning prayer of Saint Basil the Great:

We bless Thee, O God most high and Lord of mercies, who ever workest great and mysterious deeds for us, glorious, wonderful, and numberless; who providest us with sleep as a rest from our infirmities and as a repose for our bodies tired by labor. We thank Thee that Thou hast not destroyed us in our transgressions, but in Thy love toward mankind hast raised us up as we lay in despair, that we may glorify Thy majesty.

We entreat Thine infinite goodness: enlighten the eyes of our understanding and raise up our minds from the heavy sleep of indolence; open our mouths and fill them with Thy praise, that we may unceasingly sing and confess Thee who art God glorified in all and by all, the eternal Father, the Only-begotten Son, and the all-holy and good and life-giving Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Conclude with:

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

Prayed before sleep, commending body and soul to God's keeping.

O Eternal God, King of every creature, Who hast enabled me to attain to this hour, forgive me the sins which I have committed this day by thought, word, and deed. Cleanse my soul, O Lord, from every defilement of flesh and spirit. Grant me, O Lord, to pass through the sleep of this night in peace, that rising from my humble bed, I may please Thy most holy name all the days of my life.

Lord our God, whatever sins I have committed this day in word, deed, or thought, forgive me, for Thou art good and lovest mankind. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep. Protect me from every abuse and plot of the evil one. Raise me up in due time that I may glorify Thee, for Thou art blessed, together with Thine Only-begotten Son and Thine all-holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Lord our God, in Whom we believe and upon Whose name we call more than any other, grant relief to our souls and bodies as we go to sleep. Keep us from every fantasy and dark pleasure. Send Thy guardian Angel to protect and keep us from all harm. For Thou art the Guardian of our souls and bodies, and to Thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Upon lying down to sleep:

Into Thy hands, O Lord, I commend my soul and body. Do Thou Thyself bless me, have mercy upon me, and grant me life eternal. Amen.

Blessings before and after eating, sanctifying the table as an act of thanksgiving.

Before meals:

The eyes of all wait upon Thee, O Lord, and Thou givest them their meat in due season. Thou openest Thine hand and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

Our Father, Who art in the heavens, 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 the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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

Bless us, O Lord, and bless this food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art holy: always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

After meals:

We thank Thee, O Christ our God, that Thou hast satisfied us with Thine earthly gifts; deprive us not of Thy heavenly kingdom, but as Thou didst come among Thy disciples, O Savior, and didst give them peace, come among us also and save us. Amen.

Alternatively, after meals:

Blessed is God Who hath mercy on us and nourisheth us from His bountiful gifts by His grace and compassion, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Given by our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:9–13). Prayed throughout every Orthodox service and at the heart of the daily rule.

Our Father, Who art in the heavens, 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 the evil one.

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.

Formulated at the First and Second Ecumenical Councils (325 and 381 AD). Recited at every Divine Liturgy and in the daily prayer rule.

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 worlds. 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 was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried.

And on 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 I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, and Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father; Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke by the Prophets.

And I believe 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 the life of the world to come. Amen.

The foundational prayer of hesychast tradition, prayed continuously on the prayer rope (chotki). Rooted in the cry of the blind man (Luke 18:38) and the publican (Luke 18:13).

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

Shorter forms also used:

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.

Lord, have mercy.

Sung at every Divine Liturgy following the consecration of the Holy Gifts.

It is truly meet to bless thee, 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; who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word: the very Theotokos, thee do we magnify.

Also prayed:

Beneath thy compassion we take refuge, O Theotokos. Do not overlook our supplications in adversity, but deliver us from danger, O only pure and only blessed one.

I will enter into thy house in the multitude of thy mercies, and in thy fear I will worship at your holy altar. How shall I, the unworthy, dare to enter into the beauty of thy holy place? If with the worthy I ventured to enter, my garment will denounce me, for it is not a wedding garment, and I shall be cast out, bound by the angels. Cleanse, O Lord, the defilement of my soul, and save me since thou art the lover of mankind.

Prayers of preparation before receiving the Holy Mysteries. A full pre-communion canon is found in the Orthodox prayer book; this is an abbreviated form.

I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, Who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the first.

I also believe that this is truly Thine own most pure Body, and that this is truly Thine own precious Blood. Wherefore I pray Thee, have mercy upon me and forgive me my transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, in word and deed, in knowledge and in ignorance.

And make me worthy without condemnation to partake of Thy most pure Mysteries, for the remission of sins and unto life everlasting. Amen.

Prayer of Saint John Chrysostom:

O God, forgive me, a sinner. O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me. O Lord, forgive me, for I have sinned without number.

Of Thy Mystical Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of Thy Mystery to Thine enemies; neither like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like the thief will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy kingdom. Amen.

Prayers of thanksgiving following reception of the Holy Mysteries.

I thank Thee, O Lord my God, that Thou hast not rejected me a sinner, but hast made me worthy to be a communicant of Thy holy Mysteries.

I thank Thee that Thou hast made me worthy, unworthy as I am, to partake of Thine immaculate and heavenly Gifts.

But, O Master, Who lovest mankind, Who hast died for our sake and risen again, and hast granted us these dread and life-giving Mysteries for the well-being and sanctification of our souls and bodies, grant that they may be even unto me for the healing of soul and body, for the averting of every adversary, for the enlightening of the eyes of my heart, for the peace of them that are my soul's powers, for faith unashamed, for love unfeigned, for fullness of wisdom, for the keeping of Thy commandments, for an increase of Thy divine grace, and for the attainment of Thy Kingdom.

Preserved in Thy sanctification, enlightened by Thee, may I give thanks to Thee, O Lord, always: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

To be prayed before private reading of the Bible.

Shine within our hearts, loving Master, the pure light of Thy divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend the proclamations of Thy Gospel. Instill in us also reverence for Thy blessed commandments so that, having trampled down all carnal desires, we may pursue a spiritual manner of living, both thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to Thee.

For Thou art the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and to Thee we give glory, together with Thy Father, Who is without beginning, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayers for those who have fallen asleep in the Lord. The Church prays for the reposed at Panakhidas and in private prayer.

O God of all spirits and of all flesh, Who hast trampled down death and overthrown the devil, and given life to Thy world: Do Thou, the same Lord, give rest to the soul of Thy departed servant [Name] in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place of repose, where all sickness, sighing, and sorrow have fled away.

Pardon every transgression which he/she has committed, whether by word or deed or thought, for Thou art a good God and lovest mankind; for there is no man who lives yet does not sin, for Thou only art without sin, Thy righteousness is to all eternity and Thy word is truth.

For Thou art the Resurrection, and the Life, and the Repose of Thy departed servant [Name], O Christ our God; and unto Thee we ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, Who is without beginning, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Troparion for the departed:

With the souls of the righteous dead, give rest, O Savior, to the soul of Thy servant, preserving it unto the life of blessedness which is with Thee, O Thou Who lovest mankind.

In the place of Thy rest, O Lord, where all Thy saints repose, give rest also to the soul of Thy servant; for Thou only lovest mankind.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

Thou art the God Who descended into hell and loosed the bonds of the captives; do Thou give rest also to the soul of Thy servant.

Both now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

O Virgin, alone pure and immaculate, who without seed didst bear God, pray thou for his/her soul to be saved.

Memory Eternal:

Memory Eternal! Memory Eternal! Memory Eternal!

A prayer for those who are ill, offered with faith in God's mercy and healing power.

O Holy Father, Physician of souls and bodies, Who didst send Thine Only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, Who healeth every infirmity and delivereth from death: Do Thou visit and heal Thy servant [Name], granting him/her release from pain, restoration of health, and salvation.

Grant him/her patience in this affliction, peace of soul, and trust in Thy holy will. Be Thou his/her strength and consolation in suffering; be Thou his/her physician and healer; and if it be Thy will, raise him/her up from his/her bed of pain to serve Thee in health and gratitude all the days of his/her life.

For Thine it is to show mercy and to save, O 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 ages. Amen.

To be prayed before a journey of any length.

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, the true and living Way: be Thou the companion, guide, and guardian of Thy servant [Name] on his/her journey today.

Keep him/her safe from all danger of body and soul. Bring him/her to his/her destination in peace, and in due time return him/her to us in health and joy. For in Thee we place our trust, and to Thee we give glory, together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayed at every weekday service of Great Lent, with full prostrations. Considered the preeminent prayer of the Great Fast.

O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, meddling, lust of power, and idle talk.

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

Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own sins and not to judge my brother; for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.

Then twelve bows, saying each time:

O God, cleanse me a sinner.

Then the full prayer once more with a final prostration.

Sung at every service from Pascha through the Leavetaking of Pascha (forty days). Also used as a greeting among the faithful.

Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!

The faithful respond:

Truly He is risen!

Paschal greeting in Arabic (used in the Antiochian tradition):

Al-Masih Qam! — Haqqan Qam!

In Greek:

Christos Anesti! — Alithos Anesti!

One of the oldest known Christian prayers to the Theotokos, dating to at least the third century. Used as the last apolytikion of Vespers celebrated during Great Lent on Sunday evenings and weekdays.

Beneath thy compassion we take refuge, O Theotokos. Do not overlook our prayers in adversity, but deliver us from danger, O only pure and only blessed one.

Prayer texts drawn from the Orthodox Study Bible, the Antiochian Prayer Book, and the common liturgical tradition of the Orthodox Church.