When we feel bad, we begin to remember God. We ask for His help and support. When you receive it, thank you. And sometimes we forget about gratitude.
It's different when our loved ones suffer. It's scary: to watch a person suffer, but you can't help. Or is it possible? You can pray for your relative. Just don't say that prayer doesn't help. It helps and how. It’s just that we don’t know how to pray, we don’t want to, and, in general, we don’t believe in its action.
How to pray for a suffering loved one? How to help a relative, a good friend or just an acquaintance who is already driven to despair? Look for answers to these questions further in the article.
Why pray?
Some "unbelieving Thomases" believe that prayer for relatives and neighbors is an empty exercise. Say, it's better to help with advice or financially, if possible.
This is a very big mistake. Prayer, sincere and heartfelt, can work wonders. How often one has to face: a person is sick, and his wife, children or mother are tearfully praying for him. And the sick man gets to his feet. And doctors only shrug their hands: according toall parameters - a dead man, but go ahead.
Prayer provides tremendous spiritual support. With its help, as the Holy Fathers say, it is possible to save a soul from hell. If you want to help your distressed relative who doesn't know who God is, pray for him.
How to pray correctly?
Prayer for neighbors is a serious support for them. Of course, the ideal option is to pray in the temple. Why? Because the priest is praying. This is first. And his prayer is much stronger than ours. The priest has a special grace, which is given to him at ordination. And even the worst priest prays better than the most devout layman.
And secondly, let's remember the words of God: where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them.
This does not mean that God does not hear prayer at home. Not at all. But at home, we cannot remove the particles from the prosphora, as the priest does at the altar.
What kind of Orthodox prayer for near and dear ones can help the dearest people? First of all, by filing orders for them. Precisely custom-made, which read in the altar. For only in this case the particles are taken out.
Secondly, prayers for the he alth of relatives will be useful. And magpie is a great option. Sorokoust can also be ordered for repose.
Third, buy the simplest candle. And put it in front of the icon of the Savior or the Mother of God. And when you bet, list the names of all living relatives. Candles are also placed on the canon. With the difference that the dead are commemorated there.
Mother's Prayer
Shefrom the bottom of the sea will get it and take it away from trouble. There is an interesting story about this. One woman had four children gone to war. And she kept a strict fast throughout the war, praying for her children. Her children returned alive. The neighbors have nothing but funerals, but this woman's house is full of joy.
No one but mother would pray for us with such force. Only a mother's heart is capable of such a prayer. Sacrificing yourself for the sake of a child? It's easy. While our mothers are alive and praying for us, they give us great spiritual support.
The following are motherly prayers for neighbors to the Lord Jesus Christ. Neighbors here refers to children.
God! To the Creator of all creatures, applying mercy to mercy, You have made me worthy to be the mother of a family; Your goodness has given me children, and I dare to say: they are Your children! Because You gave them life, revived them with an immortal soul, revived them by baptism for life in accordance with Your will, adopted them and accepted them into the bosom of Your Church, Lord! Keep them in a blessed state until the end of life; make them worthy to be partakers of the mysteries of your covenant; sanctify with your truth; may your holy name be sanctified in them and through them! Send me your grace-filled help in their upbringing for the glory of your name and the good of your neighbor! Grant me methods, patience and strength for this purpose! Teach me to plant in their hearts the root of true wisdom - your fear! Illuminate them with the light of Your Wisdom that governs the universe! May they love you with all their soul and mind; May they cling to Thee with all their hearts and all their lives, may they tremble at the wordsYours! Give me reason to convince them that true life consists in keeping your commandments; that labor, strengthened by piety, delivers serene contentment in this life and inexpressible bliss in eternity. Reveal to them the understanding of Your Law! Yes, until the end of their days they act in the feeling of Your omnipresence! Instill in their hearts horror and disgust from all iniquity; let them be blameless in your ways; May they always remember that You, Omnipotent God, are a zealot for the law and Your righteousness! Keep them in chastity and reverence for Your name! Let them not discredit Your Church with their behavior, but let them live according to its precepts! Inspire them with a desire for useful teaching and make them capable of every good deed! May they acquire a true understanding of those subjects whose information is necessary in their state; let them be enlightened with knowledge that is beneficial for humanity. God! Wise me to imprint with indelible features in the mind and heart of my children the fear of fellowship with those who do not know Your fear, inspire them with every possible distance from any union with the lawless. Let them not heed rotten conversations; Let them not listen to frivolous people; let them not be led astray from thy way by bad examples; let them not be offended by the fact that sometimes the path of the wicked is prosperous in this world!
Heavenly Father! Grant me grace in every way to beware of giving my children a temptation by my actions, but, constantly keeping in mind their behavior, distract them from delusions, correct their errors, curb their stubbornness and obstinacy, refrain from striving for vanity and frivolity; let them not be carried away by insane thoughts, let them not followtheir hearts, lest they become proud in their thoughts, lest they forget You and Your law. May the iniquity of their mind and he alth not destroy them, may the sins of their spiritual and bodily forces not relax. Righteous Judge, who punishes children for the sins of their parents up to the third and fourth kind, turn away such punishment from my children, do not punish them for my sins; but sprinkle them with the dew of Thy grace, may they prosper in virtue and holiness, may they grow in Thy favor and in the love of pious people.
Father of bounty and all mercy! As a parent, I would wish my children every abundance of earthly blessings, I would wish them blessings from the dew of heaven and from the fat of the earth, but may Thy holy will be with them! Arrange their fate according to Your good pleasure, do not deprive them of their daily bread in life, send down to them everything necessary in time to gain blessed eternity, be merciful to them when they sin before You, do not impute to them the sins of youth and ignorance of them, bring their hearts to contrition when they resist the guidance of thy goodness; punish them and have mercy, directing them to the path pleasing to You, but do not reject them from Your face! Accept with favor their prayers, grant them success in every good deed; turn not thy face away from them in the days of their affliction, lest their temptations be overtaken above their strength. Overshadow them with Your mercy, may Your Angel walk with them and save them from every misfortune and evil path, All-good God! Make me a mother rejoicing over her children, may they be my joy in the days of my life and my support in my old age. Deign me, with hope in Your mercy, to stand with them on TerribleTo Your judgment and with unworthy boldness to say: Here I am and my children whom You have given me, Lord! Yes, together with them glorifying Thy inexpressible goodness and eternal love, I ex alt Thy Most Holy Name, Father, Son and Holy Soul, forever and ever. Amen!
And this prayer is called mother's blessing:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother, hear me, a sinful and unworthy servant of Yours. Lord, in the mercy of Your power, my child, have mercy and save him for Your name's sake. voluntary and involuntary, committed by him before You. Lord, guide him on the true path of Your commandments and enlighten him and enlighten him with Your light of Christ, for the salvation of the soul and the healing of the body. Lord, bless him in the house, near the house, at school, in the field, at work and on the road, and in every place of Your possession. Lord, save him under the roof of Your Holy from a flying bullet, arrow, knife, sword, poison, fire, flood, from a deadly ulcer (rays of the atom) and from vain death. Lord, protect him from visible and invisible enemies, from all troubles, evils and misfortunes. Lord, heal him from all diseases, cleanse him from all filth (wine, tobacco, drugs) and ease his mental suffering and sorrow. Lord, grant him the grace of the Spirit Your Holy One for many years of life, he alth and chastity Lord, increase and strengthen his mental abilities and bodily strength. Lord, give him Your blessing on a pious family life and pious childbearing. Lord, grant me, Your unworthy and sinful servant, a parental blessing on my child at presenttime of morning, day, evening and night for Your name's sake, for Your Kingdom is eternal, all-powerful and all-powerful. Amen!
Maternal prayer to the Mother of God:
O Most Holy Lady Virgin Mother of God, save and save under Your shelter my children (names), all youths, maidens and babies, baptized and nameless and carried in the womb. Cover them with the robe of Your motherhood, keep them in the fear of God and in obedience to your parents, implore my Lord and Your Son, may He grant them useful things for their salvation. I entrust them to Your Motherly care, as You are the Divine Protection of Your servants. Mother of God, introduce me into the image of Your heavenly motherhood. Heal the spiritual and bodily wounds of my children (names), inflicted by my sins. I entrust my child entirely to my Lord Jesus Christ and Yours, Most Pure, heavenly patronage. Amen!
Prayer to the guardian angel for their children:
Angel of God, my holy guardian, to keep me from God from heaven given! I diligently pray to you: enlighten me today, and save me from all evil, guide me to a good deed, and direct me on the path of salvation. Amen!
Prayer for godchildren
Do you know that godparents have a much greater responsibility before God than blood parents? The task of blood is to give birth and educate, as it should. And the godparents must educate their godchildren in the Orthodox faith. Give them faith. Accustom to the temple and the acceptance of the holy sacraments.
Alas, but at the present time at the baptism of an infant one can observe the following situation: the godparents cannot read the "Creed of Faith". Andit turns out that godparents are baptized people, only they don’t know anything about God. Which ones are mentors?
We digress. Let's talk about what kind of prayer for neighbors (godchildren) should be read to godparents. Since you could not bring up properly and instill love for God, then at least pray, do not shirk your duties.
Prayer to the Lord:
Lord Jesus Christ, be Thy mercy on my godchildren (names), keep them under Thy shelter, cover from all evil lust, cast away from them every enemy and adversary, open their ears and eyes of the heart, grant tenderness and humility their hearts. Lord, we are all Your creation, have pity on my godchildren (names) and turn them to repentance. Save, Lord, and have mercy on my godchildren (names), and enlighten their minds with the light of the mind of Your Holy Gospel, and guide them on the path of Your commandments and teach them, Savior, to do Your will, as You are our God.
How to pray for loved ones?
Prayer for relatives and neighbors is the direct duty of every Orthodox Christian. Another thing is that when we come to God, we do not know how to do it.
To begin with, there is a morning rule. And at the end of it there are prayers for the he alth and repose of our relatives. They are very short.
Here is the text of the morning prayer for your neighbor (for he alth):
Save, Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father (name), my parents (names), relatives, bosses, mentors (names) and all Orthodox Christians.
To read it, along withlisting the names, it will take about 10 minutes at most. And the same amount - for a prayer for the repose of deceased loved ones:
God rest, Lord, the souls of your departed servants: my parents (names), relatives, mentors (names) and all Orthodox Christians.
And do not forget about the "classic" prayers that help in every need. This is "Our Father" and "Our Lady of the Virgin, rejoice." In general, it is necessary to resort to the Mother of God constantly. In every need, in every business. Who but Her will protect us and help us?
So, a prayer to the Mother of God for neighbors from troubles, a request for help to them:
Virgin Mary, rejoice! Blessed Mary, the Lord is with you. Blessed are You in women, and blessed is the Fruit of Your womb. Yako gave birth to the Savior, Thou art our souls.
Prayer to God:
Our Father, who art in Heaven. Hallowed be thy name, may thy kingdom come. May Thy will be done, as in Heaven and on earth. Give us our daily bread today. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from the evil one. Amen!
Prayer for the sick
Sometimes our loved ones especially need prayer help. When they are sick physically and spiritually. And what prayer for the he alth of your neighbor to read? Who to ask for help? Especially in the most difficult, crisis moments?
Read the ps alter. This is the strongest thing, and it helps a lot. When you start reading, you don't understand anything. Understanding begins to come with time.
How is the ps alter read? One kathisma each. Kathisma is divided into threeglory: for living relatives, for the deceased and for living neighbors (friends, colleagues and other people who are not related by blood). Take the trouble to read one kathisma only for the sick person.
Seek help from the holy saints of God. This may be the saint whose name the patient bears. Or the saint you revere. Most often, they turn to the Matrona of Moscow, Xenia of Petersburg, Sergius of Radonezh, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Seraphim of Sarov for help. Prayers for some of these saints are given in the article.
Prayer to Seraphim of Sarov:
O wonderful Father Seraphim, the great miracle worker of Sarov, quick-obedient helper to all who resort to you! In the days of your earthly life, no one is thin and inconsolable from you when you leave, but for everyone in the sweetness there was a vision of your face and a benevolent voice of your words. To this, the gift of healing, the gift of insight, the gift of weak souls of healing is abundant in you. When God has called you from earthly labors to heavenly rest, your love has never ceased from us, and it is impossible to count your miracles multiplied, like the stars of heaven: behold, at all ends of our earth, you are the people of God and grant them healing. The same and we cry out to you: O quiet and meek servant of God, daring to pray to Him, never refrain from calling you, lift up your pious prayer for us to the Lord of forces, may He strengthen our power, may He grant us all that is useful in this life and all for the spiritual useful for salvation, may it protect us from the falls of sin and teach us true repentance, in a hedgehogunstumblingly enter us into the eternal Kingdom of Heaven, even though you are now in the impenetrable glory, and there sing the Life-Giving Trinity with all the saints until the end of time. Amen!
Prayer to Nicholas the Pleasant:
O all-good Father Nicholas, shepherd and teacher of all who by faith flow to your intercession and call you with warm prayer, soon rush and deliver Christ's flock from the wolves that destroy it, and protect every Christian country and save with your holy prayers from the worldly rebellion, cowardice, invasion of foreigners and internecine strife, from famine, flood, fire, sword and vain death. And as if you had mercy on three men sitting in prison, and delivered them the king’s wrath and the cutting of the sword, so have mercy on me, mind, word and deed in the darkness of sins, and deliver me the wrath of God and eternal punishment, as if by your intercession and With help, by His own mercy and grace, Christ God will give us a quiet and sinless life to live in this world and save me from standing, and vouchsafe the right hand with all the saints. Amen!
Can I pray for the unbaptized?
Is there a prayer for neighbors who are not baptized? And how to pray for such people?
Let's warn you right away: only in home prayer. In no case should you submit notes for them and order prayers. Even putting candles is forbidden.
You can remember such neighbors in your morning prayers. They are given above. Or you can read a prayer to the holy martyr Uaru:
Oh, holy martyr Uare! We inflame the zeal for the Lord Christ, you confessed the Heavenly King before the tormentor, and diligently about HimYou suffered, and now the Church honors you, as if glorified by the Lord Christ with the glory of Heaven. Accept our petition and with your prayers free us from eternal torment. Amen.
This is actually a very sad moment. When a dear person denies God and does not want to be baptized at all. Okay - a baby: he still does not decide anything. But an adult, intelligent comrade who does not accept the Lord is deplorable. Although he makes this choice himself. And we, no matter how insulting it would be, have to come to terms with this. But praying for such a stubborn neighbor can and should be done only at home.
If the neighbor is lost
Once upon a time there was a man. He went to the temple, proceeded to the sacraments of confession and communion. He did good deeds. And then, at some point, I lost faith. Priests do business in the church, there is no God, all these are fairy tales. And in general, He does not hear us. In general, the comrade went somewhere to the side.
And half the trouble, if only he stopped going to the temple. And what if he was also carried away by some Western movement, such as the occult? Here at least stand, at least fall. And is it possible to pray for a neighbor who has gone downhill?
Such people in the church are called astray. And you need to pray for them. Submit more notes. Read the akathist to the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Searching for the Lost" at home. Put fans for such a comrade.
Just don't try to convince him. It's useless. A relative (or friend) will become even more embittered and will not hear you. Better pray silently, without putting pressure on such a person.
Where to getakathist? Buy from the church shop. This is a small, thin book. It costs 30-50 rubles. You can also purchase the icon "Recovery of the dead" there.
Conjugal prayers
Young people got married. Everything was fine: they lived in perfect harmony, and relatives could not get enough of the doves. Yes, quarrels in the family have just begun. Constant scandals, screams and reproaches led to a divorce.
Sound familiar? Now there are a lot of divorces. Because people for the most part, as they say, believe in the soul. They are baptized, but they do not go to church and do not pray at home.
Meanwhile, prayer for neighbors, including spouses, is very necessary. This is the strongest helper. And before thinking about divorce, "turn on" prayer.
"Where to get it…", - Someone will think. Rewrite or print. And we will provide the text.
Prayer to Prince Daniel of Moscow:
To the Church of Christ, praise is high, the city of Moscow is invincible, the powers of the Russian Divine affirmation, Reverend Prince Daniel, flowing to the race of your relics, we earnestly pray to you: look upon us, who sing your memory, shed your warm intercession to the Savior of all, as if he would establish peace with our country, its cities and villages and preserve this monastery for good, planting piety and love in your people, eradicating malice, civil strife and morals; to all of us, all that is good to a temporary life and eternal salvation, grant with your prayers, as if we glorify Christ our God, marvelous in His saints, forever and ever. Amen!
It is read froma request for love and advice between spouses.
And if you need help in a family need, contact Blessed Xenyushka of Petersburg:
Oh, holy all-blessed mother Xenia! Under the shelter of the Almighty, who lived, guided and strengthened by the Mother of God, suffered hunger and thirst, cold and heat, reproach and persecution, received the gift of clairvoyance and miracles from God and rest under the shadow of the Almighty. Now the Holy Church, like a fragrant flower, glorifies you: coming at the place of your burial, in front of your saints, as if you live with us, we pray to you: accept our petitions and bring them to the Throne of the Merciful Heavenly Father, as if you have boldness for Him, ask those who flow to you eternal salvation, and for good deeds and undertakings, our generous blessing, deliverance from all troubles and sorrows, appear with your holy prayers before our All-Merciful Savior for us, unworthy and sinners, help, holy blessed mother Xenia, babies with the light of the Holy Illuminate baptisms and seal the gift of the Holy Spirit, bring up the youths and maidens in faith, honesty, God-fearing and chastity and grant them success in teaching; Heal those who are sick and ill, send down family love and consent, worthy of a monastic feat to strive for good and protect from reproach, affirm the shepherds in the fortress of the spirit, preserve our people and country in peace and serenity, beg for those deprived of communion of the Holy Mysteries of Christ in the dying hour: you are ours hope and hope, speedy hearing and deliverance, we send thanks to you and with you we glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forevercenturies. Amen.
And of course, do not forget about the prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. That's what it's called - about family:
Blessed Lady, take my family under Your protection. Instill in the hearts of my spouse and our children peace, love and non-controversy to all that is good; do not allow anyone from my family to separation and a difficult parting, to premature and sudden death without repentance. And save our house and all of us living in it from fiery ignition, thieves' attacks, every evil situation, various insurance and devilish obsession. Yes and together and separately, openly and secretly, we will glorify Your Holy Name always, now and forever, and forever and ever. Amen! Holy Mother of God, save us!
Advice to neophytes
I would like to give some advice to those who have just begun to come to God.
Prayers to the Lord for neighbors must be offered. Just don't overdo it. We foresee indignation, they say, how can you overdo it with this case ?! More as possible.
Others, starting to become churched, are eager to fight. And, without being blessed by the priest, they begin to perform "feats of prayer": most of the night they pray, trying to atone for other people's sins. And then they start to hurt. Why is this happening?
Because we ourselves are still weak, but we are already undertaking to save our neighbors. This is where the evil spirits attack us. They don't sleep. They are not at all interested in souls becoming God's. On the contrary, demons are eager to profit from human souls. And then one soul flew away, and even decided to take the rest with her? So the lukashki with okayashki are angry. So don't tearveins. And you yourself will perish, and you will not save your neighbors.
And another question: is it possible to read the Jesus Prayer for a neighbor? Usually this prayer is read by everyone for himself. It sounds like this:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner/sinner.
But if necessary, the end of the prayer changes:
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us sinners.
Again: do not undertake to do the Jesus Prayer without the blessing of the priest. Only that father. to whom you regularly confess, can tell you how many prayers per day you need to read. And is it possible to read it for relatives and neighbors.
Prayers for the departed
Another serious moment. How to pray for those who have gone to Eternal Life?
Firstly, be sure to submit registered notes. Secondly, at least once a month, order a memorial service. This is done in the temple. And it is desirable to be present on this day at the service, praying with the priest for the repose of souls.
The third moment is a commemoration on the birthday, the day of mortal remembrance and on the day of the angel. These days it is highly desirable to order memorial services and submit notes.
The fourth moment is candles. They are put on the canon and mentally commemorate the deceased relatives.
Fifth - magpies about the repose.
Sixth - eternal remembrance. It is quite expensive, and trebu can be ordered only in monasteries.
And how to pray at home for your dear dead? We have published the morning prayer above. Read the Ps alter, one Glory is just"given away" to deceased relatives. Only the baptized can be commemorated by it.
It's harder with the unbaptized. They give alms for them and read the canon to the martyr Uaru.
In general, giving alms for a deceased person is useful. For both of you. Ask those you give to remember your deceased loved one.
Within forty days after a person has passed away, it is advisable to give for him magpies to churches and monasteries. The bigger, the better. And be sure to read the ps alter, at least one kathisma. There is a possibility - read more. For the first three days, the entire hymnal is read daily.
How to pray at home and in church?
If everything is clear with the temple: you came, submitted notes and left, then how can you pray for your neighbor at home?
Let's start with the fact that not everything is so simple in the temple. If you are submitting notes for the liturgy, please, stay late. And pray with everyone. Do not rely only on the prayer of the priest - he will pray. But the loved one is yours, and it is your duty to pray for him, and not to shift this matter to the priest and the parishioners of the church.
As for home prayer, it's easier here. We stood at the iconostasis, lit a lamp or a candle and pray to yourself. If you want - read the akathist, if you want - prayers, but if you want - in your own words, commemorate the relatives of the living and the dead.
Conclusion
Praying for someone is hard work. One must be prepared for the fact that when reading a prayer for helping one's neighbor, it will not do without temptations. You can get sick, everything will start to fall out of your hands, all sorts of troubleschase. And even the neighbors who are begging go wild before our eyes.
If this happens, don't beg. There is a serious struggle for the human soul. The enemy attacks you to throw you off balance so that the prayer is lost. And this is unacceptable: we are in a spiritual war, and we are fighting enemies with a prayerful sword and shield.
