Is it moral to ask the Almighty to release a person from prison? Will the Lord hear the prayer for the prisoner? Is there a special request for the release of prisoners, or is it not? These and many other questions are sure to arise for those whose relatives and friends are serving prison sentences.
There is nothing shameful or reprehensible in praying for the speedy release of a prisoner, regardless of what exactly this person has done. The Church in no way restricts such prayers and does not distinguish them from others.
How to pray for a prisoner?
Of course, the prayer for a prisoner, for the release of a person and the preservation of his he alth in prison, has its own characteristics. What should be avoided by one who seeks mercy from the Almighty? Own judgment. You should not blame in your thoughts or, conversely, justify the one for whom you are praying. Only the Lord can condemn a person, and He is able to freehis soul from sins.
It is not for nothing that people say that one should not renounce prison. The ways of the Almighty, his providence, cannot be understood and comprehended by people. Therefore, one cannot make one's own judgments. When praying, you just need to humbly ask for mercy.
Where are such prayers read?
Prayer for a prisoner, for his release or for pardon, can be read both in the temple and at home. The church does not impose any restrictions on how one should turn to the saints and the Almighty for help.
However, it is better to pray for the release of a person in the temple. Turning to the Almighty and the saints requires pure thoughts, hope and sincerity. You should free your mind from all daytime worries and vain thoughts, fully concentrate on prayer. It is very difficult. In the church halls there is a special, as the people say, “prayerful” atmosphere. The atmosphere of the temple is conducive to the fact that a person turns to the Lord with all his soul, forgetting about worries and sorrows.
And, of course, while in church, you need to put a candle in front of the image and put the name of a person dear to your heart on the list "for he alth".
Who should I turn to in prayer?
Of course, a prayer is addressed to the Lord for prisoners, for release. An Orthodox person also asks for mercy for the prisoners:
- Our Lady.
- St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
- Anastasia the Pattern Maker.
- Matrona of Moscow.
The prisoner himself may wellturn to the Guardian Angel for comfort and help.
How to pray to Jesus and the Mother of God?
Probably everyone knows the story that the Lord took a repentant criminal with him to heaven, forgiving his sins. Of course, no one living today has the right to say whether this actually happened or not. However, this story is very instructive. It tells that every person can be forgiven and accepted by God in the presence of sincere repentance, humility and deep faith.
A prayer for the release of a prisoner from prison, addressed to the Lord, can be like this:
“Lord Jesus, our Savior, comforting the mourners and giving food to the hungry, and shelter to the needy! I beg you with humility in my heart and without malicious intent, for a slave (the name of the prisoner). Have mercy, Lord! Send him consolation, ease his torment, put on his body with he alth! Forgive and have mercy, Lord, slave (name of the prisoner)! Allow him to step into his native house, deliver him from his ordeals, Lord! Forgive him his sins, enlighten and cleanse the soul of the slave (the name of the prisoner). Let the deadline come out not according to people's rumors, but according to your will, Lord. Save, save and have mercy on the slave (the name of the prisoner)! Amen"
Since ancient times, it is considered very strong to read a prayer for a prisoner, for liberation, the Pochaev Icon of the Mother of God. The original miraculous image is kept in the lands of Western Ukraine, in the Ternopil region, in the Pochaev Lavra. However, in many Russian churches there is a list from this icon, in front of which you can pray.
Exampletext:
"Most Holy Virgin, Lady of Heaven! There is no person who would not resort to you, the Comforter, in sorrow and sorrow. There is no person whose need you would not regard, Blessed Mother of God. There is no one under heaven who would not find help and protection from you in his troubles. I beg you, Lady of Heaven, for mercy to the slave (the name of the prisoner). Look after his needs, do not leave him without help. I beg you, Mother of God, intercede for him before the Lord, procure forgiveness and great mercy. Help, Holy Mother of God, return to your native house from the dungeon a government slave (the name of the prisoner). Have mercy, Holy Virgin, over him, a sinner, save and bless his soul! Amen"
How to pray to Nicholas the Wonderworker?
To this saint from time immemorial people have been reaching out with all their sorrows, needs and troubles. People go to his image for healing from illnesses, getting rid of the evil eye, with requests to improve material and living conditions, and with many other problems. Of course, they also ask him to return people to their homes from prison.
Prayer to Nicholas the Wonderworker for the release of a prisoner can be like this:
"Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Pleasant of God! Our protector and great helper! I beg you for mercy and a miracle for the servant of God (the name of the prisoner). Contribute, Nicholas the Wonderworker, to his release from the damp dungeon, return the light to the father's house under the sun! I fall to you with hope, without malicious intent, without resentment in my heart. Amen"
How to pray to Matrona of Moscow and Anastasia the Patterner?
Saint Anastasiapatronizes people who are forced to serve a prison sentence, and those who are under such a threat.
Prayer for a prisoner, for his release from captivity and return home, may be:
“The sufferer of the earth, the comforter of heaven, the helper and intercessor of all prisoners, the Most Holy Anastasia! I beg you with humility and without malice in your heart, without grumbling and resentment, intercede for the slave (the name of the prisoner) before the Lord! Beg him for great mercy, get freedom and return the father's slave (the name of the prisoner) under the roof. Help him in hardships, give warmth and food, do not let his soul become hardened, endow him with strong faith and hope, humility and patience. Amen"
Matrona of Moscow helps people in all their hardships. They also pray to her for the release of those languishing in prison. You can turn to the saint like this:
"Matronushka-mother! How in heaven you know everything about human affairs, as if you are walking on earth amidst sorrows! Help, mother, in a dashing hour, send your blessing to your slave (the name of the prisoner), who is languishing in prison without the light of God, without food and water as needed. Beg, holy mother, the Lord for mercy for him, beg for release. Reason the slave (the name of the prisoner), save him from sin, guide him on the path of righteousness. Amen"
