Prayers and the Nicene Creed of the Orthodox Faith

Prayers of the Orthodox Faith

The absolute beauty and relevance of prayer in everyday life of the Orthodox Christian is clearly evident in these prayers. We pray the Psalms of the Holy Prophet King David, the prayer which Our Lord Himself taught His holy disciples, prayers of the desert fathers, prayers of the great hierarchs and teachers of the Church, as well as the prayers of more recent fathers.

These prayers should not and must not limit the free expression of the Orthodox Christian to the Creator, the Most Holy Theotokos Ever-Virgin Mary and the Saints. By reading and reciting these prayers, we learn how to pray. These prayers become models to follow. In times when we are overcome by the surrounding world, with grief, with fear or trouble, and we do not know how to begin to pray, these prayers become our models and open our hearts to continue in our prayer to God.

The Doxology I The Nicene Creed I The Lord's Prayer I Hymns to the Theotokos I The Jesus Prayer I The Trisagion I O Heavenly King I Prayers of the Saints I The Prayer of the Psalms I Prayers for the Table I Communion Prayers I Prayer of Saint Ephraim

The Doxology

Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will towards men. We praise Thee! We bless Thee! We worship Thee! We glorify Thee! We give thanks to Thee for Thy great glory! O Lord, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty! O Lord, the only -begotten Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit! O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us! Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father have mercy on us! For Thou alone art holy, Thou alone art Lord, Thou alone, O Jesus Christ, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen! Every night will I give thanks to Thee and praise Thy name for ever and ever! Lord, Thou hast been our refuge from generation to generation! I said, Lord be merciful to me, heal my soul for I have sinned against Thee. Lord, I flee unto Thee. Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. For with Thee is the fountain of life, and in Thy light shall we see light. O continue forth Thy mercy upon those who know Thee! Grant, Lord, that we may be kept this night without sin! Blessed art Thou, Lord God of our fathers, and praised and glorified be Thy name forever. Amen! Let Thy mercy, Lord, be upon us, as we have set our hope on Thee. Blessed art Thou, Lord, teach me Thy statutes! Blessed art Thou, Master, make me to understand Thy commandments! Blessed art Thou, Holy One, enlighten me with Thy precepts! Thy mercy, Lord, endures forever! O despise not the works of Thy hands! To Thee belongs worship! To Thee belongs praise! To Thee belongs 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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The Nicene Creed

The Symbol of Faith

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 ages. 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 He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He arose 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 in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke by the prophets. 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.

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The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, Who art in heaven, 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 tresspass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

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Hymns to the Theotokos (Mother of God)

Steadfast protectress of Christians, constant advocate before the Creator: do not despise the cry of us sinners, but in your goodness come speedily to help us who call on you in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, O Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you.

It is truly meet to bless you, 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. Without defilement, you gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos we magnify you.

Canon to the Theotokos

Most Holy Theotokos, save us! I hold you as the Intercessor and Protection of my life, O Virgin Birth-Giver of God. Pilot me to your haven, O Cause of good things, O only all-hymned Support of the faithful. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! I pray, O Virgin: dispel the storm of my sorrows and spiritual turmoil. You are the Bride of God who bore the Origin of stillness and alone are most pure. Most Holy Theotokos, save us! Pour a wealth of generosity for all, O you who bore the Benefactor, the Cause of all good. You can do anything, for God has blessed you, the Bearer of Christ Who is mighty in strength. Most Holy Theotokos, save us!Help me. O Virgin, for I am cruelly tried by severe illness and painful afflictions. I know, Ever-Undefiled One, that you are an inexhaustible and generous treasury of healings.

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The Jesus Prayer

Jesus, Son of God, be merciful to me a sinner.
Additional Text and Reflection for using Prayer Rope with this Prayer

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The Trisagion

Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal, have mercy on us! Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal, have mercy on us! Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal, have mercy on us! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Holy Immortal, have mercy on us ! Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal, have mercy on us!

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O Heavenly King

O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who art everywhere and fillest all things. Treasury of Blessings, and Giver of Life: Come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.

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Psalms

Psalm 50 ( 51 )

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; according to the mutitude of Thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in Thy sight, so that Thou art justified in Thy sentence and blameless in Thy judgement. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sins did my mother conceive me. Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Fill me with joy and gladness; let the bones which Thou hast broken rejoice. Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Thy ways, and sinners will return to Thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of Thy deliverance. O Lord, open Thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Thy praise. For Thou hast no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, Thou wouldst not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. Do good to Zion in Thy good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then wilt Thou delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Thy altar.

Psalm 69

O God, attend to helping me! O Lord, make haste to help me! Let them be put to shame and confusion who seek my life! Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor who desire my hurt! Let them be turned back in their shame who jeer saying: "Well done! Well done!" May all who seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee! May those who love Thy salvation say evermore, "God is great!" But I am poor and needy; hasten to me, O God! Thou art my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry!

Psalm 142

Hear my prayer, O Lord; give ear to my supplications! In Thy faithfulness answer me, in Thy righteousness! Enter not into judgement with Thy servant; for no man living is righteous before Thee. For the enemy has pursued my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead. Therefore my spirit faints within me; my heart within me is appalled. I remember the days of old, I meditate on all Thou hast done; I muse on what Thy hands have wrought. I stretch out my hands to Thee; my soul thirsts for Thee like a parched land. Make haste to answer me, O Lord! My spirit fails! Hide not Thy face from me, lest I be like those who go down to the Pit. Let me hear in the morning of Thy steadfast love, for in Thee I put my trust. Teach me the way I should go, for to Thee I lift up my soul. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies! I have fled to Thee for refuge! Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God! Let Thy Good Spirit lead me on a level path! For Thy name's sake, O Lord, give me life! In Thy righteousness bring my soul out of trouble! And in Thy steadfast love cut off my enemies and destroy all those who afflict my soul, for I am Thy servant.

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Prayers of the Saints

A Prayer by Saint Macarius the Great

O God, cleanse me a sinner, for I have done nothing good before Thee. Deliver me from the evil one, and may Thy will be in me, that I might open my unworthy lips without condemnation and praise Thy holy name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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Prayers at the Table

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 Thy name's sake.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! ( 3 Times)
O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art holy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

After Breakfast

More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! ( 3 Times )
God is with us, through His grace and love for mankind, always now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Before Lunch

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, 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 evil.
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! ( 3 Times )
O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art holy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

After Lunch

We thank Thee, Christ our God, for Thou hast satisfied us with Thine earthly gifts. Deprive us not of Thy Heavenly Kingdom, but as Thou camest among Thy disciples, O Savior, giving them peace, so come to us and save us!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! ( 3 Times )
Blessed is God, Who has had mercy on us a fed us from His rich gifts, through His Grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Before Supper

The poor shall eat and be satisfied, and those who seek the Lord shall praise Him; their hearts shall live forever!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! ( 3 Times )
O Christ God, bless the food and drink of Thy servants, for Thou art holy, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

After Supper

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Your womb became a Heavenly Table, bearing the Heavenly Bread - Christ our God. Whoever eats of Him shall not die, O Birth-giver of God, according to the word of the Nourisher of all.
More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim: without defilement you gave birth to God the Word: true Theotokos, we magnify you!
Thou, O Lord, hast made us glad by Thy works; in the works of Thy hands shall we rejoice. Lift up the Light of Thy countenance upon us, O Lord! Thou hast put joy in my heart. With the fruit of wheat, wine and oil have we been satisfied. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for Thou alone, O Lord, makest me to dwell in hope.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy! ( 3 Times )
God is with us through His Grace and love for mankind, always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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Prayers for Communion

Saint John Chrysostom

I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the Living God Who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first. I believe also that this is truly Thine own most pure Body, and that this is truly Thine own precious Blood. Therefore, I pray Thee: have mercy upon me and forgive my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, committed in knowledge or in ignorance. And make me worthy to partake without condemnation of Thy most pure Mysteries, for the remission of my sins, and unto life everlasting. Amen.
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, niether like Judas will I give Thee a kiss; but like the thief will I confess Thee: Remember me, O Lord, in Thy Kingdom. May the communion of Thy Holy Mysteries be niether to my judgement, nor to my condemnation, O Lord, but to the healing of soul and body! Amen.

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Prayer of Saint Ephraim

O Lord and Master of my life! Take from me the spirit of sloth, despair, lust of power and idle talk. (prostration) But give rather the spirit of chastity, humility, patience, and love to Thy servant. (prostration) Yea, O Lord and King ! Grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou, unto ages of ages. (prostration) O God, cleanse me a sinner! ( 12 Times )(Then the entire Prayer of Saint Ephraim is read and a single prostration is made at the end.)
NOTE: During Great Lent, the Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephraim is said at most services during the week (not on Saturday or Sunday). It is also appropriate for Morning Prayers and the Prayers Before Sleep on the same days.)

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* - Opening paragraphs paraphrased from and prayers copied from the "Orthodox Daily Prayers" published by Saint Tikhon's Seminary Press.

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