Common Prayers

Click the links below to go to the different sections of common prayers.
[+] - this symbol indicates you should make the sign of the cross
[prostration] - this indicates you should perform a prostration, where you kneel, put your head to the ground, and then make the sign of the cross after you stand up.
General Prayers - prayers that all Eastern Christians should know
Morning Prayers - For when you wake from sleep
Evening Prayers - For when the sun sets, or around dinner time
Night Prayers - For before sleep

General Prayers

Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible; and in one Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, the only begotten, born of the Father before all ages. Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in essence with the Father; through whom all things were made. For us and for our salvation, he came down from heaven and was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. He rose on the third day according to the scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he is coming again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of Life, who proceeds from the Father. Together with the Father and the Son [+] He is worshipped and glorified; He spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I profess one baptism for the remission of sins. I expect the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Our Father
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kindom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day thy daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation, but forgive us from evil.

Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.

Trisagion prayer
Holy God [+], Holy and Might, Holy and Immortal have mercy on us (x3)

Lesser Doxology
Glory be to the [+] Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos/Hail Mary
Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos! Mary full of grace the Lord is with you! Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. For you gave birth to Christ the Savior and Redeemer of our souls.

Hail, Mary full of grace, the Lord is with you! Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.

Oldest known prayer to Mary, the Theotokos (roughly AD 250)
Beneath your compassion we take refuge O Virgin Theotokos. Despise not our prayer in our need, but deliver us from danger. For you alone are pure and blessed.

Prayers Before Meals
May the poor eat and be satisfied and may those who seek the Lord praise him and may their hearts live forever.
Glory to the Father [+], and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen
O Christ God bless the food and drink of your servants for you are holy now and ever and forever. Amen.

Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Heavenly King, Comforter
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things, treasury of blessings and Giver of Life - come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls O Gracious One.

Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian
O Lord and Master of my life, spare me from the spirit of indifference, despair, lust for power, and idle chatter [prostration]. Instead bestow upon me, your servant, a spirit of integrity, humility, patience and love [prostration]. Yes, O Lord and King, let me see my own sins and not judge my brothers and sisters, for you are holy now and ever and forever. [prostration]

LXX Psalm 50 (Masoretic Psalm 51)
Have mercy on me, O God, in the greatness of your love; in the abundance of your tender mercies wipe out my offense.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I am well aware of my iniquity, and my sin is before me always.

It is you alone I have offended, I have done what is evil in your sight; wherefore You are just in Your decrees and triumphant in your judgement.

Behold, I was born in iniquities and in sins my mother conceived me. But You are the Lover of Truth: You have shown me the depths and secrets of Your Wisdom.

Cleanse me with hyssop and I shall be pure; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear sounds of joy and feasting; the bones that were afflicted shall rejoice.

Turn Your face away from my offenses and whipe off all my sins. A spotless heart create in me, O God; renew a steadfast spirit in my breast.

Cast me not afar from Your face; take not Your Blessed Spirit out of me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and let Your guiding Spirit dwell in me.

I will teach Your ways to the sinners, and the wicked shall return to You. Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God, my saving God, and my tongue will joyfully sing Your justice.

O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall declare Your praise. Had you desired sacrifice, I would have offered it, but You will not be satisfied with whole-burnt offerings.

Sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit: a crushed and humbled heart God will not spurn. In Your kindness, O Lord, be bountiful to Sion; may the walls of Jerusalem be restored.

Then will You delight in just oblation, in sacrifice and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer calves upon Your altar.

Morning Prayers

Morning prayer by St. Macarius
Awakening from sleep I hasten to You, O Master and Lover of Mankind. As I, through  Your mercy, begin to fulfill my duties to You, I beseech You: aid me every minute and in every deed. Deliver me from every worldly, evil thing and every impulse of the devil and save me and lead me to Your eternal kingdom. You are my Creator and the Giver of every blessing. In You I trust, and to You I give praise, now and ever and forever. Amen.

Twenty-four petitions, one for each hour of the day
 (attributed to St. John Chrysostom)
O Lord, do not deprive me of Your heavenly riches.
O Lord, deliver me from eternal torments.
O Lord, if I have sinned by mind, thought, word, or deed, forgive me.
O Lord, deliver me from every type of ignorance, forgetfulness, apathy, and faintheartedness.
O Lord, deliver me from every type of temptation.
O Lord, enlighten my heart, which sinful desires cloud
O Lord, I as a human have sinned. You as a gracious God see the weakness of my soul and have mercy on me.
O Lord, send Your grace to me as a help so that I may glorify Your holy Name.
O Lord Jesus Christ, inscribe me in the book of life and grant to me a good end.
O Lord, my God, even though I have done nothing good before You, grant that I may lay down a worthy beginning according to Your goodness.
O Lord, sprinkle in my heart the dew of Your grace.
O Lord of heaven and earth, remember me, Your sinful servant, in Your kingdom. Amen
O Lord, receive me in repentance.
O Lord, do not forsake me.
O Lord, do not lead me into misfortune.
O Lord, give me good thoughts.
O Lord, give me tears and a remembrance of death.
O Lord, give me the thought of confessing my sins.
O Lord, give me humility, purity, and obedience.
O Lord, give me suffering, generosity, and meekness.
O Lord, implant in my heart the root of all good and the fear of You.
O Lord, enable me to love You with my whole heart and mind and to do Your will in all things.
O Lord, protect me from unjust people, demons, sufferings, and from every other evil.
O Lord, You are known in Your work and in Your will; let Your will be done in me, a sinner, for You are blessed forever. Amen.

Evening Prayers

O Joyful Light
O joyful light of the holy glory of the Father Immortal, the heavenly, holy blessed One, O Jesus Christ, now that we have reached the setting of the sun, and see the evening light, we sing to God, Father [+], Son, and Holy Spirit. It is fitting at all times to raise a song of praise in measured melody to You, O Son of God, the Giver of Life. Therefore the universe sings Your glory.

Canticle of St. Simeon (Lk 2:29-32)
Now You may dismiss Your servant, O Lord, in peace according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.

Night Prayers

Prayer before sleeping
The Father [+] is my hope, the Son is my refuge, and the Holy Spirit is my protection. O Holy Trinity, glory to You!

Prayer of St. John Damascene
O Master, Lover of Mankind, is this bed to be my grave, or will you enlighen my wretched soul with another day? Behold, the grave lies before me; behold, death confronts me. I fear, O Lord, Your judgement and the endless torments, yet I do not cease to do evil. My Lord God, I continually anger You, and Your most pure Mother, and all the heavenly hosts, and my holy guardian angel. I know, O Lord, that I am unworthy of Your love for mankind, but am worthy of every condemnation and torment. But, O Lord, whether  I will it or do not will it, save me. For to save a righteous one is no great thing, and to have mercy on the pure is nothing wonderful, for they are worthy of Your mercy. But on me, a sinner, show the wonder of Your mercy; in this reveal Your love for mankind lest my wickedness overcome Your ineffable goodness and merciful kindness, and order my life as You wish.