PRAYERS / МОЛИТВИ

Slava Isusu Christu!

Slava na v’iki! 

Start & End Your Day During Lent with The Prayer of St. Ephrem

O Lord and Master of my life, Keep from me the spirit of indifference and discouragement, lust of power and idle chatter. (Prostration) Instead, grant to me Your servant, The spirit of wholeness of being, humble mindedness, patience, and love. (Prostration) O Lord and King, Grant me the grace to be aware of my sins, and not to judge my neighbour, For you are Blessed, now and forever (Prostration)

In his encyclical, Ecclesia de Eucharistia ,  Pope John Paul II encouraged the practice of spiritual communion, “which has been a wonderful part of Catholic life for centuries and recommended by saints who were masters of the spiritual life”(EdE, 1, April 17, 2003).

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI also encourages us to make spiritual communions when circumstances occur that prevent sacramental communion. “In such circumstances it is beneficial to cultivate a desire for full union with Christ through the practice of spiritual communion, praised by Pope John Paul II and recommended by saints who were masters of the spiritual life” (Sacramentum Caritatis, 55).

What is spiritual communion? St. Thomas Aquinas described it as “an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the most holy sacrament and lovingly embrace him” at a time or in circumstances when we cannot receive him in sacramental Communion.

Spiritual Communion Prayer attributed to St. Alphonsus Liguori:

My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Blessed Sacrament.
I love you above all things and I desire you with all my heart.
Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,
I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as if you were already in my heart
and unite myself to you completely.
Please do not let me ever by separated from you.

DAILY PRAYERS
In the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen. (3x)
By the prayers of our holy fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us.
Amen.

+Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Heavenly King, Advocate, Spirit of Truth, who are everywhere present and fill all things, Treasury of Blessings, Bestower of Life, come, and dwell within us; cleanse us of all that defiles us, and O Good One, save our souls.

We have seen the true light; we have received the heavenly Spirit; we have found the true faith! We worship the undivided Trinity for having saved us.

O Lord, when You sent down Your Spirit, upon the assembled Apostles, the children of Israel were struck with awe as they heard them speak in many tongues, inspired by the Holy Spirit. They knew them to be illiterate and now saw them wise, speaking divine truths and bringing Gentiles to the faith. Therefore, we also cry out to You: You have appeared on earth and saved us from error; O Lord, glory to You!

Prayer to the Holy Spirit – Ukrainian

Царю небесний, утішителю, Душе істини, що всюди єси і все наповняєш, скарбе дібр і життя подателю, прийди і вселися в нас, і очисти нас від усякої скверни, і спаси, Благий, душі наші.

Ми бачили світло істинне, ми прийняли Духа небесного, ми знайшли віру істинну, нероздільній Тройці поклоняємось, вона бо спасла нас.

Thrice Holy Hymn
+ Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3x)
+ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Prayer to the Blessed Trinity
Trinity most holy, have mercy on us.
Cleanse us of our sins O Lord; pardon our transgressions O Master; look upon our weaknesses and heal them O Holy One, for the sake of Your name.
Lord, have mercy. (3x)
+ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

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.
Lord, have mercy. (12x)
+ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

My offences truly I know them;* my sin is always before me. Against You, You alone, have I sinned;* what is evil in Your sight I have done.
That You may be justified when You give sentence*and be without reproach when You judge.

Psalm 50
Have mercy on me, God, in Your kindness.*In Your compassion blot out my offence. O wash me more and more from my guilt* and cleanse me from my sin.

O purify me, then I shall be clean;* O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,* that the bones You have crushed may thrill.

O see, in guilt, I was born,* a sinner was I conceived. Indeed, You love truth in the heart;* then in the secret of my heart teach me
wisdom.

Give me again the joy of Your help;* with a spirit of fervour sustain me,
That I may teach transgressors Your ways*and sinners may return to You.

From my sins turn away Your face* and blot out all my guilt.
A pure heart create for me, O God,*put a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,*nor deprive me of Your holy spirit.

Rescue me, God, my helper,*and my tongue shall ring out Your goodness.

O Lord, open my lips* and my mouth shall declare Your praise.
For in sacrifice You take no delight,* burnt offering from me You would refuse.

O rescue me, God, my helper,*and my tongue shall ring out Your goodness.

My sacrifice, a contrite spirit.*A humbled, contrite heart You will not spurn. In Your goodness, show favour to Zion:*rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then You will be pleased with lawful sacrifice, burnt offerings wholly consumed,*Then You will be offered young bulls on Your altar.

O Lord, open my lips* and my mouth shall declare Your praise.
For in sacrifice You take no delight,* burnt offering from me You would refuse.

My sacrifice, a contrite spirit.*A humbled, contrite heart You will not spurn. In Your goodness, show favour to Zion:*rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then You will be pleased with lawful sacrifice, burnt offerings wholly consumed,*Then You will be offered young bulls on Your altar.

My sacrifice, a contrite spirit.*A humbled, contrite heart You will not spurn. In Your goodness, show favour to Zion:*rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then You will be pleased with lawful sacrifice, burnt offerings wholly consumed,*Then You will be offered young bulls on Your altar.

The Nicene Constantinopolitan Creed
I believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen.

I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father. Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father.

Through Him, all things were made. For us men and for our salvation

He came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit
He was born of the Virgin Mary and became man.

For our sake, He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day, He rose again in fulfilment of the Scriptures: He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,

Who proceeds from the Father. With the Father and the Son
He is worshipped and glorified.

He has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayers to the Mother of God
Rejoice, Mother of God, Virgin 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 Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of our souls.

It is truly right to bless you, O God-bearing One, as the ever-blessed and immaculate Mother of our God. More honourable than the cherubim and by far more glorious than the seraphim; ever a virgin, you gave birth to God the Word, O true Mother of God, we magnify you.

We flee to the shelter of your mercy, O Virgin Mother of God. Do not reject our prayers of anguish, but free us from tribulations, O only pure and blessed One. Most glorious, ever-virgin Mother of God, receive our prayers and bring them to Your Son and our God, that because of You, He may save our souls.

Prayer to the Angels
All you heavenly powers, holy angels and archangels, pray to God for us sinners.

Prayer to All Saints
O glorious saints and all-praiseworthy apostles, prophets, martyrs, and all the saints, pray to God for us sinners.

Prayers are taken from the Devotional Prayerbook ‘Beneath The Mantel Of Your Mercy’, printed by the Basilian Press, Toronto, ON, M8Z 3A5 

www.skeparchy.org/publications/other-documents/beneath-the-mantle-sample.pdf

Prayer For The Beginning of the Day
Lord, grant, that I may meet this day and all that it shall bring, with spiritual peace.

Grant that I may submit myself completely to Your holy will.  In every hour of the day; be my support and my guide.

Whatever news I may receive today, teach me to accept it with a peaceful soul and with the firm conviction that Your will governs all things.

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.

O Lord, give me the strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring.

Direct my will.  Teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to endure all things, to forgive and to love.
Amen.

A Student’s Prayer
Christ my Lord, the Giver of light and wisdom, who opened the eyes of the blind man and transformed the fishermen into wise heralds and teachers of the Gospel through the coming of the Holy Spirit, shine also into my mind the light of the grace of the Holy Spirit.  Grant me discernment, understanding and wisdom in learning.  Enable me to complete my assignments and to abound in every good work, for to You I give honour and glory.  Amen.

Before Study
Christ, the true Light, Who enlightens and sanctifies every person coming into the world, let the light of Your countenance shine upon me that I may see Your unapproachable Light.  Guide my steps in the way of Your commandments, through the intercessions of Your all-holy Mother and of all the saints.  Amen.

After Study
I thank Your, Lord our God, that again on this occasion You have opened my eyes to the light of Your Wisdom.  You have gladdened my heart with the knowledge of truth.
I entreat You, Lord, help me always to do Your will.  Bless my soul and body, my words and deeds.  Enable me to grow in grace, virtue and good habits, that Your name be glorified, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and for ever and ever.  Amen.

Evening Prayer
Now that the day has come to a close, I thank You, O Lord, and I ask of You that my evening and my night be without sin.  Grant this to me, O Saviour, and save me.

+ Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

Now that the day has come to a close, I glorify Your, O Master, and I ask of Your that my evening and my night be without offence.  Grant this to me, O saviour, and save me.

Now and for ever and ever.  Amen

Now that the day has come to a close, I praise You, O Holy One, and I ask of You that my evening and my night be undisturbed.  Grant this to me, O Saviour, and save me.

Lord, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.  Lord, have mercy.

Intercessory Prayer
O Lord, Jesus Christ, in Your mercy and loving-kindness, accept the prayers of all who call upon You with their whole heart.

Incline Your ear and hear my prayer, which I humbly offer to You as a spiritual sacrifice for the needs of Your people.

Remember, O Lord, Your holy catholic and apostolic Church, which You have purchased with Your precious Blood.

Confirm and strengthen it, enlarge and multiply it.
Keep it in peace and preserve it unconquerable forever.

Remember, O Lord, our bishop , and every bishop, the priests, deacons and all the clergy of Your Church, which You have established to feed the flock of Your word.

Remember, O Lord, all civil authorities and those who protect us. 

Remember this city in which we live and every city and country.
Grant us peaceful times, so that we may lead a calm and tranquil life in all godliness and dignity.

Remember, O Lord, my family and friends .

Grant them Your mercy and salvation.

Remember, O Lord, and have mercy upon the young and the old, the needy, the orphans and the widows.

Visit those who are in sickness and sorrow, in distress, affliction and oppression.

Grant them comfort, healing and deliverance.
Save, O Lord, those who are held captive, in prison and confinement.
Be especially merciful to Your servants who suffer persecution for Your sake.

Deliver them from every evil circumstance.

Remember, O Lord, those who travel by sea, land or air.
Guide and protect them.

Forgive, O Lord, and have mercy upon those who harbour envy or hatred towards me.

Remember, O Lord, those who have been kind to me and have asked me, unworthy as I am, to pray for them.

Give them Your grace and grant them all their requests which are helpful to salvation and eternal life.

Remember, O Lord, all those who have fallen asleep in the hope of resurrection and eternal life, especially .

Grant them rest in a place enlightened by the light of Your countenance.

Remember me, O Lord, Your humble servant.  Grant me the grace to be always faithful to You, that I may avoid bad company and influence, and resist all temptation, so that I may lead a godly and righteous life, blameless and peaceful.

Hear my prayer, O Lord, for You are merciful and compassionate, and You love mankind.  All glory, honour and worship befit You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever.
Amen.