Hear Me: A Prayerbook for Orthodox Youth by Ancient Faith Publishing

HEAR ME A prayer book for Orthodox young adults

Annalisa Boyd

Chesterton, Indiana

Hear Me: A Prayer Book for Orthodox Young Adults 2nd edition Original material copyright ©2016 by Annalisa Boyd All rights reserved Prayers are adapted from original ancient sources by the author. Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible, ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc., Nashville, TN, and are used by permission. Published by Ancient Faith Publishing A division of Ancient Faith Ministries P.O. Box 748 Chesterton, IN 46304 Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 978-1-936270-57-6

Contents HEAR ME: an introduction 9 On the Front Lines: daily prayers 11 Morning Prayers 12 Midday Prayers 18 Evening Prayers 20

On Watch: prayers for any time 27

Lord, Have Mercy 27 The Jesus Prayer 27 Prayer to Your Guardian Angel 28 Prayer to Your Patron Saint 28 Prayer to the All-Holy Trinity 28 Hymn to the Theotokos 28 Prayer of Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow 29 Psalm 141:2 29

The Good, the Bad, and the Family: prayers for relationships 31

Prayer for a Sick Friend 32 Prayer of a Child or Youth 32 Prayer of a Foster or Adopted Child 33 Prayer of a Single Person 33 Prayer for Friendships 34 Sample pages only. Purchase the full book at —3— store.ancientfaith.com/hear-me-a-prayerbook-for-orthodox-youth/

Prayer for Enemies 34 Prayer for Family Relationships 35 Prayer for Parents 35 Prayer for Godparents 36 Prayer for One Who Is Dying 36 Prayer for the Dead 37 Psalm 23—A Psalm of David 37 Prayer for the Departed 38 In the Hope of Resurrection 38

Life Under Pressure:

prayers for circumstances 41 Prayer before Beginning Any Task 41 Prayer before Going to School 42 Prayer before a Journey 42 Prayer in Times of Need 43 Prayer when Facing the Unknown 43 Prayer in Times of Trouble 43 Thanksgiving after Deliverance from Trouble 44

Declaration of Dependence:

the sacrament of confession 45 The First Commandment 46 The Second Commandment 47 The Third Commandment 48 The Fourth Commandment 49 The Fifth Commandment 50 Copyright © 2016 by Annalisa Boyd.All Rights Reserved. —4— Published by Ancient Faith Publishing

The Sixth Commandment 51 The Seventh Commandment 52 Mine Field! 53 The Eighth Commandment 54 The Ninth Commandment 55 The Tenth Commandment 56 Demolition 57 After Confession 61 Armed and Ready 62 The Beatitudes 66

The Witness Stand:

prayers with the bible & the saints 69 Addiction 70 Anger 72 Anxiety/Depression 74 Backsliding 77 Bitterness 78 Carnality 80 Chastity/Purity/Modesty 81 Confusion/Doubt 84 Failure/Insecurity 87 Gossip/Taming the Tongue 90 Loneliness 92 Lust/Pride/Temptations 94 Persecution—The Persecuted Church 97 Sexual Sin 99 Sample pages only. Purchase the full book at —5— store.ancientfaith.com/hear-me-a-prayerbook-for-orthodox-youth/

Suffering/Trials 102 Troubled Sleep 105 Worldliness 106

When the Saints Go Marching In: some saints who pray for you 109

Standing in the Gap:

intercessory prayer 113

Basic Training: the christian walk 117 Contending for the Orthodox Faith: The Map and the Compass 117

What is Eastern Orthodox Christianity? 117 How is an Orthodox Christian “saved”? 118 Do Orthodox Christians believe they are “saved by works”? 119 Don’t we just need the Bible and nothing else to understand and follow God? 119 What’s the big deal about Mary? 120 Do you pray to the saints? Why? 121 Why can’t just any Christian take Communion (the Eucharist) in an Orthodox church? 122 Why do you fast all the time? 123 Why do you have icons? What about “no graven images”? 123 Copyright © 2016 by Annalisa Boyd.All Rights Reserved. —6— Published by Ancient Faith Publishing

Why do you light candles? 125 Why do you burn incense? 125 Why do you baptize babies? 126

Getting Through the Obstacle Course 127 I feel betrayed by a friend. 127 I don’t think I can trust my priest. 128 My parents aren’t Christians. Do I have to obey them? 128 I’ve committed a big sin and am afraid to tell anyone. 129 I keep committing the same sin over and over again. 130 I think I’m in love. 130 I really want to be in an intimate relationship. 131 I’m making myself throw up or starving myself to lose weight. 132 My friend is depressed. 133 I’m so depressed I’m hurting myself or don’t want to live. 133 I’m being pressured to drink or do drugs. 134 I can’t control my anger. 135 I’m anxious all the time. 136 I’m having a hard time believing in God. 137 I can’t forgive. 138 Someone is hurting me. 138

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I don’t think my parents’ rules are fair. 139 I saw someone do something dangerous or illegal. What is my responsibility? 140

In Closing: at ease 141

HEAR ME

an introduction I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears.

—Psalm 34:4

welcome to your personal prayer book. May you find joy and peace within its pages. As youth, you have entered an exciting time of life. You are able to exercise more freedom in your daily activities and in your faith. You may not be aware of it, but right at this moment you are developing patterns for living that will follow you through the teen years and into adulthood. Patterns for developing friendships. Work and study patterns. Even patterns for your spiritual life. Prayer is a valuable pattern to establish, and you will be challenged as you pursue your personal prayers and quiet times with Christ and His saints. The world offers so many distractions, but a well-established prayer time is like a tree Sample pages only. Purchase the full book at —9— store.ancientfaith.com/hear-me-a-prayerbook-for-orthodox-youth/

with strong roots. When the winds, or trials and temptations of life, come, you will stand firm. In this book you will find prayers and encouragement for many areas of your life. Written prayers are valuable tools which, in time, become prayers of the heart, not just the mouth. Adding your own personal thoughts, praise, and confession makes praying even more meaningful. May these prayers open your heart to your Savior and bless you as you grow in the love and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. May you know that you have a God who hears you!

LI NE S

N I KA

E P R A Y

FRONT

P R A Y E R

I E

I L Y

D A I L Y

I C

X C

N I K A

I L Y

E P R A Y

Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. —Psalm 24:8

when preparing for a battle, it is important to go to your commander, seeking his direction and listening to his plan of attack. It is no different in our Christian walk. Trials and temptations assail us daily, and if we are not armed and prepared through close communication with our Commander, we will fall in battle. We arm ourselves through extensive training in prayer and union with the Lord through the sacraments. Through prayer we are able to recognize the enemy and false teachings, which can be deadly landmines resulting in unnecessary casualties. God doesn’t wait for you to fall, either; He is right there with you in the heat of battle.

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Do not rush one prayer after another, but say them with orderly deliberation, as one addressing a great person for a favor. Do not just pay attention to the words, but rather let the mind be in the heart, standing before the Lord in full awareness of His presence, in full consciousness of His greatness and grace and justice.

—Saint Theophan the Recluse

Morning Prayers The Trisagion Prayers In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. amen. Glory to You, our God, glory to You. O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life, come and abide in us, cleanse us from every stain, and save our souls, O Good One. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Copyright © 2016 by Annalisa Boyd.All Rights Reserved. — 12 — Published by Ancient Faith Publishing

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and unto ages of ages. amen. O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, cleanse us from our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your nameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sake. Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy, Lord, have mercy. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both 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. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. amen. Sample pages only. Purchase the full book at â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 13 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; store.ancientfaith.com/hear-me-a-prayerbook-for-orthodox-youth/

D , O O

T H E

P R AY E R S F O R

REL ATIONSHIPS D

T H E

M F A

Whoever sheds a fervent tear for the hardships of his fellow man heals his own wounds.

—Saint Basil the Great

in the bible there is a story of a man who was paralyzed but wanted desperately to see Jesus. Since he was unable to move himself, friends carried him to Jesus and lowered him through the rooftop so he could receive healing. When we pray for friends and family we are, in a way, carrying them to Jesus so they can receive healing, and, just like the friends of the paralytic, we receive a blessing because we participated in blessing them. God wants us to bring not only our friends to Him, but our enemies as well. Matthew 5:44 tells us, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Sample pages only. Purchase the full book at — 31 — store.ancientfaith.com/hear-me-a-prayerbook-for-orthodox-youth/

Our enemies are truly paralyzed and need to be carried by those who are strong, or they may never make it to Jesus for healing. • The story of the paralytic can be found in Mark 2:1–12.

Prayer for a Sick Friend

(You may pray this for yourself too when you

are sick.) O Holy Father, heavenly Physician of our souls and bodies, who have sent Your Only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to heal all our sicknesses and deliver us from death: Visit and heal Your servant _________________, granting release from pain and restoration to health and energy, that he/she may give thanks to You and bless Your holy Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. amen.

Prayer of a Child or Youth Our Father who are in heaven, bless my father and mother, my guardians, and those who are in authority over me, for their love and tender care for me, and the blessings I receive at their hands. Help me, I pray, to be respectful and obedient to them in all things according to Your will; and give me Your grace to perform all my duties carefully and faithfully, to stay away from undesirable company and influences, and Copyright © 2016 by Annalisa Boyd.All Rights Reserved. — 32 — Published by Ancient Faith Publishing

resist all temptation that may come my way; that I may live a well-governed, righteous, and godly life, ever praising You and glorifying Your Holy Name. amen.

Prayer of a Foster or Adopted Child O Lord Jesus Christ, You who call us to be sons and daughters in Your Kingdom, bless and protect my heart as I live as a foster/adopted child. Help me to follow You in all things and live in peace and love with my foster/adoptive family. Although things have not turned out the way I planned, I trust You to carry the challenges of my past, my present, and my future, because I can put all my trust in You. Thank You for making me Your own child, allowing me to inherit Your kingdom as a true son/daughter. For You are holy, now and ever and unto ages of ages. amen.

Prayer of a Single Person O Blessed Lord, who have set up for us an example of ideal purity, strengthen me, I pray, when temptation attacks me, and when strong passions seek to overwhelm me, that I may remain constant in virtue and innocent in thought, word, and deed, doing such things as are well pleasing to You; grant me growth in wisdom and understanding, that I may serve You in holiness all the days of my life: through the intercessions of Your all-immaculate Mother and of all Your saints, especially my patron Saint _________. amen. Sample pages only. Purchase the full book at — 33 — store.ancientfaith.com/hear-me-a-prayerbook-for-orthodox-youth/

Prayer for Friendships Lord Jesus Christ, Savior and friend, I ask you to guide and guard my relationships with others. Allow Your hand to direct me in compassion, loyalty, and courtesy toward my friends. Guard my mouth and help me to be a good listener and offer words that encourage. Give me the strength of character to avoid participating in cruel or crude joking and hurtful attitudes. Keep me also from falling into sin by contributing to the sins of others by way of counsel, command, consent, challenge, or dare, praising their sin, hiding their sin, participating with them, silence, or defending their sin. Remind me to seek godly counsel when faced with difficult circumstances. Help me to be open when offering my friendship to others. Grant me Your mercy so that I can deal mercifully and wisely in all the situations that come my way. amen.

Prayer for Enemies Lord Jesus Christ, You who are just and offer freely Your forgiveness when I sin against You, help me now to offer that same forgiveness, even kindness, to those who do wrong to me. May my eager forgiveness to my enemies be a light to them so they too may come to know You. Let my actions speak of Your mercy and grace. May my words build up and not tear down. Guard my heart and mind against the temptation to seek revenge for wrongdoing. Remind me that each opportunity to practice the fruits of the Spirit builds my faith Copyright © 2016 by Annalisa Boyd.All Rights Reserved. — 34 — Published by Ancient Faith Publishing

and keeps my attention focused on You. Help me to love and show compassion toward my enemies, and let me see them as You see them. In the Name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. amen.

Prayer for Family Relationships (and for those who are home-schooled) Almighty and merciful God, who formed me with Your loving hands, who knew before the foundation of the earth the family and situation in which I would live, I praise You and ask Your blessing on my interactions within my family. Give me patience when relating to my parents and siblings. Teach me to be a blessing through faithful, gracious service to each of them. Keep my mouth from criticism and complaining. Lead me away from selfish ambitions, but grant me close relationships built on trust and mutual honor. Help me in difficult times to avoid harboring bitterness or resentment, trusting that Your will and Your purpose will be accomplished. May I live sacrificially in my home as a testimony of Your goodness. May they know by my actions that I am Your disciple. Grant me, O Lord, an attitude of gratitude, a mind that keeps no record of wrongs, a heart ready to forgive, and a heart that is not easily wounded. May it be for Your glory. amen.

Prayer for Parents Lord and Savior, You have taught us to honor our fathers and mothers, and to show love and obedience toward them. From Sample pages only. Purchase the full book at â&#x20AC;&#x201D; 35 â&#x20AC;&#x201D; store.ancientfaith.com/hear-me-a-prayerbook-for-orthodox-youth/