Orthodox Daily Prayers Part 2

Estrange me from all torments, and pray for me to the Master of all.

Grant that, with all the saints, I may inherit the joys of heaven.

Hear, most holy Virgin, the voice of your useless servant.

Grant me a torrent of tears, most pure one, to wash the filth of my soul.

The groans of my heart I bring you unceasingly: open your heart, O Lady!

Accept my prayerful service, and take it to the compa.s.sionate G.o.d.

You who are far higher than the angels, raise me above this world's confusion.

O light-bearing heavenly cloud, direct spiritual grace into me.

I raise in praise, all-undefiled one, hands and lips defiled by sin.

Deliver me from soul-corrupting harm, praying fervently to Christ, To Whom glory and wors.h.i.+p are due, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

9th Prayer, to Our Lord Jesus Christ.

My most merciful and all-merciful G.o.d, O Lord Jesus Christ! In Thy great love, Thou didst come down and become flesh in order to save all. Again, I pray Thee, save me by Grace! If Thou shouldst save me because of my deeds, it would not be a gift, but merely a duty. Truly, Thou aboundest in graciousness and art inexpressibly merciful! Thou hast said, O my Christ: "He who believes in me shall live and never see death". If faith in Thee saves the desperate, behold: I believe! Save me, for Thou art my G.o.d and my Maker. May my faith replace my deeds, O my G.o.d, for Thou wilt find no deeds to justify me. May my faith be sufficient for all. May it answer for me; may it justify me; may it make me a partaker of Thine eternal glory; and may Satan not seize me, O Word, and boast that He has torn me from Thy hand and fold. O Christ my Savior: save me whether I want it or not! Come quickly, hurry, for I peris.h.!.+ Thou art my G.o.d from my mother's womb. Grant, O Lord, that I may now love Thee as once I loved sin, and that I may labor for Thee without laziness as once I labored for Satan the deceiver. Even more, I will labor for Thee, my Lord and G.o.d Jesus Christ, all the days of my life, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

10th Prayer, to the Angel, the guardian of human life.

O Holy Angel, who stand by my wretched soul and my pa.s.sionate life: do not abandon me, a sinner, neither depart from me because of my lack of self-control. Leave no room for the evil demon to gain control of me through the violence of this mortal body. Strengthen my weak and feeble hand, and instruct me in the path of salvation. O holy Angel of G.o.d, the guardian and protector of my wretched soul and body: forgive all the sorrows I have caused you, every day of my life. If I have sinned in this past night, protect me during this day. Keep me from every adverse temptation, that I may not anger G.o.d by any sin. Pray to the Lord for me, that He may establish me in His fear and make me, His servant, worthy of His goodness. Amen.

11th Prayer, to the Most Holy Theotokos.

O Most Holy Theotokos, my Lady: through your holy and all-powerful prayers, turn away from me, your humble and unworthy servant, despair, forgetfulness, unreasonableness, indifference, and all unclean, evil and blasphemous thoughts from my wretched heart and darkened mind. Extinguish the flame of my pa.s.sions, for I am poor and wretched. Deliver me from my numerous and wicked memories and fantasies. Free me from all evil acts, for you are blessed by all generations, and your most honorable name is glorified unto ages of ages. Amen.

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos! Mary full of Grace, the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb, for you have borne the Savior of our souls!

Most glorious Ever-Virgin Mother of Christ our G.o.d, bear our prayer to your Son and our G.o.d, that through you He may save our souls.

O heavenly hosts of holy Angels and Archangels, pray for us sinners.

O glorious Apostles, Prophets, Martyrs, and all Saints, pray for us sinners.

Pray to G.o.d for me holy ________ (your Patron Saint), for with fervor I run to you, swift helper and intercessor for my soul!

O Lord, save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance. Grant victories to the Orthodox Christians over their adversaries; and by virtue of Thy Cross, preserve Thy habitation.

It is truly meet to bless you, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our G.o.d. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to G.o.d the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you.

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

Lord, have mercy! _(3 times)_

Lord Jesus Christ Son of G.o.d, for the sake of Thy most pure Mother, our venerable and G.o.d-bearing fathers, and all the saints, save me, a sinner.

Amen.

_Some pious Christians use the following "Morning Prayer of the Last Elders of Optina" with their morning prayers._

O Lord, grant that I may meet all that this coming day brings to me with spiritual tranquility. Grant that I may fully surrender myself to Thy holy Will.

At every hour of this day, direct and support me in all things.

Whatsoever news may reach me in the course of the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul and the firm conviction that all is subject to Thy holy Will.

Direct my thoughts and feelings in all my words and actions. In all unexpected occurrences, do not let me forget that all is sent down from Thee.

Grant that I may deal straightforwardly and wisely with every member of my family, neither embarra.s.sing nor saddening anyone.

O Lord, grant me the strength to endure the fatigue of the coming day and all the events that take place during it. Direct my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to be patient, to forgive, and to love. Amen.

COMMEMORATION OF THE LIVING AND THE DEAD

_To be read daily by every monastic and pious Christian at the end of his rule of prayer._

Remember, O Lord Jesus Christ our G.o.d, Thine eternal mercies and compa.s.sion, for whose sake Thou didst become man and willingly endured crucifixion and death for the salvation of those who rightly believe in Thee. Thou didst rise from the dead and ascend into Heaven and sittest at the right hand of G.o.d the Father, looking down on the humble pet.i.tions of those who call upon Thee with their whole heart. Bow down Thine ear and hear the prayer which I, Thy useless servant, offer Thee for all Thy people as a spiritual fragrance. First of all, remember Thy Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church which Thou didst obtain through Thy precious Blood. Establish, strengthen, broaden, and multiply her. Give her peace and keep her eternally una.s.sailable by the gates of h.e.l.l. Calm the quarrels of the churches, put out the arrogance of the heathen, and swiftly destroy and uproot the rebellions of heresies, turning them into nothing through the power of Thy Holy Spirit.

_Prostration._

Save, Lord, and have mercy on the Holy Orthodox Patriarchs, our Lord, the Most Blessed ________, Archbishop of Was.h.i.+ngton, Metropolitan of All America and Canada; on our Lord, the Right Reverend ________, Bishop of ________; on priests, deacons and all the clergy whom Thou hast installed to tend Thy reason endowed flock. Through their prayers, save me also, a sinner, and have mercy on me.

_Prostration._

Save, Lord, and have mercy on the President of our country, on all our civil authorities and armed forces. Surround them with peace, and speak peace and goodness into their hearts for Thy Holy Church and all Thy people. In their calm may we live a calm and silent life in the True Faith and in all piety and purity.

_Prostration._

Save, Lord, and have mercy on our father (the name and t.i.tle of the abbot of your monastery or of your parish priest) with all our brethren in Christ, and have mercy on me, who am wretched, through their prayers.

_Prostration._

Save, Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father ________, and forgive my transgressions through his holy prayers.

_Prostration.

(In Monasteries)_

Save, Lord, and have mercy on all our brethren who labor in this holy community--the laborers, the lay workers, and those who work the land for this monastery, and all Christians.

_(In Parishes)_

Save, Lord, and have mercy on all our brethren who serve this holy Church--the parish council, the choir, the teachers, the custodians and cleaners, and all who work for our parish, and all Christians.

_Prostration._

_(Any inapplicable terms in the following pet.i.tion are simply omitted.)_