THE DORMITION FAST, AUGUST 1st – 15th IS A TIME OF PRAYER, WORSHIP, REPENTANCE, RECONCILIATION…

Orthodox Christians understand that prayer, as the mystery of the unity of man with God, is truly an incomprehensible wonder (miracle) of miracles that can become a daily experience in the soul of the authentic believer who prays with attention, conviction, and truthfulness. Saint John Chrysostom emphasizes that prayer is one of the more powerful actions in the life of a believer, and nothing can be compared with prayer. Prayer is a gift of the Almighty God to man because it is through this divine gift of prayer that the creature is raised up to the Creator and the finite human person is empowered to communicate with the Infinite God.

There can be no spiritual life without prayer, worship, sacraments, and a life of virtue and piety. Every Orthodox Christian believer needs to have his/her personal Prayer Book that contains a variety of prayers for all occasions.

The following are some of those prayers.

MORNING PRAYERS

+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth,
Who art in all places and fillest all things.
Treasury of good things and Giver of Life. Come
and dwell in us and cleanse us from every stain,
and save our souls O Good One.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal
have mercy on us. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to Son, and to the Holy
Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us
from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities. Holy God,
visit and heal our infirmities for Thy Name’s sake.

Kyrie eleison. (Thrice)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the
Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Amen.

Our Father…

A PRAYER TO THE HOLY TRINITY

Arising from sleep, I thank Thee, O Holy Trinity,
because of the abundance of Thy Goodness, and
long-suffering Thou wast not wroth with me,
slothful and sinful as I am; neither has Thou
destroyed me in my transgressions: but in Thy
compassion raised me up, as I lay in despair;
that at dawn I might sing the glories of Thy Majesty,
Do Thou now enlighten the eyes of my understanding,
open my mouth to receive Thy words, teach me Thy
Commandments, help me to do Thy will, confessing
Thee from my heart, singing and praising Thine
All-Holy Name: of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages of
ages. Amen.

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A Prayer for Forgiveness

O Lord our God, if during this day I have sinned,
whether in word or deed or thought, forgive me all,
for Thou are Good and lovest mankind. Grant me
peaceful and undisturbed sleep, and deliver me from
all influence and temptation of the Evil One.
Raise me up again in proper time that I may glorify Thee;
for Thou art blessed: with Thine Only-begotten Son
and Thine All-Holy Spirit: now and ever and unto ages
of ages. Amen.

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A PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

O Lord our God, Good and Merciful, I acknowledge all my
sins which I have committed every day of my life, in thought,
word or deed; in body and soul alike. I am heartily sorry that
I have ever offended Thee, and I sincerely repent; with tears
I humbly pray Thee, O Lord: of Thy mercy forgive me all my
past transgressions and absolve me from them. I firmly
resolve, with the help of Thy Grace, to amend my way of life
and to sin no more; that I make walk in the way of the
righteous and offer praise and glory to the Name of the
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

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THANKSGIVING AFTER
DELIVERANCE FROM TROUBLE

Almighty and Merciful God, I most humbly and heartily thank
Thy Divine Majesty for Thy loving kindness and tender mercies,
that Thou hast heard my humble prayer, and graciously
vouchsafed to deliver me from my trouble and misery. Grant me,
I beseech Thee Thy helping Grace, that I may obediently walk
in the Holy Commandments, and lead a sober, righteous, and
godly life, ever remembering Thy mercies and the blessings Thou
hast undeservedly bestowed upon me, that I may continually
offer to Thee the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, O Father,
Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

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PSALM 50 [51]

Have mercy upon me, O God…

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PREPARING FOR CONFESSION

God does NOT desire the death of a sinner, but rather that he/she
turn away from his/her sins and live. In the holy Mysterion (Mystery
or Sacrament) of Repentance/Confession we have the means
whereby we may obtain forgiveness of our sins, and be restored to
the favor of God, our Heavenly Father.

In order that you may make a good confession, it is necessary for
you TO PREPARE YOURSELF carefully. Ask God to give you grace
to make a thorough examination of our conscience, courage to make
a sincere and COMPLETE CONFESSION, and strength to amend your
way of life in the days ahead.

Begin your examination with the time of your last confession; try
to recall whether you omitted anything through carelessness or
lapse of memory, or from fear of embarrassment.

It is most important and necessary that you be truly sorry for the
sins which you have committed, and that you firmly resolve to amend.

THE ORDER OF CONFESSION
[ While the Penitent is waiting for the Priest to
hear his/her confession he/she says quietly
the "Trisagion Prayers" and Psalm 50th.\

And then aloud:

I HAVE SINNED, O LORD: FORGIVE ME. O GOD
BE MERCIFUL TO ME A SINNER.

And kneeling he/she says,

O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I confess to Thee
all the hidden and open sins of my heart and mind,
which I have committed unto this present day; wherefore
I beg of Thee, the Righteous and compassionate Judge,
remission of sin and grace to sin no more.

Then the Priest says,

My brother (or sister), inasmuch as you have come to
God, and to me, be not ashamed; for you speak not to
me but to God, before Whom you stand.

The Penitent confesses and prayers follow:

My spiritual child, who has confessed to my humble self,
I, humble and sinner, have not power on earth to forgive
sins but God alone…".

God, it was Who forgave David through Nathan the Prophet,
when he confessed his sins, and Peter weeping bitterly for his
denial, and the sinful woman in tears at His feet, the Publican.
and the Prodigal son: May that same God forgive you all things,
through me a sinner, both in this present world and that
which is to come, and set you uncondemned before His dread
Judgment Seat. [And the priest adds: And now, having no
further care for the sins which thou has declared, depart in
peace.

______________________

"Glory Be To GOD
For
Things!"

– Saint John Chyrsostomos

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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George