Orthodox Christian Prayers
How We Pray
For Orthodox Christians, prayer is not just something we do, it is something we become. Prayer is something we enter and that moves through us as the Holy Spirit prays to the Father through Christ the Son. When we open ourselves to prayer, our whole beings are transformed, so that as St. Paul says, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me."
Prayer then is unceasing, not because of the words we say, but because of who we become. The love that is of Christ makes its home in our hearts. Christ Himself makes His home in our hearts. He becomes as intimate with us -- no more intimate -- than we are with ourselves. It is not just that He knows everything about us, He knows US and loves us to the depths of who we are. Though He loves us deeply, He never forces Himself upon us but waits for us to invite Him in. Prayers, and especially the Divine Liturgy, are how we do that.
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Morning Prayer of the Optina Elders
O Lord, grant unto me that with Thy peace I may greet all that this day is to bring.
Grant unto me grace to surrender myself completely to Thy holy will.
In every hour of this day instruct and guide me in all things.
Whatever tidings I may receive during this day, do Thou teach me to accept tranquilly in the firm belief that Thy holy will governs all.
Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say.
When unforeseen events occur, let me not forget that all is sent by Thee.
Teach me to behave sincerely and reasonably toward everyone, that I may bring confusion and sorrow to no one.
Bestow on me, O Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day and to bear my part in its events.
Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love.
Amen.
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Books on Praying the Holy Name of Jesus - Learn More About This Powerful Prayer
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
How to Make a Prayer Rope - This Video Shows You How to Make a Prayer Rope
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!
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 trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen.
Hymn to the Theotokos
More honorable than the Cherubim
And more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim
In virginity you gave birth to God the Word.
O pure Theotokos, we magnify you!
Praying with Icons
Why Do Christians Pray with Icons?
Orthodox Christians do not pray to icons, even though we may reverence them by kissing them and by bowing before them. An icon is only made of wood and paint and holds no magic. However, by praying before an icon, we are brought into the presence of the one who is depicted there, and into the presence of Christ Himself who shines freely from the eyes of a saint. And so all icons are truly representations of Christ.
Similarly we are icons for each other in the flesh. The eyes of love see beyond all the foibles and warts and looks into the soul of a person who is made in the image of God. A person who meets those eyes of love can often experience the healing of Christ Himself.
If only we lived up to this holy vocation, how the world of suffering and confusion would be transformed. How all of nature would meet our gaze as a healing balm and not the destruction of consuming greed and death.
Iconography - Shows Iconographer Making an Icon
Litany of Humility
Helpful Prayer
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart, hear me.
From the desire of being esteemed,
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being loved
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being extolled
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being honoured
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being praised
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being preferred to others
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being consulted
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the desire of being approved
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being humiliated
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being despised
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of suffering rebukes
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being calumniated
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being forgotten
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being ridiculed
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being wronged
Deliver me, O Jesus.
From the fear of being suspected
Deliver me, O Jesus.
That others may be loved more than I
O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I
O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may increase and I may decrease
O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside
O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I unnoticed
O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be preferred to me in everything
O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I
O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
That I may become as holy as I should
O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it.
How Should I Pray?
- Prayer Rule
Setting up a rule of prayer.
This lens just scratches the surface of Orthodox Christian prayer. I hope it has touched you in some way.
