Prayer of the Optina Elders

Grant unto me, O Lord, that with peace of mind I may face all that this new day is to bring.

Grant unto me to dedicate myself completely to Thy Holy Will.

For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in all things.

Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, do Thou teach me to accept tranquilly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Thy Holy Will.

Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say.

When things unforeseen occur , let me not forget that all cometh down from Thee.

Teach me to behave sincerely and rationally toward every member of my family, that I may bring confusion and sorrow to none.

Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day, and to bear my part in all its passing events.

Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love.

Amen

Prayer Service for Blessing of Prison Cells

Prepare and quiet yourself in customary manner before
prayer.

Set up your icons, place the blessed icon card of The Baptism
of Christ in a prominent position. The icon card of The
Baptism of Christ you received with these prayers was
blessed with Holy Water from our Service of The Blessing of
Waters on the celebration of The Holy Theophany of our
Lord, January 6, 2008 at Saint George Church in West St
Paul, Minnesota.

Mark the Scriptures in your Bible for ease in locating them
for reading at the proper time in the Service of Blessing --
Psalm 77; Isaiah 35:1-10; Isaiah 55:1-13; Isaiah 12:3-6;
Titus 2:11-14, 3:3-8 and St. Matthew 3:13-17.
Prepare the water for sprinkling by pouring a small amount
of clean water into a clean cup or utensil.
Place the cup with water near the blessed icon card of The
Baptism of Christ.

You are now ready to begin. Stand silent for a few moments
before beginning your prayers.

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord
Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth,
Who are in all places and fill all things,
Treasure of good things and Giver of Life.
Savior, come and live in us. Wash away all our sin,
and save our souls, O Gracious Lord.

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy
on us. (3X - Repeat three times)

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us.

Lord, wash away our sins.
Savior, forgive all our evil thoughts and actions.
Most Holy Spirit, visit and heal us for Your Name's
sake.

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have
mercy.

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

Our Father Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy
Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on
earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive
those who trespass against us. And lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord
Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Hymn -- sung in tone one:

When You, O Lord, were baptized in the Jordan,
the worship of the Trinity was made manifest.
For the voice of the Father bore witness unto You,
calling You the beloved Son,
and the Spirit in the form of a dove
confirmed His word as sure and steadfast.
O Christ our God, Who has appeared and
enlightened the world, glory to You.

Scripture Readings:

Psalm 77
Isaiah 35:1-10
Isaiah 55:1-13
Isaiah 12:3-6

Sung in tone three:

The Lord is my light and my salvation: whom shall
I fear? (Psalm 26:1)
The Lord is the defender of my life: of whom shall
I be afraid?

The reading from the Epistle of Paul to Titus:
Titus 2:11-14, 3:3-8

Sung in tone four:

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters. (Psalm
28:3)
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The God of glory thundered, the Lord is upon the
many waters.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

The reading from the Holy Gospel according to
Saint Matthew:

Matthew 3:13-17

Prayer of Blessing of your dwelling
Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
O Creator and Author of the human race; Giver of
all spiritual Graces, Bestower of eternal Salvation:
do You, the same Lord, send down Your Holy Spirit
with a blessing from on high upon this dwelling,
that, strengthened by the power of Your heavenly
protection, this dwelling may be blessed, bringing
salvation and help and aid to all who shall enter in
under its roof; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who
together with You, the Eternal Father, and Your All
Holy, Good and Life-creating Spirit, we send up
glory, both now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Amen.

At this time, with reverent attitude and serious intent, take
the icon card of The Baptism of Christ, hold it in your right
hand and hold the cup of water in your other hand.
Dip a corner of the blessed icon card into the water.
Sprinkle drops of the water around and on your living and
sleeping area, and on all of your belongings, saying, "May
this dwelling be blessed in the Name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

If you are in a single person cell, make the sign of the Cross
on each wall, saying, "May this dwelling be blessed in the
Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen."

When completed, sprinkle yourself, saying, "Bless, Lord, in
the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen."

Then drink all of the remaining water in three sips, saying,
"In the Name of the Father - and of the Son - and of the Holy
Spirit. Amen."

Continue praying the service.

Hymn -- sung in tone one:
Today Christ has come to be baptized in Jordan;
Today John touches the head of the Master.
The powers of heaven are amazed as they behold
the marvelous mystery.
The sea saw it and fled:
Jordan at the sight was driven back.
And we who have been enlightened cry aloud:
Glory to God made manifest,
Who has appeared upon earth and brought light to
the world.

Dismissal

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord
Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

With respect and great care, cleanse the cup or utensil used
to hold the water. If the cup is disposable, you may either
save the cup as a memorial of the blessing service or dispose
of it in a proper manner.

Carefully place the blessed icon card in a safe location to
dry. When dry, place the blessed icon card along with your
other icons in your place for prayer. (Using the same blessed
icon card, you may repeat this service of blessing at any
time, as may be needed, throughout the year and especially
upon being transferred or moving into any new living
quarters.)

This Prayer Service for Blessing Prison Cells has been prepared
under the direction of Bishop BASIL, Overseer of Prison Ministry
in North America, on behalf of the Standing Conference of
Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA)

Hierarchs of SCOBA
Archbishop DEMETRIOS
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Metropolitan PHILIP
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER
Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada
Metropolitan NICHOLAS of Amissos
Carpatho Russian Orthodox Diocese in the USA
Metropolitan HERMAN
Orthodox Church in America
Metropolitan JOSEPH
Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church
Archbishop NICOLAE
Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America & Canada
Metropolitan CONSTANTINE of Irinoupolis
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
Bishop ILIA of Philomelion
Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America

Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry
Is chartered by SCOBA as its official Prison Ministry

Father Duane, PO Box 277, Rosemount MN 55068

Prayer for one condemned to death

Prayer for One Condemned to Death

O Most-merciful, All-gracious and Compassionate Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior, Son of God: Out of Your love for sinful men, You graciously condescended to accept condemnation, even unto death, to be crucified for the sake of our salvation, and on the Cross, to give up Your righteous Spirit into the hands of God the Father. We entreat You, Most-gracious Master: With Your compassion, look also on (Name), who has been condemned to death by the judgment of men.

Forgive his mortal transgressions; inspire in his heart true repentance, that he may, if even in this hour before death, also confess You, his God and Savior, as once did the wise Thief, and be granted mercy from You.

Yea, O Longsuffering Lord of many mercies, condemn not by Your just judgment this condemned sinner, (Name); pardon him his transgressions; deliver him, by this penalty of death, from the eternal death prepared for unrepentant sinners, that he may glorify You with all the sinners who have repented and been justified through You, for You alone are sinless and to You are due all glory, honor and worship, together with Your Most-holy and Life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.

Amen.


(From an old Orthodox prayerbook)