Hear Me: A Prayer Book for Orthodox Young Adults (3rd edition)

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 a 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 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!

ON THE FRONT LINESDaily Prayers

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.

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.

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.