THE PRAYER

encounter
with the creator!

Nothing is mightier than a human who prays,
because through prayer he becomes partaker of the power of God.

St. John Chrysostom

What is prayer and why should Christians pray? A short answer to this question is: prayer is one conversation with God, one Encounter with the Creator. As food is necessary for physical existence and bodily growth, so is prayer for the psychic existence and the growth of the soul essential.

It is difficult to imagine a Christian who does not pray. Because Christianity is based on the knowledge that feeds on the living experience of an encounter with the Heavenly Father. It is precisely prayer that allows us to presence of God in our lives feel. For those who pray, God is not an abstract idea, but a well-known and loved personality who accompanies them through life.

It is not complicated to pray. You can pray in your own words as well as using well-known prayers such as the "Lord's Prayer". It is important to pray from the heart, without trying to delude yourself. There is that personal prayer and there is this prayer in community during the service in the church. Both types of prayer are a necessity.

In personal prayer we take our feelings to God and tell him what is on our hearts. Therefore our prayer can be joyful or sad, angry or happy. But it should always be an honest conversation.

When is the appropriate time for prayer? Almost always. Scripture teaches us to pray constantly. Nevertheless, there are special hours during the day that the Christian should devote to prayer. This is the morning when we get up and prepare for the daily work, but also the evening when we go to rest. There are also prayers before different actions or on different occasions. For example, prayers before and after eating, before a journey, before studying, for health, for the living, for the dead, prayers of thanksgiving, praise, etc.

Here are some of the most popular prayers, tips, and literature. You can also tell us your prayer request.

Nothing is mightier than a human who prays,
because through prayer he becomes partaker of the power of God.

St. John Chrysostom

What is prayer and why should Christians pray? A short answer to this question is: prayer is one conversation with God, one Encounter with the Creator. As food is necessary for physical existence and bodily growth, so is prayer for the psychic existence and the growth of the soul essential.

It is difficult to imagine a Christian who does not pray. Because Christianity is based on the knowledge that feeds on the living experience of an encounter with the Heavenly Father. It is precisely prayer that allows us to presence of God in our lives feel. For those who pray, God is not an abstract idea, but a well-known and loved personality who accompanies them through life.

It is not complicated to pray. You can pray in your own words as well as using well-known prayers such as the "Lord's Prayer". It is important to pray from the heart, without trying to delude yourself. There is that personal prayer and there is this prayer in community during the service in the church. Both types of prayer are a necessity.

In personal prayer we take our feelings to God and tell him what is on our hearts. Therefore our prayer can be joyful or sad, angry or happy. But it should always be an honest conversation.

When is the appropriate time for prayer? Almost always. Scripture teaches us to pray constantly. Nevertheless, there are special hours during the day that the Christian should devote to prayer. This is the morning when we get up and prepare for the daily work, but also the evening when we go to rest. There are also prayers before different actions or on different occasions. For example, prayers before and after eating, before a journey, before studying, for health, for the living, for the dead, prayers of thanksgiving, praise, etc.

Here are some of the most popular prayers, tips, and literature. You can also tell us your prayer request.

Known prayers:

Our father in Heaven,
Blessed be your name.
Thy kingdom come.
Your will will happen,
as in heaven so on earth.
Our daily bread Give us today.
And forgive us our sins
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom and the power
and the glory forever. Amen.

Only begotten Son and Word of God,
and immortal being,
you the incarnation
from the holy Theotokos
and eternal virgin took upon you.

O changeless one,
after you became human
were you crucified
O Christ our God,
through your death
[you] conquered death.

You, one of the Holy Trinity:
Co-glorified with the Father
and the Holy Spirit
revive us.

1. In faith I confess and prostrate before you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, created out of nothing and immortal, Creator of angels, of men and of all beings, have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

2. In faith I confess and prostrate before you, inseparable light, common Holy Trinity and one Deity, creator of light and banisher of darkness, banishing from my spirit the darkness of sin and ignorance and enlightening my mind so that my prayer may be in this hour becomes agreeable for you and I accept my request from you; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

3. Heavenly Father, true God, thou who sent thy beloved Son to seek thy stray sheep, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, receive me as a prodigal son, and clothe me in the first robe which I gave up because of my sins; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

4. Son of God, true God, you who humbled yourself from your father's womb and took the body of the Blessed Virgin Mary for our salvation. You were crucified, buried, rose from the dead and ascended to heaven in glory, ascending beside the Father. I have sinned against heaven and before you. When you come with your kingdom, think of me as a thief; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

5. Holy Spirit, true God, you who descended into the Jordan and into the upper room and enlightened me by baptism in the holy font, I have sinned against heaven and before you, cleanse me again by your divine fire, how you cleansed the apostles with tongues of fire; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

6. Being created from nothing, I have sinned by my mind, in my spirit and with my body, remember not my past sins, for the sake of your holy name; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

7. All-seeing God, I have sinned in thought, word and deed, erase the handwriting of my iniquities and write my name in the book of life; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

8. Prover of mysteries, I have sinned against you, willingly and unwillingly, knowingly and unknowingly. Grant forgiveness to me, the sinner, for I have sinned before your Divinity from my birth in the holy font to this day, with my senses and with every member of my body; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

9. All-providing God, put Thy holy fear as a guard over my eyes, lest I see sinful things; and to my ears, lest I take pleasure in hearing evil words; and on my mouth, lest I speak lies; and to my heart, lest I think of evil; and on my hands, lest I do iniquity; and at my feet, lest I walk in the wrong way, but direct their movement, that they may always be according to all thy commandments; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

10. Living fire, Christ, the fire of your love which you have thrown into the world, kindle within me, that it may burn up the filth of my spirit and cleanse my conscience and blot out the sin of my body and the light of your knowledge in my heart inflamed and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

11. Wisdom of the Father, Christ, give me the wisdom to think, speak and do good before you at all times. Deliver me from evil thoughts, words and deeds; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

12. Lord, patron of good and creator of will, do not let me go according to my own will, but lead me always to be according to your benevolent will; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

13. Heavenly King, give me your kingdom which you promised to those who love you and strengthen my heart to abhor sin and to love only you and to do your will; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

14. Provider of creation, under the sign of your cross, keep my spirit and my body from the deceptions of sin, from the temptations of the devil, from unrighteous men, and from all danger to soul and body; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

15. Protector of all, Christ, may thy right hand be protecting me day and night when I am at home, when I am on the way, when I sleep and wake, that I never waver; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

16. My God, you who open your hand and fill all your creation with your mercy, I entrust myself to you. Prepare and provide for the needs of my soul and body now and forever; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

17. You who turn back the lost, turn me from my evil habits to good habits, and establish in my soul the day of my death, and the fear of hell, and the love of the kingdom of heaven, that I may repent of my sins and do justice ; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

18. Source of immortality, let the tears of repentance flow from my heart like those of the whore, so that I may wash away my sins before I depart from this world; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

19. Giver of mercy, grant me to come to you in true faith and good deeds and by the feeding of your blood and body; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

20. Kind Lord, entrust me to a good angel, that I may gently give up my spirit, and pass over undisturbed by the wicked devils that are under heaven; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

21. True light, Christ, make my spirit worthy, on the day that you call me, to see the light of your glory with joy, and to rest in good hope in the tabernacle of the just, until the day of your great coming; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

22. Righteous Judge, when you come in the glory of the Father to judge the living and the dead, do not go into judgment with your servant, but deliver me from the eternal fire and make audible to me the blessed voice that the righteous heavenly realm calls; and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

23. Most merciful Lord, have mercy on all your believers, ours and strangers; the known and the unknown; of the living and the dead, and forgive my enemies and those who hate me for the sins they have committed against me. Turn them away from the evil thoughts they harbor against me, so that they may be worthy of your mercy, and have mercy on your creation and on me, the many-sinner.

24. Glorified Lord, hear the supplication of Your servant and fulfill my request in goodness through the intercession of the Holy Mother of God and John the Baptist, Saint Stephen the First Martyr, Saint Gregory our Illuminator and the Holy Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, martyrs, patriarchs, hermits, virgins, monks and all your saints in heaven and on earth. To you, your inseparable Trinity, praise and worship from eternity to eternity. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will towards men! We praise You, we praise You, we adore You, we glorify You, we thank You for Your great glory. Lord, King of Heaven, God Father Almighty, Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son and Holy Spirit. Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us, you take away the sins of the world, accept our supplications. You sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For You alone are Holy, You alone are Lord Jesus Christ in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Every day I bless you and praise your name for ever, yes, for ever and ever. In grace let us, O Lord, keep this day without guilt. Blessed are You, Lord God of our fathers, and praiseworthy and glorious is Your name forever. [Amen.]

Grant us Your mercy, Lord, for we have hoped in You. Be praised, O Lord, teach me Your commandments (3 times). Lord, you have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me, heal my soul, for I have sinned before you. Lord, I seek refuge in you, teach me to do your will, for you are my God. With you is the source of life, in your light we see the light. Show Your grace to those who know You, O Lord.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green meadows and leads me to a resting place by the water. He brings my vitality back. He leads me in paths of righteousness, true to his name. Even when I walk in the dark valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me, your stick and your staff, they comfort me. You set the table for me in front of my enemies. You have anointed my head with oil, my cup is overflowing. Yes, kindness and grace will follow me all my life, and I will return to the house of the Lord for long periods of time.

God, have mercy on me according to your bounty, blot out my crimes according to your rich mercy! Wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin! Because I recognize my evil deeds, my sin is always before my eyes. I have sinned against you alone, I have done what is evil in your eyes. So you are right with your verdict, you stand there as a judge.

Behold, I was born in guilt, and my mother conceived me in sin. Behold, you delight in innermost faithfulness, in secret you teach me wisdom. Cleanse me with hyssop, then I will be clean; wash me and I shall become whiter than snow! let me hear delight and joy! The limbs that you have broken shall rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, blot out all the guilt I'm burdened with!

Create for me, O God, a pure heart and a firm spirit renew within me! Do not reject me before your face, do not take your holy spirit from me! Give me back the joy of your salvation, arm me with the spirit of generosity! I will teach the wicked your ways, and the sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguilt, God, you God of my salvation, and my tongue will rejoice in your righteousness!

Lord, open my lips so that my mouth may proclaim your praise! You don't want sacrifices, I would give them, you don't like burnt offerings. Sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and bruised heart you, O God, will not despise. Do good in Zion according to your good pleasure, rebuild the walls of Jerusalem! You delight in sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and in whole offerings, and bulls will be sacrificed on your altar.

FROM THE DEPTH OF THE HEART...

SHARE YOUR PRAYER REQUESTS WITH US

The church is a community of believers. We are bound together by faith, baptism, and participation in the body and blood of Jesus Christ. We also stand before God in prayer for one another and pray for one another. The Scriptures say, “When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; when one member is honored, all members rejoice with it" (1 Cor 12:26). This community of prayer exists for all times and in all places, even after death. This communion is particularly visible during the Surb Patarag, when we pray for both the living and the departed.

Would you like the pastor to pray for a special cause or concern? You are welcome to tell your parish priest or us here. We will pray for you. You can write your personal prayer request right here and send it to us. Write to us if you would like feedback.

Error: Contact form not found.

Become a member!

Support the Armenian Apostolic Church and its congregation with your membership fee. Get active now!