Prayers

PRAYER FOR THE OPENING OF THE MIND Lord Jesus Christ, Teacher of wisdom, I pray Thee, open the eyes of my heart, that I may hear Thy word and understand it, and do Thy holy will revealed therein to us sinful and foolish people. Lord God my Saviour, since Thou hast come to earth to seek and to save the lost, hide not from me Thy commandments, for I too perish in the darkness of ignorance of Thy law: but open the eyes of my mind that I may understand the wonders of Thy teaching, and tell me the hidden and secret things of Thy wisdom. In Thee I trust, my God, that with the light of Thy knowledge Thou wilt enlighten my mind and reason, that I might not only read what is written but also do it. I pray Thee, and falling down with tears I cry unto Thee: Lord, enlighten me, teach me, make me wise, that I may read Thy holy word and the lives of Thy Saints, not unto sin, but unto the renewal and enlightenment, the sanctification and salvation of my soul, and the inheritance of eternal life. Amen. PRAYER OF METROPOLITAN PHILARET, WONDERWORKER OF MOSCOW O Lord, I know not what to ask of Thee. Thou alone knowest what I truly need. Thou lovest me more than I myself know how to love. Father, give to Thy servant what I myself know not how to ask for. I dare not ask for either a cross or a consolation; I can only wait on Thee. My heart is open to Thee. Visit and help me for Thy great mercy's sake. Strike me and heal me; cast me down and raise me up. I worship in silence Thy holy will and Thy inscrutable ways. I offer myself as a sacrifice to Thee; I have no other desire than to fulfil Thy will. Teach me to pray. Pray Thou Thyself in me. Amen. DAILY PRAYER Lord, grant that I may meet all that this coming day brings to me with spiritual tranquility. Grant that I may fully surrender myself to Thy holy will. For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in all things. Whatsoever news I receive during the day, teach me to accept it with a calm soul, and firm conviction that all is subject to Thy holy will. Direct my thoughts and feelings in all my words and actions. In all unexpected occurrences, do not let me forget that all is sent down from Thee. Teach me to behave sincerely and rationally toward every member of my family, so that I may bring confusion and sorrow to no one. Give me the strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day, and all that it shall bring during its course. Direct my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love. Amen. PRAYER OF REPENTANCE OF ST. SYMEON THE NEW THEOLOGIAN Lord, Thou seest all, and there is nothing that is hidden from Thee. Though I am the work of Thy hands, I have not done deeds worthy of Thy commandments, but through my great folly have done every evil, without considering that Thou, my Creator and God, art as much good as Thou art just. And now, remembering this, fear takes hold of me, and I know not what to do. I feel Thy judgment, and find no words of excuse in my mouth. I have no virtue and have performed no deed of repentance which might be worth even one idle word of my mouth being forgiven for its sake. Moreover, even one who has every virtue and does every kind of good deed does so as a servant and debtor; in all this he will find no ransom for his sin: only Thy mercy can supply that. Sin is death, and who of those who have died through it can raise himself? Truly no one. Thou alone hast died and risen, for Thou didst not commit sin, and no deceit was found in Thy mouth. And so, Lord, Master of all, having committed many evil deeds, I repent. But repentance alone is powerless to justify me. Repentance is the acknowledgment of one's sins, but it is Thy mercy that takes them away. Thou seest, Master and Lord, that now I have nothing but my body; yet there is no benefit for me in having given up all wealth. I am wholly one wound; in me there remains no hope of salvation, and hell is ready to swallow me alive. Thou alone canst save me and heal the sufferings of my heart. Thy hand is able to do all things; it reaches even to the depths of the abyss, and all is done at Thy word. I dare not say: have mercy on me, Lord! For I am unworthy of Thy mercy, as one who justly deserves every punishment. But do Thou, O Lord, who knowest all, act toward me according as Thy love for mankind knows, unworthy even of life itself. Let Thy holy will be done in all things. Amen.