The Prayers
A messed-up Christian prayer portfolioPrayer of St. Philaret of Moscow
O Lord, grant me to greet the coming of the 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 the 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; pray You Yourself in me. Amen.
A Morning Prayer
O Eternal God, the beginningless and everlasting Light, fashioner of all creation, fountain of mercy, abyss of goodness, and unsearchable depth of love for man; cause the light of Your countenance to shine upon us, O Lord. Shine in our hearts, O spiritual Sun of Righteousness; fill our souls with Your joy; teach us ever to ponder an proclaim your judgments and always to give thanks to You, our Master and Benefactor. Direct the work of our hands to do Your will; guide us to do those things that are pleasing and dear to You, that through us, unworthy though we are, Your all-holy name may be glorified, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one Godhead and Kingdom, to whom is due all glory, honor, and worship forever. Amen.
A Prayer of The Holy Spirit
O Lord our God, You gave Your peace to men and sent down the gift of Your All-holy Spirit upon Your disciples and apostles, and by Your power You opened their lips with tongues of fire. Open also my lips and teach me, sinner though I am, how and for what I should pray. Guide my life, O calm Haven of the storm-tossed, and reveal the way in which I should walk. Renew a right spirit within me, and with Your Sovereign Spirit steady my mind, that, guided and guarded each day by Your good Spirit, I may be able to practice Your commandments, always remembering Your glorious presence that looks upon the deeds of men. Let me not be deceived by the corrupting delights of this world, but rather strengthen in me the desire to attain the treasures of the world to come. For blessed and praised are You in all Your saints forever and ever. Amen.
A Prayer for Every Hour
O Eternal God, the beginningless and everlasting Light, fashioner of all creation, fountain of mercy, abyss of goodness, and unsearchable depth of love for man; cause the light of Your countenance to shine upon us, O Lord. Shine in our hearts, O spiritual Sun of Righteousness; fill our souls with Your joy; teach us ever to ponder an proclaim your judgments and always to give thanks to You, our Master and Benefactor. Direct the work of our hands to do Your will; guide us to do those things that are pleasing and dear to You, that through us, unworthy though we are, Your all-holy name may be glorified, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, one Godhead and Kingdom, to whom is due all glory, honor, and worship forever. Amen.
A Prayer of Forgiveness
(prayed before sleep)
O Lord our God, if I have sinned in anything this day, in word, or deed, or thought, forgive me all, for You are good, and You love mankind. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep, and deliver me from the assault and attack of the evil one. Rouse me at the proper time to glorify You, for blessed are You, together with Your Only-begotten Son and Your All-Holy Sprit, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
O Lord our God, if I have sinned in anything this day, in word, or deed, or thought, forgive me all, for You are good, and You love mankind. Grant me peaceful and undisturbed sleep, and deliver me from the assault and attack of the evil one. Rouse me at the proper time to glorify You, for blessed are You, together with Your Only-begotten Son and Your All-Holy Sprit, now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
A Prayer in Time of Need
Almighty God, Father of mercy and God of all consolation, come to my aid and deliver me from all adversity. For I believe, O Lord, that all trials of this life are under Your care, and that all things work for the good of those who love You. Take away from me fear, anxiety, and distress. Help me to face and endure my difficulties with faith, courage, and wisdom. Grant that this trial may bring me closer to You, for You are my rock and my refuge, my comfort and my hope, my delight and my joy. In Your love and compassion do I place my trust. For blessed is Your name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and forevermore. Amen.
A Prayer For Self-Knowledge
O Lord Jesus, let me know myself and You, and desire nothing save You only.
Let me hate myself and love You.
Let me do everything for the sake of You.
Let me humble myself and exalt You.
Let me think of nothing except You.
Let me die to myself and live in You.
Let me accept whatever happens as from You.
Let me banish myself and follow You, and ever desire to follow You.
Let me flee from myself and take refuge in You,
That I may deserve to be defended by You.
Let me fear for myself.
Let me fear You, and let me be among those who are chosen by You.
Let me distrust myself and put my trust in You.
Let me be willing to obey for the sake of You.
Let me cling to nothing but You.
And let me be poor because of You.
Look upon me, that I may love you.
Beckon me that I may see You and forever rejoice in You. Amen.
A Prayer of Hope
For Your Mercy’s sake, O Lord my God, tell me what You are to me. Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.” So speak that I may hear, O Lord; my heart is listening; open it that it may hear You, and say to my soul, “I am your salvation.” After hearing this word, may I come in haste to take hold of You. Hide not Your face from me. Let me behold Your face even if I die, lest I die with longing to see it. The house of my soul is too small to receive You; let it be enlarged by You. It is all in ruins; do You repair it. There are things in it – I confess and I know – that must offend Your sight. But who shall cleanse it? Or to whom besides You shall I cry out? From my secret sins cleanse me, O Lord, and from those of others spare Your servant. Amen.
A Prayer in Time of Trouble
O God, our help and assistance, who are just and merciful, and who hears the supplications of Your people. Look down upon me, a miserable sinner, have mercy upon me, and deliver me from this trouble that besets me, for which, I know, I am deservingly suffering. I acknowledge and believe, O Lord, that all trials of this life are given by You for our chastisement, when we drift away from You and disobey Your commandments. Deal not with me after my sins but according to Your bountiful mercies, for I am the work of Your hands and You know my weakness. Grant me, I beseech You, Your divine helping grace, and endow me with patience and strength to endure my tribulations with complete submission to Your will. You know my misery and suffering and to You, my only hope and refuge, I flee for relief and comfort. I trust Your infinite love and compassion that in due time, when You know best, You will deliver me from this trouble and turn my distress into comfort. Then I shall rejoice in Your mercy and exalt and praise Your Holy Name, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.