Anonymous

“ With what can I repay Thee, O Immortal King, the bestower of great gifts, O generous Lord, the Lover of mankind? Though I have been lazy in pleasing Thee and have done no good, Thou hast brought me to the end of this day, ordering the conversion and salvation of my soul. Be merciful towards me, a sinner devoid of any good deeds. Raise up my fallen soul, defiled by immeasurable sins. Remove from me every evil thought of this visible life. ”

“ Preserved by them in Thy holiness, may I always remember Thy Grace and live not for myself alone, but for Thee, our Master and Benefactor. May I pass from this life in the hope of eternal life, and so attain to the everlasting rest, where the voice of those who feast is unceasing, and the gladness of those who behold the goodness of Thy countenance is unending. For Thou art the true desire and the ineffable joy of those who love Thee, O Christ our God, and all creation sings of Thy praise forever. ”

“ Canon to the Guardian Angel Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner!
Pray to God Who loves mankind, my Guardian, and do not abandon me! Keep my life in peace and grant me invincible salvation. ”

“ Take away the heavy burden of my sins, for Thou takest away the sins of the world, Thou healest the infirmities of mankind, Thou callest to Thyself and givest rest to those who labor and are heavy laden.
Thou hast not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Cleanse me from every stain of flesh and spirit. Teach me to fulfill holiness in fear of Thee, that having the testimony of my own conscience clean, and having communion of Thy holy things, I may be united with Thy Body and Blood and may have Thee to dwell and abide in me, with the Father and Thy Holy Spirit. ”

“ As Mother of the God Who loves mankind, have pity on me, a prodigal sinner, in that same love for mankind. Receive the prayer I offer to you with defiled lips and pray to your Son, our Master and Lord, with your maternal boldness. May He open even to me the goodness of His deep love for mankind. [65] May He overlook my countless transgressions, turn me to repentance and make me an experienced accomplisher of His commandments. Stand by me always in your mercy, compassion and love of good. ”

“ Yea, O Lord my Creator, Who desirest not the death of the sinner, but that he should [80] return to Thee and live: grant repentance to me, wretched and unworthy. Snatch me from the jaws of the consuming serpent, its mouth opened to devour me and take me down to hell alive. Yea, my Lord and my Comfort, Who didst put on corruptible flesh for my wretched sake: deliver me from wretchedness and bring comfort to my wretched soul. Implant in my heart the accomplishment of Thy precepts, the abandonment of evil deeds and the obtainment of Thy blessings. ”

“ O Lord Who lovest mankind, forgive those who hate and wrong us. Do good to those who do good. Grant to our brethren and relatives all petitions for salvation and eternal life. Visit the afflicted and heal them. Guide those at sea. Travel with travellers. Join the Orthodox Christians in battle. Grant remission of sins to those who serve us and are kind to us. Have mercy, according to Thy great mercy, on those who have asked us to pray for them, unworthy though we be. Remember, Lord, our fathers and brethren who have fallen asleep before us, and give them rest under the light of Thy countenance. ”

“ How shall I, who am unworthy, enter into the radiance of Thy saints? If I dare to enter the bridal-chamber, my garment accuses me, for it is not a wedding garment, and the angels will bind me and cast me out. Cleanse, O Lord, the filth of my soul and save me, for Thou lovest mankind.
And this prayer:
O Master Who lovest mankind! O Lord Jesus Christ my God! May these holy things not be to my condemnation, though I am unworthy of them. May they be for the cleansing and sanctification of my soul and body and a pledge of the life and [160] Kingdom that are to come. ”

“ I am not worthy, Master and Lord, that Thou shouldst enter under the roof of my soul; yet inasmuch as Thou desirest to live in me as the Lover of mankind, I approach with boldness. Thou hast commanded: Let the doors be opened which Thou alone hast made and Thou shalt enter with Thy love for mankind just as Thou art. ”

“ Because of the inexpressible mercy of Thy love for mankind, Thou didst take to Thyself our entire human composition from the pure blood of the Virgin who gave birth to Thee beyond nature, by the descent of the Holy Spirit and the good-will of the ever-existing Father. ”

“ A Prayer to Our Lord Jesus Christ
by the Monk Antiochus
As we prepare for sleep, Master, grant rest to our bodies and souls. Keep us from the dark sleep of sin and from every dark and passionate pleasure of the night. Still the impulses of passions and put out the flaming arrows which the Evil One looses deceitfully against us. ”

“ We bless Thee, most high God and Lord of mercies, Who ever doest great and unfathomable things for us—glorious and awesome things without number. Thou givest us sleep for the repose of our frailty, relieving the labors of our over-burdened flesh. ”

“ I believe, O Lord, and I confess that Thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God Who camest into the world to save sinners, of whom I am first. I believe also that this is truly Thine own most pure Body, and that this is truly Thine own precious Blood. ”