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
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 deliver us from evil. Amen.
Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.
Trisagion
Holy God [+], Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (x3)
Lesser Doxology
Glory be to the Father [+], and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. 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.
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]
LLX Psalm 50 (Masoretic Psalm 51)
Have mercy on me, God, in Your kindness, in Your compassion blot out my offense. O wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.
My offenses 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. O see, in guilt was I born, a sinner was I conceived.
Indeed You love truth in the heart; then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom. O sprinkle me with hyssop 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. 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.
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.
O rescue me, God, my helper, and my tongue shall ring out Your goodness. O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall delcare 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, O Lord, show favor 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.
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 heavently, 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, 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.