We pray in order to communicate with God, to learn His will for us, and to offer ourselves to Him. God always answers prayer. He may not, however, answer the way we want Him to. While it is true that Jesus said if we ask anything in His name we will receive it, He also said, "Now is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." How do we learn to pray "according to His will"? At the beginning stages of prayer, using written prayers is like having training wheels on a bicycle. Using prayers that have been hallowed by time and use help us become rooted in the mind of the Church and the mind of Christ.
These prayers are some of the most basic prayers of Orthodox Christians throughout the centuries. Take time over the words of the prayers. Say them carefully and reverently. Think about what the words mean. Allow them to sink into your soul. You will find that these prayers will help you communicate with God, and praying will give you great help in time of need.
Lord Jesus Christ, remember Your Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, which You redeemed with Your precious blood. Keep it strong and growing; Keep it in peace.
Lord, have mercy and save our rulers and all who protect us, that we may have a tranquil life, free to pursue right belief, virtue and godly living.
Lord, have mercy and save the holy patriarchs, bishops, and clergy of Your church. Through their prayers have mercy on me, a sinner, and save me.
Lord, have mercy and save my family (parents, brothers, sisters, spouse, children and others) and my friends (names). Give them blessings now and salvation in the life to come.
Lord, have mercy and save:
Lord, remember all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection and eternal life. Forgive all their sins committed in knowledge or ignorance. Let them enjoy Your eternal blessings in the Light of Your presence; Grant them peace, refreshment, fellowship with Your saints, and life that never ends.
Have mercy on us, for You are full of grace and love mankind. Amen.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we sinners, who are without means of defense offer You our Master this supplication, have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
Lord, have mercy on us, for in You we trust. Do not be exceedingly angry with us, nor remember our iniquities. But look upon us now in Your compassion and deliver us from our enemies. For You are our God, and we are Your people; we are all the works of Your hands, and we call upon Your Name.
Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen
Open the gate of your compassion to us, O blessed Mother of God, and hoping in you may we not fail. Through you may we be delivered from adversity, for you are the salvation of the Christian race.
In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
Having invoked the Holy Trinity, be still so that your thoughts may be freed from worldly cares. Make the sign of the cross and bow three times, saying each time the prayer of the publican: "O God, be merciful to me, a sinner."
Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.
O heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who are in all places and fill all things, the Treasure of good things and Giver of life, come and abide in us. Cleanse us from every stain and save our souls, O Good One.
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.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, Pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your Name's sake.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
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 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. 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.
Lord, have mercy. (12 times)
(Then either, "A Morning Prayer" or "An Evening Prayer")
by Saint Philaret of Moscow
O Lord, grant me to greet the coming day in peace, help me in all things to rely upon Your holy will. In every hour of the day reveal Your will to me. Bless my dealings with all who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all are sent by You. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will, teach me to pray. And You, Yourself, pray in me. Amen.
O eternal God, King of all creation, who have granted me to attain to this hour: forgive me the sins which I have committed this day in thought, word, and deed; and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from every stain of flesh and spirit. Grant me, O Lord, to pass through the sleep of this night in peace, that when I rise from my bed I may please Your holy Name all the days of my life, and conquer the enemies, both corporeal and incorporeal, that contend against me. Deliver me, O Lord, from the vain thoughts that stain me, and from evil desires. For Yours 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.
Any special intercessions may be inserted here
It is truly right 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.
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. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
O Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, through the intercession of Your most pure Mother and of all Your saints, have mercy on us and save us, for You are good and love mankind. Amen.
O Lord our God, who by a word alone did heal all diseases, who did cure the kinswoman of Peter, You who chastise with pity and heal according to Your goodness; who are able to put aside every sickness and infirmity, do You Yourself, the same Lord, grant aid to Your servant, (name) and cure him/her of every sickness of which he/she is grieved; and send down upon him/her Your great mercy. And if it be Your will, give to him/her health and a complete recovery; for You are the Physician of our souls and bodies, and to You do we send up glory to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, both now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Almighty God, our Help and Refuge, the Fountain of wisdom and Tower of strength, who know that I can do nothing without Your guidance and help; assist me, I pray, and direct me to divine wisdom and power, that I may accomplish this task, and whatever I may undertake to do, faithfully and diligently, according to Your will, so that it may be profitable to myself and others, and to the glory of Your Holy Name. For Yours 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.