Private Devotions for the Great Fast

During the next forty days, it is hoped that this webpage will be an aid in helping you make the journey through the Great Lent in the proper spirit of prayer.

During the five Sundays which preceded the beginning of the Great Lent, the Sacred Scriptures set down for us the guidelines which are necessary to enter this Sacred Season with a sincere and humble attitude.

The Sunday of Zacchaeus reflects our desire for God. The Sunday of the Publican and the Pharisee reflects our need for true repentance and contrition. The Sunday of Meat-Fare reflects on the final judgement based on the love of neighbor. And, the Sunday of Cheese-Fare gives us the necessary ingredients for observing the Great Lent; namely, prayer, fasting, and good works.

In the Byzantine Tradition, the Sacred Lenten Season begins on the Monday following the Sunday of Cheese-Fare. The Roman Rite begins its Lenten Season on Ash Wednesday of that same week. According to the Byzantine Rite, Holy Week is not included in the forty-day period as in the Roman Rite. In the Byzantine Tradition Holy Week has its own liturgical observance.

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The Lenten Regulations as observed in the Byzantine-Ruthenian Province of Pittsburgh are as follows:

*STRICT ABSTINENCE (Strict Fast) is to be observed on the FIRST DAY OF LENT and on GOOD FRIDAY.

The law of STRICT ABSTINENCE forbids the use of meat, eggs, and dairy products. Those who have completed their 21st year through their 59th year are bound to observe STRICT ABSTINENCE.

*Abstinence (Simple Fast) is to be observed on every Friday during Lent.

The law of ABSTINENCE forbids the use of meat.

It is highly recommended and encouraged that the tradition aspects of Abstinence be also observed on each Wednesday during the Great Lent and on Holy Saturday.

In observing the forty days of prayer, fasting, and good works, we imitate our Divine Master’s period of fasting and prayer in the desert.

As we enter this Sacred Season of Great Lent, we, as children of God, once again renew our efforts to become more Christ-like. We wish to live in Him; enter Jerusalem with Him; die with Him; be buried with Him; and rise with Him.

By our sincere efforts of prayer, fasting, and good works we shed ourselves of our sinful past, and "put on the new man."

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PRAYER FOR THE BEGINNING OF LENT

O Lord Jesus Christ, my God, hope of all bounds of the earth and of those far away at sea, You have established these holy days of fasting by Your law and the prophets, as a way of my mortification and repentance.

In the fullness of time, You manifested Yourself in the flesh on this earth, and by Your fast of forty days and nights, You sanctified the practice of fasting and commanded me to follow Your example.

As a merciful and gracious God, enable me to begin these holy days of Great Fast with perfect repentance, with humility rather than hypocrisy, with diligent prayer, with hunger and thirst, with frequent prostrations, and with contrite heart. Enable me also to complete this time of the Great Fast, without fault and with a pure conscience, keeping my faith intact and achieving victory over sin.

Send me an angel of peace to watch over my life to protect me from all snares of my enemies, and to assist me in the performance of good deeds. Strengthen me by Your power so that I may accomplish the ascetic works of the Great Fast. Then, with my passion bridled and my soul and body cleansed, I will be worthy to partake, without condemnation, of Your Most Pure Body and Your Most Precious and Life-giving Blood.

For you are the merciful and gracious lover of mankind Who has come to save all, and to You I render glory, together with Your Eternal Father, and Your All Holy, Good, and Life-Giving Spirit, now and ever, and forever. . . Amen.

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PRAYER OF ST. EPHREM

(It is suggested that this prayer be recited several times throughout the day.)

O Lord and Master of my life, keep from me the spirit of indifference and discouragement, lust of power and idle chatter.

Instead, grant to me, Your servant, the spirit of wholeness of being, humble-mindedness, patience, and love.

O Lord and King, grant me the grace to be aware of my sins and not to judge my brother; for You are blessed now and ever and forever. Amen.

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INTRODUCTORY PRAYERS

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, 0 Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on me. Amen.

Glory be to You, our God, glory be to You!

Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, You are everywhere present and fill all things. Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell with us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, 0 Gracious Lord.

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; 0 Lord, cleanse us of our sins; 0 Master, forgive us our transgressions; 0 Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for Your Name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (3)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. 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, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Lord, have mercy. (12)

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Come, let us adore the King, our God.

Come, let us adore Christ, the King and our God.

Come, let us adore and bow down to the only Lord Jesus Christ, the King and our God.

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PRAYERS FROM THE FIRST HOUR

TROPARION:

Listen to my voice at dawn, O my King and my God.

Verse: Listen to my word, O Lord, be aware of my call

Listen to my voice at dawn, O my King and my God.

Verse: Because it is to You, O Lord, that I pray.

Listen to my voice at dawn, 0 my King and my God.

THEOTOKION:

What shall I call you, O full of Grace? A Heaven; for you have borne the Sun of Justice? A Paradise; for you have brought forth the flower of Immortality? A Virgin; for you have remained undefiled? A Mother, holding in her holy arms the Son Who is the God of All? Intercede with Him for the salvation of my soul.

Let my way be straight according to Your word; let no sin overcome me. Save me from the wickedness of men, and I will keep Your commandments. Let Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your laws. Let my mouth be filled with Your praise, 0 Lord, and let me sing Your glory and magnificence all the day long.

O Christ our God, in all times and places You are worshipped and glorified both in heaven and on earth. You are long-suffering and generous in Your mercy and compassion. You love the Just and show mercy to the sinner, calling all men to repentance through the promise of blessings to come. Deem, 0 Lord, at this very hour, to receive my supplications and to direct my life in the path of Your commandments. Sanctify my soul; purify my body; set right my mind; cleanse my thoughts; deliver me from all affliction, trouble, and distress; surround me with Your holy Angels so that, guided and guarded in their camp, I may attain oneness of faith and the knowledge of Your unspeakable glory. For You are blessed forever and ever. Amen.

O Christ, the True Light, Who enlightens and sanctities every man in the world, mark me with the light of Your countenance so that I may see the unapproachable radiance. Let my life be straight along the path of Your Commandments, through the prayers of Your most pure Mother and of all Your Saints.

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PRAYERS FROM THE THIRD HOUR TROPAR ION:

O Lord, Who at the third hour, sent Your All-holy Spirit upon the Disciples, take Him not away from me, 0 Gracious Lord, but renew Him in me, I pray.

Verse: A pure heart create in me, 0 God! A steadfast spirit renew in me.

O Lord, Who at the third hour, sent Your All-holy Spirit upon the Disciples, take Him not away from me, 0 Gracious Lord, but renew Him in me, I pray.

Verse: Cast me not away from Your presence, nor deprive me of Your Holy Spirit.

O Lord, Who at the third hour, sent Your All-holy Spirit upon the Disciples, take Him not away from me, 0 Gracious Lord, but renew Him in me, I pray.

THEOTOKION:

O Mother of God, you are the true vine laden with the fruit of life. Therefore, I implore you, O Lady, to intercede together with the Apostles and Saints so that I may obtain mercy for my soul.

O God my Master, Almighty Father; Only-begotten Son, Lord Jesus Christ; and You, 0 Holy Spirit, One God and One Might, have mercy on me a sinner, and save me, Your unworthy servant, according to the ways of Your wisdom, For You are blessed forever and ever. Amen.

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PRAYERS FROM THE SIXTH HOUR

TROPARION:

O Lord, on the sixth day and at the sixth hour You nailed to the cross the sin which Adam presumed to commit in Paradise. Now also tear up the list of my iniquities, and save me, 0 Christ our God.

Verse: 0 Lord, listen to my prayer, be not aloof to my appeal.

O Lord, on the sixth day and at the sixth hour You nailed to the cross the sin which Adam presumed to commit in Paradise. Now also tear up the list of my iniquities, and save me, 0 Christ our God.

Verse: As for me, I have appealed to God, and the Lord has heard me.

O Lord, on the sixth day and at the sixth hour You nailed to the cross the sin which Adam presumed to commit in Paradise. Now also tear up the list of my iniquities, and save me, 0 Christ our God.

THEOTOKION:

Since I have no one else in whom I may confide because of my many sins, 0 virgin Mother of God, intercede for me with the One Who was born of you; for a mother’s prayer is a powerful means to obtain favor from the Master. O you, who are most worthy of veneration, turn not away from the pleading of sinners, for the One Who willed to suffer in the flesh for us is full of mercy, and by His power He is able to save me.

Let Your bounties, 0 Lord, come down upon me in haste, for my need has become great indeed. Help me, O God our Savior, for the glory of Your Name. Save, O Master, and forgive my sins for the sake of Your name.

TROPARION:

You have wrought the salvation in the midst of the earth, 0 Christ our God, You have stretched out Your pure hands on the cross; You have gathered all nations to exclaim to You; "Glory be to You, O Lord."

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.

O Gracious Lord, I adore Your most pure image, begging forgiveness for my sins, 0 Christ our God. You have chosen to ascend the cross of Your own free will to save Your creatures from bondage to the enemy. Therefore, I cry out to You in gratitude: "0 my Savior, by coming down to save the world, You have filled all things with joy."

(take on Monday—Tuesday—Thursday)

Now and ever and forever. Amen.

Source of Mercy, and the Mother of our God, make me worthy to be pitied, look down upon a sinful people, and show your power as always. Since I hope in you, I now greet you, as did Gabriel, the leader of the heavenly hosts.

(take on Wednesday—Friday)

 Now and ever and forever. Amen.

O most glorious Virgin and the Mother of our God, I praise you, for through the cross of your Son, the Abyss was destroyed and Death was slain and we who were dead have risen and are deemed worthy of life, and have regained Paradise, the first Garden of Eden. Therefore, I glorify you in thanksgiving to Christ our God, for He is Almighty, and He alone is full of mercy.

Lord, have mercy. (40 times)

O God, Lord of Powers and Maker of the whole creation, through Your compassion beyond our understanding, You sent down Your Onlybegotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, for the salvation of our race. Through His cross He cancelled the debt of my sins and triumphed over the powers and masters of darkness. Now accept from me these prayers of thanksgiving and petition, and preserve me from any deadly fall in the darkness and against every visible and invisible enemy who may seek my harm. Pierce my body with fear of You, and let not my soul fall into evil words or thoughts, but, instead, wound it with longing for You so that, looking upon You at all times and guided by the light that emanates from You, I may contemplate the unapproachable eternal light. May I ever address my thanksgiving and worship to You, 0 Eternal Father, and to Your Only-begotten Son, and to Your All-Holy gracious, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

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TROPARION:

O Lord Who for my sake, endured bodily death at the ninth hour, subdue the passions of my flesh, 0 Christ our God, and save me.

Verse: Let my prayer come before You, 0 Lord; give me understanding according to Your word.

O Lord Who for my sake, endured bodily death at the ninth hour, subdue the passions of my flesh, 0 Christ our God, and save me

Verse: Let my supplication come before You, 0 Lord; deliver me according to Your word.

O Lord Who for my sake, endured bodily death at the ninth hour, subdue the passions of my flesh, 0 Christ our God, and save me.

THEOTOKION:

O Lord, Who for my sake was born of the Virgin and suffered crucifixion, O Gracious One, Who destroyed Death by death, and, as God, revealed resurrection, despise not those whom You have created with Your own hands; but show forth Your love for mankind, O Merciful One. Accept as our intercessor the Mother of God who gave You birth, and save the despairing people, O our Savior.

For the sake of Your holy Name, do not abandon me forever; do not forget Your covenant. For the sake of Abraham the trustful one, do not take Your mercies away from me.

TROPARION:

When the thief beheld the Author of Life hanging upon the cross, he cried out: "If this One crucified with us were not an incarnate God, the sun would not have dimmed its light, nor would the earth have shaken with trembling. But You, 0 Lord, Who suffers for all men, remember me, when You come into Your kingdom."

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: Your cross, in the midst of the thieves, became a balance of justice; for one of them fell down into hell through the weight of blasphemy, while the other was lifted out of his sins unto knowledge of things divine. 0 Christ our God, glory be to You!

Now and ever and forever. Amen. When she who bore You beheld You upon the cross 0 Lamb and Shepherd and Savior of the World, she tearfully cried out: "The world rejoices at the sight of its redemption but my heart is on fire as I see Your pain on this cross which You endure for the sake of all, O my Son and my God?’

O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, You patiently endured my sins and led me to this hour at which You were hung upon the life-giving wood. You opened a way to paradise for the penitent thief and crushed Death by Your death. Now forgive the trespasses that I Your servant have committed, unworthy sinner that I am. I have sinned indeed and transgressed Your law. I am unworthy even to lift up my eyes to heaven, for I have abandoned the path of Your holiness and pursued the desires of my heart. But now I implore Your immense goodness: Spare me, 0 Lord, in the multitude of Your mercies; save me for the sake of Your most Holy Name. My days were spent in vanity; wrest me from the hands of my enemy, and forgive my sins. Subdue in me the cravings of my flesh, so that, after putting off the old man, I may put on the new and live for You, our Lord and Benefactor; and that, obeying Your commandments, I may reach eternal repose in the place where all the blessed abide; for You are truly Joy and Delight of those who love You, 0 Christ our God. I send up glory to You, and to Your eternal Father, and Your all-holy, gracious, and life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and forever. Amen.

Grant me reverence, estrangement from evil, and perfect discipline, who am now drowned in the passions of the flesh, estranged from you, and entirely without hope, 0 my God, King of all. Save me, your prodigal son, by the bounty of your goodness, 0 Jesus the Almighty, the Savior of my soul.

When Moses the wonderful was purified by fasting, he beheld the beloved One. Wherefore, emulate him, my humble soul, and hasten to be purified of evils on the day of abstinence, that the Lord may bestow forgiveness on you and that you may behold Him; for He is the Almighty, the good Lord, and the Lover of mankind.

Let me fulfill my fast day by day with rejoicing, making for myself, like Elijah the Tishbite, a fiery chariot of the great cardinal virtues, elevating my mind by subduing my passions, arming myself with purity, to chase away and vanquish the enemy.

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PRAYERS OF ST. BASIL

(Adapted Version)

O Master and Lover of Mankind, I a sinner cry out and say: Holy are You; truly, most holy! Immeasurable is the majesty of Your holiness. You are revered in all Your deeds; for with truth and just judgment You have brought all things to pass for me. Taking dust from the earth, O God, You formed man and honored him with Your own image. You placed him in a garden of delight and promised him the never-ending enjoyment of blessings and also immortality if he would observe Your commandments. But man disobeyed You, the true God Who created him; he was led astray by the cunning of the Serpent, and by his own transgression was subjected to death.

By Your just judgment, O God, You expelled him from paradise into this world and returned him to the earth from which he had been taken, and devised for him the salvation of regeneration which is in Your Christ. And yet, 0 gracious Lord, You did not turn away from Your creation, nor did You forget the work of Your hands, but You visited man in various ways because of Your merciful loving-kindness: You sent Prophets and wrought mighty works through the Saints, who in every generation have been pleasing to You. You spoke to us through Your servants, the Prophets, who foretold the salvation which was to come.

You gave the Law as an aid, and appointed Angels as our guardians; and when the fullness of time had come, You spoke to us through Your Son Himself, through Whom You created the temporal world.

He, being the reflection of Your glory and the express image of Your person, and sustaining all things by His powerful word, did not deem equality with You, God and Father, something to be tenaciously held; and though remaining everlasting God, He appeared on earth and lived among men.

He became incarnate from the holy Virgin and emptied Himself, taking the form of a slave and becoming conformed to the state of our lowliness so that He might raise us to the image of His glory. For since, by a man, sin entered the world, and death through sin, so Your only-begotten Son, though being in Your bosom, God and Father, graciously willed to be born of a woman, the holy Mother of God, and ever-virgin Mary. He was subject to the law in order to condemn sin in His flesh so that those who died in Adam might in Him, Your Christ, be made to live again.

Living in this world, He gave us precepts for salvation, and turning us away from the deceit of idolatry, He brought us to the knowledge of You, true God and Father.

He took us to Himself as a chosen people, a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. Having cleansed us with water and having sanctified us with the Holy Spirit, He surrendered Himself as a ransom to Death by which we were held captive, having been sold into bondage under sin. Descending by the cross into the realm of Death that He might fulfill all things through Himself, He loosed the bonds of Death. Because it was impossible that the Author of Life should be the victim of corruption, He rose on the third day, preparing the way for the resurrection of all flesh from the dead. He thus became the first fruits of the harvest of the departed, the first-born of the dead, that in all things He might have preeminence over all.

He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of Your Majesty on High and shall come to reward each man according to his deeds.

Remember also those who have departed in the hope of rising to eternal life. We pray for the forgiveness and repose of Your servant(s) Name in a place of light from which grief and mourning have been driven away. Grant them rest, O God, and let them repose where the light of your countenance shines forth.

We also pray to You: remember, O Lord, Your holy, catholic, and apostolic Church which extends from one end of the earth to the other; give peace to her whom You have redeemed with the precious Blood of Your Christ; make firm this holy Church until the end of time. Remember, O Lord, the donors and benefactors of Your holy Churches and those who remember the poor. Reward them with Your rich and heavenly blessings; bestow upon them Your heavenly gifts instead of earthly gifts, eternal instead of temporal gifts, incorruptible instead of perishable gifts.

Remember, O Lord, those who are in deserts and mountains, and in the dens and caves of the earth. Remember, O Lord, those who live in virginity and piety, and those who practice asceticism and live saintly lives.

Remember, O Lord, our civil authorities, and give them profound and enduring peace; instill into their hearts good things for Your Church and for all Your people, that, in their tranquility, we may lead a calm and quiet life in all piety and integrity. Remember, O Lord, every principality and authority, and all our brethren in the service of our country. Preserve the virtuous in goodness, and, by Your kindness, make those who are evil, good.

Fill our houses with every good thing; preserve marriages in peace and harmony; instruct the children, guide the young, support the aged, encourage the faint-hearted, collect the scattered, lead back those who have strayed and unite them to Your holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. Free those who are bothered by unclean spirits, sail with those at sea, journey with travelers, defend widows, protect orphans, free those in captivity, and heal the sick.

Remember, O God, those who are on trial, in prisons, and at hard labor, as well as those in any affliction, need, or distress. Remember, O Lord, those who are in need of Your great tenderness of heart, and those who love us, and those who hate us, and those who have asked us, unworthy though we be, to pray for them.

Remember, O Lord our God, all Your people, and upon all of them pour forth Your rich mercy, granting those petitions which are for their salvation. For You, 0 Lord, are a Help to the helpless, a Hope to the hopeless, a Savior of those in peril from storms at sea, a Harbor for voyagers, a Physician for the sick. Be all things to all men; for You know each one and their requests, each home and its needs. Deliver, O Lord, this city and countryside from plague, flood, fire, sword, foreign invasion, and from civil war and riot.

Remember, O Lord, the servant(s) of God, Name, and grant salvation, visitation, and the forgiveness of his (her-their) sins.

Remember, O Lord, all right-believing Bishops who faithfully dispense the word of Your truth. Remember also my unworthiness, O Lord, according to the multitude of Your mercies; forgive my every transgression committed deliberately or through human frailty.

Remember, O Lord, the priesthood, the diaconate in Christ, and every clerical order, and let none of us who surround Your holy altar be put to shame. Visit us with Your grace, 0 Lord. Reveal Yourself to us through Your rich compassion. Grant us a healthful and agreeable climate and gentle showers upon the earth, that it may be fruitful; and in Your goodness, bless the due cycle of the seasons.

By the power of Your Holy Spirit, prevent schism in the Church, restrain the raging of nations, and quickly destroy the upsurges of heresy. Receive me into Your kingdom, making me a child of light and a child of the day. Grant me Your peace and love, 0 Lord our God, for You have given all things to me. Amen

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PRAYER OF A PENITENT SINNER

O Lord, in your anger rebuke me not, chasten me not in your wrath: Have pity on me, 0 Lord, for I am weak; heal me, 0 Lord, for my bones are troubled, And my soul is troubled exceedingly— but You, 0 Lord, how long?

Return, 0 Lord, and free my soul, deliver me for the sake of your love. For in death no one remembers You, and in the Abyss who will sing your praise?

I am exhausted with my moaning: shall I weep every night upon my bed and drench my couch with tears? My eyes are troubled with weeping, I am worn out because of all my enemies.

Begone from me, all you evil-doers, for the Lord has heard the voice of my lament; The Lord has heard my appeal, the Lord has acceded to my prayer.

Let all my enemies be greatly shamed and vexed, let them at once be routed and mightily brought down.

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THE REMISSION OF SINS

Happy is he whose fault is taken away, whose sin is covered. Happy the man to whom the Lord imputes not guilt, in whose spirit there is no guile.

As long as I would not speak, my bones wasted away with my groaning all the day, For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; My strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to You, my guilt I covered not. I said, "I confess my faults to the Lord," and You took away the guilt of my sin.

For this shall every faithful man pray to You in time of stress. Though deep waters overflow, they shall not reach him.

"You are my shelter; from distress You will preserve me; With glad cries of freedom you will ring me round."

"I will instruct you and show you the way you should walk. I will counsel you, keeping my eye on you."

Be not senseless like horses or mules; with bit and bridle their temper must be curbed. Else they will not come near you.

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but kindness surrounds him who trusts in the Lord.

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PRAYER OF AN AFFLICTED SINNER

O Lord, in your anger rebuke me not; chastise me not in your wrath! Your arrows have bored into me and upon me You have firmly laid your hand.

There is no soundness in my flesh because of your wrath, there is no peace in my bones because of my sins. Because my iniquities have overwhelmed me, they have weighed upon me like a weighty load.

My sores have become stench and festering because of my folly; A stooping and exhausted wreck, I stumbled mourning all the day.

My loins were burning with fever and there was no soundness in my flesh. I was crushed and deeply afflicted. I roared with the groaning of my heart.

O Lord, all my longing stood before You, and my groaning was not hushed away from You. My heart came to grief, my strength deserted me, and even the light of my eyes failed me.

My friends and companions came and fought me, while my closest kinsmen stood afar from my presence; And those who sought my life used violence while those who wished my loss spoke lies, plotting deception all the day.

But I remained as a deaf man and heard them not, as a dumb man and opened not my mouth. As a man who has not heard a thing and thus has no retort upon his lips.

In You, O Lord, I have placed my trust: You will give heed, O Lord my God! I said: "Oh, that my foes cease to gloat over me! They boasted mightily when my feet stumble?’

As for me, I am ready for scourging and my pain is before me always. Indeed, I myself confess my guilt and I will live in anguish because of my sin.

But my enemies survive and overpower me, and those unduly hating me are multiplied: Those who, rendering evil for good, opposed me when I sought but righteousness.

O Lord my God, forsake me not! Stay not afar from me! Come close to help me, o Lord of my salvation!

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PRAYER OF REPENTANCE

O God, have mercy on me in the greatness of your love; in the abundance of your tender mercies wipe out my offense.

Wash me thoroughly from malice and cleanse me from sin, For I am well aware of my malice and my sins are before me always.

It is You alone I have offended, I have done what is evil in your sight; Wherefore You are just in your deeds and triumphant in your judgment.

Behold, I was born in iniquities and in sins my mother conceived me. But You are the Lover of Truth: You have shown me the depths and secrets of your wisdom.

Sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be pure, cleanse me and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear sounds of joy and feasting: the bones that were afflicted shall rejoice.

Turn your face away from my offenses and wipe off all my sins. A spotless heart create in me, O God; renew a steadfast spirit in my breast.

Cast me not afar from your face, take not your blessed Spirit out of me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and let your guiding Spirit dwell in me.

I will teach your ways to the sinners and the wicked shall return to You. Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God, my saving God, and my tongue will joyfully sing your justice.

O Lord, You shall open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise. Had you desired sacrifice, I would have offered it, but You will not be satisfied with whole-burnt offerings.

Sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit: a crushed and humbled heart God will not spurn. In your kindness, O Lord, be bountiful to Sion; may the walls of Jerusalem be restored.

Then will You delight in just oblation, in sacrifice and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer calves upon your altar.

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PRAYER IN TIME OF DISTRESS

O Lord, hear my prayer and let my cry come to You. Do not turn your face away from me; on the day of my affliction, lend me your ear, On the day I will call on You, hear me without delay.

For my days have vanished like smoke, and my bones have been parched like dry wood. I am cut down like grass and my heart is withered because I have forgotten to eat my bread.

So much have I cried and groaned that my bones have cleaved to my flesh. I resemble the pelican of the wilderness, I have become like the owl in the ruins.

Unable to sleep, I keep watch like a lonely sparrow on the roof. All day long, my enemies have chided me; even my admirers have sworn against me.

For I have eaten ashes as if they were bread and mingled my drink with tears, because of the presence of your anger and wrath, for after lifting me up, You dashed me down.

My days have declined like a shadow and I am dried up like grass. But You, O Lord, endure forever and your memory is from generation to generation.

You shall arise and have mercy upon Sion, for the time to pity her, the right time is come; For your servants have taken pleasure in her stones, and they shall pity her dust.

And the nations shall fear your Name, O Lord, and all the kings your glory. For the Lord shall build up Sion, and He shall be seen in his glory.

He has regarded the prayer of the lowly and He has not despised their appeal. Let it be written down for a future generation and a people yet to come shall praise the Lord.

For He has looked from the height of his holy place, The Lord out of heaven has looked upon the earth to hear the groanings of those in chains, to free the sons of those put to death;

To proclaim in Sion the name of the Lord and his praise Jerusalem when the peoples are gathered together with the kingdoms, for the service of the Lord.

On the way, his strength failed him: Tell me how few are my days, Take me not away in the middle of life: years are everlasting for You!

O Lord, You founded the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They shall be destroyed, but You remain; they shall all wear out as a cloak;

And as a garment you shall fold them, and they shall be changed. But You are the same, and your years shall not pass.

The sons of your servants shall be sheltered and their seed shall prosper forever.

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PRAYER FOR PARDON AND MERCY

Out of the depths, I have cried to You, Lord; O Lord, listen to my voice; Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.

If You retain sins, Lord, O Lord, who will be left? With You there is forgiveness.

For your Name’s sake, O Lord, I have waited for You; My soul has waited for your word, my soul has hoped in the Lord.

From the watch of dawn until the night, from the watch of dawn, let Israel long for the Lord.

For with the Lord there is mercy and with Him abundant redemption. And it is He who will redeem Israel from all his iniquities.

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PRAYER OF A PENITENT IN DISTRESS

And enter not into judgment with your servant, since of all the living none is just before You.

The enemy has pursued my soul, he has crushed my life into the ground; He has forced me to dwell in darkness like those long dead.

My spirit was overwhelmed with grief and within me my heart was troubled. Remembering the days of old, I meditated on all your deeds, I thought of the works of your hands.

I stretched out my hands to You; like a parched land my soul longed for You. Listen to me without delay, 0 Lord: my spirit has failed me.

Turn not your face away from me, nor let me sink in the pit like the others. Grant that I may hear your love at dawn For I have placed my hope in You.

O Lord, let me know which way I shall go, for I have lifted up my soul to You. Deliver me, O Lord, from my enemies: it is to You that I have fled.

Teach me to do your will, for You are my God; may your good Spirit lead me over level ground. For the sake of your Name, 0 Lord, You will keep me alive.

In your saving bounty, You will deliver my soul from oppression, And in your loving kindness, You will destroy my enemies,

And bring to naught all those who grieve my soul, for I am your servant.

O Lord, listen to my prayer; in your truth give heed to my request and in your justice hear me,

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—KING OF JUDAH—

Almighty Lord, God of our fathers, of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and of their descendents; You made heaven and the earth with all their splendor. You have contained the seas by the word of your command. You have shut up the deep and sealed it by Your mighty and glorious Name. You are feared by all things and before your power they all tremble. The majesty of your glory cannot be grasped and the anger of threats toward sinners is intolerable; and yet your merciful promise is immeasurable and unsearchable; for You are the Lord most high; the Lord of great compassion, long suffering, abundant in mercy, and forgiving the sins of which I am guilty.

O Lord, according to your great goodness, you have promised repentance and forgiveness to them that have sinned against You; and your infinite mercies have established repentance to sinners so that they may be saved.

O Lord of hosts, You did not appoint repentance to the just, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, who have not sinned against you; but You have established repentance for me who is a sinner; for my sins are more in number than the

sands of the beaches of the seas. 0 Lord, my transgressions are multiplied, my transgressions are multiplied, and I am not worthy to behold and look up to the height of heaven because of the number and the magnitude of my iniquities.

I am weighed down by iron fetters, so that I cannot lift up my head because of my sins, neither do I have any reprieve for I have provoked your wrath and done that which is evil before You. I have neither done Your will nor Have I kept your commandments. I have set up abominations and multiplied detestable deeds.

Therefore, now I stand and bow the knee of my heart, beseeching your grace. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned, and I acknowledge my iniquities; but I humbly beseech you, forgive me, O Lord, forgive me, and destroy me not with my iniquities. Be not angry with me forever, by reserving my evils for me; neither condemn me to the great abyss; for you O Lord, are the God of them who repent; and to me show all your goodness; for you will save me, unworthy that I am, according to your great mercy. I will praise You all the days of my life, for all the hosts of heaven sing praise to You and give you glory forever and ever ... Amen.

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Forgive, Lord, those who hate me and those who oppress me. Act kindly toward those who themselves act kindly, and grant my brethren and all those who belong to me all the means of salvation and of eternal life. Visit those who are in sickness, and grant them healing. Direct those who are at sea; be with them who are on land; and preserve our government. Grant those who serve and are merciful to me forgiveness of sins; and upon those who have asked me to pray for them, have mercy according to your great mercy. Remember, Lord, those of my fathers and brothers who have preceded me in slumber. Grant them repose where the light of your countenance shines. Remember, Lord, those who offer gifts and perform deeds of kindness in your holy churches, and grant them all the means of salvation and of eternal life. Remember also, your sinful and unworthy servant, and lead me in the way of your commandments, by the intercession of your most holy Mother, our ever virgin Lady, the Theotokos Mary, and of all your saints; for you are blessed forever.