Every Christian knows that prayer before leaving the house is the most important rite that can save a person from various kinds of troubles. That is why Orthodox priests call on all people to observe this ancient ritual of the sacrament. After all, saying a prayer takes only a few minutes, and its protection then lasts a whole day.
The role of prayer in the life of Christians
In the past, our ancestors taught children from an early age that any important event begins with an appeal to God. After all, only he knew the fate of a person and could help him in a difficult moment. And here it should be understood that any journey is also a significant event, because you never know how it will end and what you may meet on the way.
That's why it's so important to say a prayer before leaving the house. After reading it, a person gains protection from evil spirits, which now and then strive to annoy him. Besidessacred texts bestow God's grace on Christians. Being under her cover, people increase their luck, which contributes to the implementation of their plans.
Who should we pray to?
There are many saints who protect travelers on the road. However, among them, the Mother of God and St. John Chrysostom. This is due to the fact that they have the power of heavenly patrons, which can protect from all misfortunes. In addition, priests recommend seeking help from a guardian angel. No matter where we go, he always accompanies us. Therefore, he is able to show his strength at our first call.
Required prayer before leaving home (St. John Chrysostom)
St. John Chrysostom patronizes travelers from ancient times. In the past, not a single self-respecting merchant dared to leave the threshold of the house without asking for help from this blessed one. After all, then people were well aware that the road is an extremely dangerous place, which, without a twinge of conscience, punishes those who dared to neglect their safety.
According to ancient Christian teaching, John Chrysostom said these words every time he left his room. However, it is not necessary to go to such extremes. It will be quite sufficient if a prayer is read before leaving the house: “I deny you, Satan, serving you and your pride. And I believe in You, Christ, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Most Orthodox priests advise using thisappeal to God. After all, firstly, one of his most devoted servants prayed this way, and secondly, the text is so short that every person will easily remember it.
Prayer to the Mother of God
Among all the saints, the Most Holy Theotokos has the greatest protective power. If you believe the old legends, then her grace helped entire cities and peoples to survive in a dangerous time for them. Therefore, it is not surprising that the best protective prayer is the one that is directed to the face of the Mother of God.
There are many sacred texts that can save a person during his wanderings. But this one is considered the strongest: “Our Lady, my Lady, I pray you, drive away from me, a humble servant, oblivion, negligence, despondency and foolishness. Protect Your cursed servant from filth, hooliganism and the evil one. Cleanse my thoughts, my heart and my mind from unworthy thoughts that discredit Your name. Deliver me from bad beginnings and evil deeds that blame Your glory. For blessed are You, and Your family, and Your name is glorified forever and ever. Amen.”
Prayer to the guardian angel
Guardian angel always protects us from trouble and evil spirits. However, his power is not unlimited, and therefore he needs our support. Orthodox monks are confident that prayer can strengthen his power, because it is a direct proof of a person’s faith. Therefore, the more often a Christian calls out to his guardian angel, the stronger he becomes.
Best of all, when a prayer is read before leaving the house: “Protect me a sinner, Holy Angel, frommy passionate life. Do not leave me at home and on a long journey. Do not let the evil demon possess me, neither my body nor my soul. Give me strength to complete all my deeds, strengthening my thin and distressed hand. Holy Angel of the Lord, guardian of my body and soul, forgive all my sins, as if I committed them in my stupidity. Cover me with grace on this present day, so that I can resist all temptations and evil thoughts. For You are always with me until the Great Judgment is done. Amen.”
Said a prayer before leaving the house for good luck
Quite often we leave the house for a reason, but for some specific purpose. For example, we go to school, work, an interview or a hospital. Naturally, at such moments we really want luck to accompany us, since the whole future day depends on it.
In such cases, it is best to directly ask the Lord for his favor. For example, after reading the following prayer: “Lord, Jesus Christ, our Savior, accept my sincere prayer and bless the intentions of Your servant (Name). Instruct that it is possible to safely start business, without third-party obstacles, so that they glorify Your name. For You are merciful, our God, and abide with Your Father and Your life-giving good Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.”
The duty of every Christian
Prayer, read before leaving the house, can save from many troubles and disappointments. But it should be remembered that without faith, evensacred texts lose their power. Without it, they are just a set of words that are in no way capable of affecting the fate of a person.
Therefore, any Christian, first of all, must rely on his own sense of faith. That is, to speak with the Lord not only when His help or instructions are needed, but just like that. After all, he is our Heavenly Father. And like any parent, He loves when His children treat Him with reverence and respect. And prayer, read when leaving the house, is just one of the ways to show your devotion to Him.
