Prayer of a Child (young and old) for their Parents
Used by young or adult children.
O Lord Jesus Christ me God, Who in thy childhood and youth in Nazareth was submissive and obedient to thy most pure mother and thy holy provider and guardian Joseph, leaving me an image of a pure childhood, well-pleasing to God and men; enlighten me, O Lover of men, help me, and inflame me with thy love, that I may be submissive in everything to thee and to my parents, (names), who gave me birth, raised me, have taken care of me, and nourished me. Help me, O Lord, to always be obedient to them and to honour them, as thou didst command me, saying, “Honour thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee and that thou mayest live many years upon the earth.” I pray thee, O Lord, to keep my parents safe. Grant them grace, mercy, health, good temper, strength, love, holy zeal, and all that is necessary and profitable, so that they may bring me up well in Thy truth, with respect for holy things and for the good of society. O Lord Almighty, all things are possible to Thee. Bless my parents, (names), and me, that we may do all that is pleasing to thee, for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on my parents, (names), and by their holy prayers, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Prayer for Wisdom
(Pray these prayers for yourself and especially for a friend when you are hoping they might convert to the Orthodox faith)
O God of our fathers, and Lord of mercy, who hast made all things with thy word, and ordained man through thy wisdom, that he should have dominion over the creatures which thou hast made, and should order the world according to equity and righteousness, and execute judgment with an upright heart: Give us Wisdom, who sitteth by thy throne; and reject us not from among thy children: For we, thy servants, are weak, and have only lived a short time, and are too young for the understanding of judgment and laws. In thee do we put our hope, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Lord, compassionate and merciful, long-suffering and plenteous in mercy, give ear to our prayer, and attend to the voice of our supplication. Work upon us a sign for good. Lead us in thy way, that we may walk in thy truth. Make glad our hearts, that we may fear thy holy name. For thou art great and doest wonders. Thou alone art God, and among all the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord, mighty in mercy, gracious in strength, to aid and to comfort and to save all those who put their trust in thy holy name. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts to the knowledge of thy truth, vouchsafe that we may love and fear thee with all our hearts and do thy will in all things. O thou who, with never-silent hymns and never-ceasing songs of praise to thy glory, art hymned by the holy powers: Fill our mouths with thy praise, that we may magnify thy holy name. And grant unto us part and inheritance with all those who fear thee in truth and keep thy commandments, through the intercessions of the holy Theotokos and of all thy saints.
Prayers for ME to Learn Obedience
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, give me humility and earnestness with which I may fear thee and those whom thou hast given authority over me (names). Strengthen me that, with eagerness and love, I may obey them, being submissive to them in all things. May my attitude, thoughts, words and deeds be filled with love and respect for them, bringing them honour and joy.
Drive away from me the spirit of rebellion, pride, slander, sloth, resentment and bitterness. Help me to quietly yield to thy will and to theirs. Teach me to accept their authority with fearless humility and steadfast faith in thy providence.
Help me to abstain from things they forbid with peace in my heart. Help me to hear their instruction with joy and humility, and to embrace their guidance without reservation. Help me to do all they command me to do, and to consider what they recommend. Help me to be humble and willing to accept their correction, to learn and repent when I am corrected, and to trust in thy love.
Help me, O loving Master, to obey (names) who have authority over me, and to learn from them. Through their direction and care, may I increase in virtue and learn diligence. Help me to love them, to be grateful to them, and to admire thy holy image in them. For you are our heavenly Father who loves us and who disciplines us; who provides us with both tasks and bounty, and to thee do we ascribe glory, Father Almighty, Son who suffered obediently for us and rose victorious, and Holy Spirit who leads us on the path of holiness and joy. Amen.
Prayer of a Single Person
O Lord, who hast set forth for us an example of perfect purity, strengthen me, I beseech thee, when temptation doth beset me, and when strong passions seek to overwhelm me, that I may remain constant in virtue and innocent in thought, word, and deed, doing only such things as are well-pleasing to thee. Grant me growth in wisdom and understanding, that I may serve thee in holiness all the days of my life, through the intercessions of thine all-immaculate Mother and of all thy saints, especially my patron saint N. Amen.
Prayer to Find a Spouse
All-good and merciful Lord, I know that any enduring happiness in my life dependeth upon my wholehearted love for thee and upon keeping thy commandments and obeying thy holy will in all things. Wherefore, direct my steps, O God, and fill my heart with thy grace. I seek to please thee alone, for thou art my Creator and my God. Preserve me from pride and self-love. Let reason, modesty and chastity adorn me. Deliver me from idleness which is hateful unto thee and breedeth vice; grant me to be diligent and fruitful in labor, and bless thou my work. Thy law commandeth that husband and wife live in chaste matrimonial union. Wherefore lead me, Holy Father, to this blessed calling not for the satisfaction of passions but unto the fulfillment of thy commandment; for thou hast said that it is not good that man should be alone and, having created woman as his companion, thou didst bless them to be fruitful and multiply that they may fill the earth. Hear my humble prayer which ascendeth unto thee from the depths of my heart: Grant unto me an honest and pious spouse that, through our love and harmony, we may together serve and praise thee, our compassionate God, and do thy will and bless thine all-holy name, of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer of One Assaulted by Lust
The woman had fallen into many sins, O Lord, yet, when she perceived Thy divinity, she joined the ranks of the myrrh-bearing women. In tears, she brought Thee myrrh before Thy burial. She cried: “Woe is me! For I live in the night of licentiousness, shrouded in the dark and moonless love of sin. But accept the fountain of my tears, Thou Who gathered the waters of the sea into clouds! Bow down Thine ear to the sighing of my heart, O Thou Who bowed the heavens in Thine ineffable condescension! Once Eve heard Thy footsteps in Paradise in the cool of the day, and in fear she ran and hid herself. But now I will tenderly embrace those pure feet and wipe them with the hair of my head.” Who can measure the multitude of my sins, or the depth of Thy judgments, O Saviour of my soul? Do not despise Thy servant in Thine immeasurable mercy!”
I have sinned against Thee, O Saviour, as did the Prodigal Son; accept me in repentance, O Father, and have mercy on me, O God. Receive me, as I fall down before Thee, as one of Thy hired servants, O God, and have mercy on me. I cry unto Thee, O Christ our Saviour, with the voice of the Publican: be gracious unto me, as Thou wast unto him, and have mercy on me, O God. Resurrect my fallen soul, O blessed Theotokos, for I know that Thou canst do whatsoever Thou dost will.
As he who fell among the thieves of his own thoughts and was sorely wounded, my mind hath been stripped from me, the miserable one; and all my soul is terribly wounded, and I lie there in the path of life naked of any virtue. The priest, seeing me in the agony of mine unhealable wounds, looks past me and doth not attend unto me. And again, the Levite, unable to bear my soul-destroying pain—he too, seeing, doth not attend unto me.
Unto Whom shall I flee for refuge, I who have brought this upon myself, except unto Thee, the compassionate healer of souls. Pour out upon me, O God, Thy great mercy and healing. Help me to return to you, Jesus Christ, my Lord, and to Thy Father and Thy Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer for Spouses to Pray Together
Merciful God, we beseech thee ever to remind us that marriage is holy, and that we must keep it so. Grant us thy grace, that we may continue in faithfulness and love. Increase in us the spirit of mutual understanding and trust, that no quarrel or strife may come between us. Grant us thy blessings, that we may stand before our community and in thy sight as an example of a godly family. Grant us health, strength, and wisdom so that we may be able to fulfill our duties with patience and joy. Give us the strength to conquer all temptations that come upon us. Strengthen us in true faith, strong hope, and perfect love, so that we may live well together and continually grow in harmony and perfection through thee. For thou art the One who told us that where two are gathered in thy name, thou art with them and will fulfill their requests. We are gathered and united in thy name through this Holy Marriage, and therefore we request of thee: bless our union and all the good deeds that pour from it. For by thy presence, thou didst bless the wedding in Cana and showed us that thou art the true Priest of mystical and pure marriage. We thank thee for the day on which, by thy heavenly blessing, thou hast joined us in the sacrament of marriage. Protect our Holy Wedlock from sin, evil and danger. Nurture between us the spirit of understanding, the spirit of forgiveness and the spirit of peace. Grant us to see our own faults and not to judge each other. Keep our bond of love always new. Gladden our lives with the joys of marriage, that with one heart we may praise and glorify thee, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer of a Husband for His Wife
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, our sweet saviour, who taught us to pray always for each other, so that by thus fulfilling thy holy law we will be made worthy of thy mercy: look down with compassion on our marriage and keep my wife (name), and my children, (names), whom thou hast granted me, from all perilous falls, from enemies both visible and invisible, that we may pass our time together until the end with oneness of mind. Grant my wife, (name), health, strength, and fullness of wisdom enlightened from above, so that she may be able to fulfill her duties all the days of this life according to thy will and commandments. Protect and keep her from passions, and may she be able to bear and conquer any temptations that come upon her. Strengthen her in right faith, strong hope, and perfect love, so that together we may do good deeds, and that we may order all our life according to thy divine ordinances and commandments. O God, remit, pardon and forgive her sins, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether by word or deed, whether committed in knowledge or in ignorance, whether by day or night and whether of the will or the imagination; Forgive my wife, (name), all these, for thou art Good and lovest mankind. O Lord, listen to my humble prayer, that I may always remember that marriage is holy and that I must keep it holy. Grant me thy grace that I may never sin against the faithfulness and love of this marriage. Foster between us the spirit of peace and understanding, that no sorrow or confusion may arise between us. Grant us health and our daily bread, whereby we may serve thee more, and glorify thy name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer of a Wife for Her Husband
O Lord, Our God, thou, Who in Paradise blessed our forefather Adam and his wife Eve; I pray thee, bless my husband, (name), and my children, (names), with perfect love and constant agreement in our faith and piety, and make us live according to thy will.
Hear me, O Lord, thine unworthy handmaiden. Cleanse my flesh and spirit from any uncleanness; beautify me with imperishable beauty of meekness and quietness, obedience and spiritual understanding. Hear these words of mine and grant blessings to me and my family. Through the intercessions of Our Lady, the Theotokos, as well as the prayers of Her Mother Saint Anna, the prayers of Saint Elizabeth, the wife of the Prophet Zachariah, of Saint Monica of Hippo, Saint Nonna of Nazianzus, Saint Xenia of Saint Petersburg and other blessed wives, help me to obey my husband, (name).
Look upon thy servant, my husband (name). Bless, I pray thee, with peace his coming and going, work and rest; let a Guardian-Angel always be with him for protection from demons, from sly dreams, and devious thoughts. Give him, O Lord, good health, strength of mind and many prosperous years. Let him receive with joy and gratitude the proper fruits of his work. Cure any illness in him and release him from all passions. And let us, through living according to thy Laws, make our home a church and glorify thee, Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages and ages. Amen.
Prayer of Parents for Their Children
O God, our heavenly Father, who loves mankind and art a most merciful and compassionate God, have mercy upon thy servant(s) (name(s)) for whom we humbly pray thee. Care for and protect them, O God. Be their guide and guardian in all their endeavours, lead them in the path of thy truth, and draw them nearer to thee, so that they may lead a godly and righteous life in thy love as they do thy will in all things. Give them thy grace and mercy so that they may be patient, hard-working, tireless, devout and charitable. Grant us, O God, broken and humbled hearts with which we may love our children, (name(s)), and tears for our sins and failures towards them. Free us from anger and bitterness towards them. Cause us to remember their weakness and vulnerable state, their childlike innocence, their beauty, and all the joy thou hast granted us through our calling as their parents. Make us worthy of the unspeakable benefit of having children. Provide for them what we have not given. Fill them with all the wisdom that we have not taught them, having neglected our duty and having failed to be grateful for the gift of children. Preserve their childlike purity for their whole lives. Defend them against the assaults of the enemy, and grant them wisdom and strength to resist all temptation and corruption, and direct them in the way of Salvation. Through the goodness of thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, and the prayers of His Holy Mother and of all the blessed saints, help us all to obey and glorify thee, Father, Son and Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Prayer of a Couple for their Parents
Add the names of you parents-in-law, even when you pray alone.
Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who in thy childhood and youth in Nazareth was submissive and obedient to thy most pure mother and thy holy provider and guardian Joseph, leaving us an image of a pure childhood, well-pleasing to God and men; enlighten us, O Lover of men, help us, and inflame us with thy love, that we may be submissive in everything to thee and to our parents, (names), who gave us birth, raised us, have taken care of us, and nourished us. Help us, O Lord, to always be obedient to them and to honour them, as thou didst command us, saying, “Honour thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee and that thou mayest live many years upon the earth.” We pray thee, O Lord, to keep our parents safe. Grant them grace, mercy, health, good temper, strength, love, holy zeal, and all that is necessary and profitable, so that they may bring us up well in thy truth, with respect for holy things and for the good of society. O Lord Almighty, all things are possible to thee. Bless our parents, (names), and us, that we may do all that is pleasing to thee, for thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on our parents, (names), and by their holy prayers, have mercy on us sinners.
Prayer for US to Learn Obedience
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, give us humility and earnestness with which we may fear thee and those whom thou hast given authority over us (names). Strengthen us that, with eagerness and love, we may obey them, being submissive to them in all things. May our attitude, thoughts, words and deeds be filled with love and respect for them, bringing them honour and joy.
Drive away from us the spirit of rebellion, pride, slander, sloth, resentment and bitterness. Help us to quietly yield to thy will and to theirs. Teach us to accept their authority with fearless humility and steadfast faith in thy providence.
Help us to abstain from things they forbid with peace in our hearts. Help us to hear their instruction with joy and humility, and to embrace their guidance without reservation. Help us to do all they command us to do, and to consider what they recommend. Help me to be humble and willing to accept their correction, to learn and repent when we are corrected, and to trust in thy love.
Help us, O loving Master, to obey (names) who have authority over us, and to learn from them. Through their direction and care, may we increase in virtue and learn diligence. Help us to love them, to be grateful to them, and to admire thy holy image in them. For you are our heavenly Father who loves us and who disciplines us; who provides us with both tasks and bounty, and to thee do we ascribe glory, Father Almighty, Son who suffered obediently for us and rose victorious, and Holy Spirit who leads us on the path of holiness and joy. Amen.
Prayers for Couples Wishing to Conceive Children
To Ss. Peter and Febronia
Regarding the high honours and the glory of this world as temporary, thou hast lived devoutly, O Peter, with thy wife, the most wise Febronia, giving alms and offering God-pleasing prayers. Therefore, after death, ye rest inseparably in one tomb, invisibly bestowing healings; now entreat Christ to preserve the city and the people who glorify you.
To Ss. Joachim and Anna, the parents of the Theotokos
Holy Ancestors of God, the glory of Christ Who willed to be Incarnate for our salvation, with great boldness, together with thy most blessed daughter, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, we pray that thou wilt hear our prayer. As fervent intercessors before the Lord, we, thine unworthy servants, pray that the Master will heed our supplications and have mercy, granting us children. Just as the Lord sent offspring to Abraham and Sarah, Zechariah and Elizabeth, and to you, Holy Ancestors of God, blessed Joachim and righteous Anna, may He also send us a child in His mercy and boundless love for mankind.
O holy Saint Anna, the blessed grandmother of our Lord Jesus and the mother of the Theotokos, pray for us. Thou didst desire a child and faithfully prayed that thy womb would be fruitful. Then thou didst willingly return the fruit of thy womb to the Lord’s service that the world might be saved. Looking to thy holy example, with hope and devotion, we pray that our household remains ever steadfast in faith, loving of one another, virtuous in all our deeds, and most generous unto those entrusted to our care. Pray also for us, that we might not lose heart but, in faith and prayer, find comfort in the good and perfect will of our Father in heaven.
Prayers during Pregnancy
Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ our God, the Source of life and immortality, we bow before thee at this hour, giving thanks. For through our marriage, thou hast blessed us to be recipients of thy manifold blessings. And it was thou who did instruct us, O Master, to be fruitful, multiply and replenish the earth.
We thank thee O Lord and pray: Bless the fruit of [wife’s name]’s womb that thou hast entrusted unto us; favour the child and animate it by thy Holy Spirit; let it grow a healthy and pure body, sound mind and well-formed limbs. And in sanctifying the infant’s body, mind, and heart, grant the child that is to be born an intelligent soul; establish it in love and reverence for thee.
We beseech thee, Heavenly Father, to provide this unborn child with a faithful angel, a guardian of soul and body to watch over it. Protect, keep, strengthen, and shelter the infant in [wife’s name]’s womb until the hour of its birth and give to both – the child and her, – abundant life and health.
O Lord Jesus Christ, into thy Almighty and paternal hands do we entrust this pregnancy. Place upon [wife’s name], thy handmaiden, the right hand of thy grace, and through thy Holy Spirit, sanctify the child that she will bear; renewing it unto life everlasting, in order that this infant may be a communicant of thy Heavenly Kingdom.
Furthermore, O All-Merciful Lord our God, look down and protect [wife’s name], thy handmaiden, from every fear and from the evil spirits that seek to destroy the work of thy hands. And when her hour and time has come, support her by thine abundant Grace. Lighten her infirmity in the time of her travail, granting her fortitude and strength for birthgiving, hastening it with by thine Almighty help. For this is thy glorious creation, the power of thine omnipotence, the work of thy Grace and tender-heartedness.
Holy Ancestors of the Lord, Saints Joachim and Anna, and of the blessed Theotokos, the Mother of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, at this very hour we implore you to pray to Your grandson and Son, for [wife’s name], thy handmaiden. Intercede on her behalf that our Lord may lighten for her this season while she is with child and ease the burden of her heaviness, bestowing His immeasurable blessings upon the child to which she will give birth. Having no other help than Christ our God and no greater hope for intercession than you, Ss. Joachim, Anna, and Most Holy Theotokos, we pray for thy protection. With thy intercessory prayers on her behalf, we give glory and thanksgiving unto the Creator of all things – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.