Orthodox Daily Prayers Part 14

O Lady Mary, the unwedded Theotokos and hope of the faithful: Cast down the arrogance of the Enemy and give joy to those who hymn you.

ODE 6

Irmos: Beholding the Sea of Life raging with the storm of temptations, I have fled to Thy calm haven and cry to Thee: Deliver my life from destruction, O Most-merciful One!

Canon of Repentance

Have mercy on me, O G.o.d, have mercy on me!

I have lived my life on earth prodigally and committed my soul to darkness. Now, O Merciful Master, I pray: free me from the Enemy's labor and give me the intelligence to do Thy will.

Have mercy on me, O G.o.d, have mercy on me!

Who does what I do? As a pig wallows in mud, so do I serve sin! Pull me out of this mire, Lord, and give me the heart to accomplish Thy commandments.

Have mercy on me, O G.o.d, have mercy on me!

Lift yourself towards G.o.d, wretched man, recalling your transgressions!

Fall down before the Creator with tears and groans! Being merciful, He will give you the mind to know His will.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

Keep us from both visible and invisible harm, O Virgin Theotokos! Receive my prayers, Most Pure One, and bear them to your Son, that He may give me the mind to do His will.

Canon to the Theotokos

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

My nature was captive of death and corruption, O Virgin, but your Son and Lord saved it from both by surrendering Himself to death. Pray to Him for my deliverance from the evil deeds of my enemies.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

I know that you are the Intercessor of my life, O Virgin, my firm Protectress, healing the rebellions of temptations and dispelling the wiles of demons. I pray constantly that you will deliver me from my destructive pa.s.sions.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

We have obtained you, O Maiden, as a wall of refuge and a most thorough salvation of souls. The mult.i.tude of human sorrows is not too great for you, and we ever rejoice in your illumination. Save us now, O Lady, from pa.s.sions and misfortunes.

Most Holy Theotokos, save us!

I am lying on a bed of infirmity and there is no cure for my flesh. But I pray to you, the Good One who bore the G.o.d and Savior of the world: raise me from the destruction of illnesses.

Canon to the Guardian Angel

Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to G.o.d for me, a sinner!

I pray to you, holy Angel whom G.o.d has give to me as my good guardian: free me from every temptation!

Holy Angel of the Lord, my Guardian, pray to G.o.d for me, a sinner!

Shine light on my mind, O good one, and enlighten me! I pray you, holy Angel: teach me always to have wholesome thoughts.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

Deliver my heart from this present noise, O my Guardian, and strengthen me to keep a good vigil, wondrously instructing me towards life-giving stillness.

Now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

The Word of G.o.d dwelt in you, O Theotokos, and showed you to mankind as a Ladder to Heaven. Through you, He Who is on high came down to us.

Lord, have mercy! (3 times)

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

Kontakion, Tone 6

O my soul, why do you enrich yourself with sins? Why do you do the Devil's will? In what have you put your hope? Cease all this and turn to G.o.d, weeping and crying: O compa.s.sionate Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!

Ikos

Contemplate, my soul, the bitter hour of death and the dread judgment of your Creator and G.o.d. Threatening angels will seize you, my soul, and lead you to eternal flames. Repent before your death, therefore, crying: O Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!

ODE 7

Irmos: The Angel made the furnace a source of dew for the pious youths, and the Will of G.o.d, which burned the Chaldeans, made the persecutor call out: Blessed art Thou, O G.o.d of our fathers!