Prayer in fasting before Easter - for every day, before meals, in the morning and evening - reading the prayer of Ephraim the Sirin in Great Lent
Millions of active Christians live in cities. But noisy megacities willy-nilly impose their stamp on the spiritual state of every person. Tired citizens are immersed in a whirlpool of everyday worries: they study, work, endlessly rush somewhere. The vast majority of believers and believers simply do not find time to participate in all Lenten services. Life and "workdays" are removed from good deeds, bright thoughts and self-improvement. At this time, is it not superfluous to have at least a remote idea of what the life of an ordinary Christian should be like during Great Lent? What prayers to read at home before meals and every day before Easter? How is the prayer in the fast to Ephraim the Syrian different from other liturgical texts?
What prayer to read in Lent
Great Lent is a bright and joyful period of cleansing from sins and getting rid of all heavy thoughts and deeds. During the fasting period, it is necessary to refuse heavy food of animal origin, bad habits, stupid pastime. It is important not only to tame your temper and systematize your life, but also to rise spiritually by studying Holy Scripture, reading prayers, communicating with the Lord. Such activities should be given at least two hours a day - an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. We must not forget about reading the prayer before eating in Great Lent. After all, even modest and insipid food is sent to us by the Lord.
Unfortunately, not every speech addressed to the Almighty can be correctly interpreted. When choosing a beautiful prayer, do not forget about its semantic content. To ask for peace and rest for every day, read "Our Father", for the forgiveness of sins - the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian, to express gratitude for food in fasting - "We thank Thee, Christ our God."
Short Jesus Prayer for Lent
Entire books have been written about how to pray correctly, with long and detailed explanations. But not every fasting person will find time to study all the wisdom of the Church. It is much easier and faster to learn a short prayer in order to pronounce the correct words daily during the morning and evening chant.
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"
The main thing is that the prayer appeal to the Lord corresponds internal state person, and did not go against the emotions and desires.
Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian for Great Lent
The amazing prayer of Ephraim the Syrian is read during Great Lent every day from Sunday evening to Friday. Lenten prayer, which belongs to one of the main teachers of spiritual life, stands out against the background of other church hymns. At the first reading of the prayer text, after each petition, they bow to the ground. Then 12 times in the mind they read "God, cleanse me, a sinner," accompanied by waist bows. And once again a prayer Saint Ephraim Sirin in Great Lent with one bow to the ground.
The text of the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian for reading in Great Lent
Why did such a simple and short prayer take such a weighty place in Lenten services? Because it is in her texts that all the positive and negative elements of repentance and the list of individual human exploits aimed at combating sins are displayed in a special way: negligence, idleness, laziness, arrogance, idle talk, impatience, etc.
Reading the text of Yefim the Sirin's prayer for Great Lent, we convince the Almighty of our intention to live in truth and justice, in love and work.
"Lord and Master of my life,
do not give me the spirit of idleness, despondency, arrogance and idle talk.
(Earth bow).
The spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love, grant me to Your servant.
(Earth bow).
Hey, Lord the King,
grant me to see my sins, and do not judge my brother,
for blessed art thou unto the ages of ages, amen.
(Earth bow).
God, cleanse me a sinner,
(12 times and the same number of waist bows).
Then repeat the whole prayer):
Lord and Master of life……. forever and ever, amen.
(and one prostration)."
A simple fasting prayer for every day
The period of strict Great Lent is complicated in itself: food is limited, habits are put aside, the usual course of a measured life radically changes its direction. IN daily schedule a lot of additional items appear, including the selection of a special menu for the whole family, visiting the temple, giving alms to the poor, etc. In order to at least get rid of the turmoil and feel moral peace, it is recommended to read simple prayers in fasting for every day at any free moment.
The text of the daily prayer to the Lord during Lent
There are dozens of different prayers for daily reading during Lent. Some are suitable for worship on weekdays. Others are worth reading on weekends or exclusively before a meal. Among the abundance of Lenten prayers, it is easy to get lost. We offer you the text of the daily prayer to the Lord, which is optimally suited for all occasions during Great Lent.
God, my God!
Do Thy mercy to me
and teach me to love you more than my own life,
for the eyes of faith will not see this world,
who seized my heart and took my life.
Grant me, Lord, the strength to love my life,
Which is You, my God,
and how pure and straight are thy ways
before my face.
For fearful are thy ways, O God, to my heart,
because the world is not in them;
my heart does not find affirmation in them,
because they neglected their faith.
I'm afraid of the fiery test,
and as a stranger to me I fear him.
But when my time is up
with what will I stand before your righteousness?
Prayer to read before eating during fasting
Oddly enough, but during a period of strict food restriction, we most of all think about food. Indeed, without the question of nutrition, Great Lent cannot be started or completed. This is the first component, which is not inferior in importance to either works of mercy, or fervent prayers, or the precise organization of one's time. Denying ourselves forbidden foods, excessive gluttony and expensive delicacies, we express love and gratitude to the Lord. But even this is not enough for a full-fledged fast. Prayers of thanksgiving should be read before every modest meal. What exactly? Look further. Surely you have long been familiar with these prayers for reading before eating during fasting.
Simple prayers to read before meals and after meals during Lent
Lent is not just food restrictions, but also hard spiritual work on oneself. Do not forget about the frequent reading of prayers. At the same time, there is no need to transfer communication with the Lord to the level of monotonous mumbling of mechanically memorized lines. Sincere prayer before meals during Lent can be expressed in your own words. If only the essence was clear to man and the Almighty.
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, bless our food and drink with the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints, as blessed forever and ever. Amen (to cross drink and food)
Our Father, Who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, 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.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen. Lord have mercy (three times). bless.
We thank Thee, Christ our God, for Thou hast satisfied us with Thy earthly blessings; do not deprive us of Your Kingdom of Heaven, but as in the middle of Your disciples, Thou hast come, Savior, give them peace, come to us and save us.
Christian prayer in fasting before Easter
The feast of the bright Resurrection of Christ is the most important day for everything Christendom. It is not surprising that on the eve of such a grand event, Christians pray with unprecedented inspiration. Anticipating the imminent resurrection of the Savior, both teenagers, and adults, and the elderly are trying to cleanse themselves not only physically (by cleaning the house, yard, etc.), but also morally (asking for forgiveness and apologizing for sinful acts). And Christian prayer is best suited for such purposes in fasting before Easter.
The text of the Christian prayer for reading before Easter in fasting
God, my God!
Give my heart ignorance of passions
and lift up my eye above the folly of the world,
from now on, create my life not to please them
and give me pity on those who persecute me.
For your joy is known in sorrows, my God,
and a straight soul will improve it,
her fate proceeds from your presence
and there is no diminution of her blessedness.
Lord Jesus Christ my God
Make straight my paths on earth.
Prayer in fasting important element the daily Lenten life of Christians, along with dietary restrictions and the rejection of the usual worldly entertainment. You can read the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian and others not only in the morning or before meals, but also at any free minute every day of Great Lent before Easter.
Great is the temptation to fall into despondency: “How can I live without tasty food! Now no fun! What a long service! – while there is no reason to be discouraged. Long services are both high examples of medieval spiritual poetry, and philosophical reflections on the place of man in eternity, and a sense of unity with other worshipers, and communion with God Himself.
At least, if not more often, back side Lenten despondency: “I cannot fast according to the Rule. I skip services. I am distracted by worldly vanity.
Trite, but no less true: remember that God does not need a stomach and legs, but a heart, He sees in the human soul a sincere desire to serve Him, and sees infirmities.
This constant remembrance of God will be our unceasing joy in Him.
No, of course, we all do not need to become hesychasts for fasting, but we can try to become half a step closer to the ideal.
Prayer should be given a little more time than usual. More attention to the services - sometimes it is worth taking a book with the texts of the service with you. It is more careful to fulfill the prayer rule - get out of the computer half an hour earlier and read the evening prayers. Add . On the way, listen or read the Psalter.
It is useful to fight against numerous Lenten temptations with prayer: to respond to irritation, anger, and despondency in oneself with a brief Jesus Prayer.
Household chores, rush-hour travel, noise at work - even if we were able to organize our lives in such a way that we only eat permitted food, read the entire prayer rule and even pray during the day, we are terribly tired of all this fuss. And this is where the temple comes to the rescue.
In monasteries and in many parish churches in big cities During Great Lent, divine services are celebrated every day in the morning and in the evening. It is worth visiting at least part of the service before or after work - this sets you in a completely different way from the surrounding reality.
There are divine services for which it is not a sin to take time off from work early. These are - on the first four days of Great Lent, on Wednesday evening of the fifth week, the Akathist to the Mother of God on Friday evening, services ...
It is good to visit at least once during the fast - by the way, in some churches it is sometimes performed in the evenings (for example, in the Sretensky Monastery several times during the fast, the Presanctified begins at 18.00).
It is common knowledge that fasting is needed not by God, but by us. Great Lent consists of two parts: Lent and Holy Week. The first is the time of repentance, the second is the time of purification, preparation for Easter.
It is not for nothing that the Church offers us the reading of the canon of St. Andrew of Crete twice for Lent. It is not in vain that every Lenten Saturday during the All-Night Vigil we hear the chant “Open the doors of repentance, Giver of Life.” It is not for nothing that three weeks before Lent the Church calls for repentance: with the parable of the publican and the Pharisee, the parable of the prodigal son, a reminder of the Last Judgment and the expulsion of Adam from Paradise.
It is precisely for repentance that we need the time of Fortecost. If you are not going to repent, you should not start and fast - a waste of health.
By the way, health. If during the fast there are problems with well-being, the degree of abstinence should be immediately discussed with the confessor.
According to the charter, or even close to the charter, there can be no talk of any unauthorized fasting if there are diseases associated with the stomach or metabolism. IN modern conditions even monasteries in rare cases fast with dry eating - the Lord will not condemn a working person who does not shine with health.
(It is worth remembering that during Great Lent a sacrament is performed in churches - anointing with specially consecrated oil with a prayer for the healing of the sick.)
In no way will a stomach ulcer bring you closer to God, and it can even significantly distance you - an extremely thin line between sincere striving for obedience to the church charter, not sparing your stomach, and pride in your diligence.
“I fast - I am conceited, and I do not fast - I am conceited,” he mourns in his Ladder.
“Vanity by fasting” is dangerous in its obviousness and goes hand in hand with condemnation. A brother eats fish during the first week of Great Lent, while you sit on bread and water? None of your business. He drinks milk, and you don't even put sugar in your tea? You don't know how his body works (by the way, seminaries often give dairy products to students). I ate a sausage and the next day I went to take communion, while you began the Eucharistic fast even before All-night vigil? This is the business of him and the priest who admitted him to the sacrament.
“Vanity through impunity” is a more subtle passion. In our time, there is such a character as the publican, who is proud that he is not a Pharisee. And here another trend already arises: he does not eat vegetable oil - but on the other hand, I put a hundred prostrations before bedtime! He does not drink any alcohol - but I repent every weekend!
Therefore, I would like to repeat the call of educators in kindergarten: "Look at your plate!"
And in general, talk less about food. No matter how tired this simple truth is, Great Lent is only to the least extent a change in diet.
Vegetarians never eat animal food - it neither brings them closer to God nor removes them, exactly in accordance with the words of the apostle.
Continuation famous quote: “but with every word of God,” is ideal for the Lenten period, when reading the Bible - the word of God - is given special attention.
During Great Lent, it is customary to read the entire Gospel. Also during this period, the Old Testament is read daily in temples.
It would be good to combine a decrease in interest in the contents of other people's plates with an increase in attention to others in general.
Focusing on one's own spiritual state should not turn into indifference to others. Fasting should benefit the cultivation of both virtues in oneself: love for God and love for neighbors.
He called for spending the money saved on the Lenten meal to help the poor. Having dined for several days in the dining room with a side dish without a cutlet, you can buy gloves for a freezing beggar or an educational game in an orphanage.
It is not at all necessary during fasting to interrupt communication with people who may need it - a pregnant friend, a sick neighbor, a lonely relative. Chatting with them over a cup of tea is not entertainment, but helping one's neighbor.
A kind attitude towards our neighbors sometimes turns into the most unpleasant side for us: human pleasing. In fact, as a rule, there is no good attitude here - there is one's own weakness of character and dependence on someone else's opinion. It is during Great Lent that this passion intensifies.
"Let's meet on Friday after work at the cafe!" - offers a friend, and now you are already ordering a cake with her - you can’t offend!
"Come visit on Saturday night!" - the neighbors call, and you miss the service instead of apologizing and rescheduling the meeting to a later time or Sunday.
"Eat a piece of chicken, otherwise I'll be offended!" - the relative is frankly capricious, and here you can even hide behind respect for the elders, only it will be cunning: unwillingness to go into conflict is far from always connected with love for one's neighbor.
To free ourselves from the sin of pleasing people, we can recall the advice given: we must hide our personal fasts so as not to fast for show, but a general church fast is standing in the faith. We must not only respect our neighbors ourselves, but also strive to be respected for us and our faith.
Most often, people understand polite explanations and get into position. And even more often it turns out that our tricky interpretations are far-fetched. A friend in a coffee shop is not at all embarrassed by our empty cup of espresso, the neighbors will be happy to meet after the service, and a relative will gladly treat the fasting guest with potatoes and mushrooms.
Finally, the most important rule of Great Lent is to remember why this period exists.
Great Lent - the time of concentrated expectation of the Light Christ's Resurrection. Active expectations: together with the Lord we will try to go through forty days of fasting, together with the Lord we will approach the tomb of Lazarus, together with the Lord we will enter Jerusalem, we will listen to Him in the Temple, we will commune together with the Apostles at His Last Supper, we will follow Him on the Way of the Cross, with Mother of God and beloved Christ's apostle John let us mourn at Golgotha...
Finally, together with the myrrh-bearers, we will come to open coffin and again and again we will experience joy: He is not here. Christ is Risen!
Great Lent, which comes immediately after the end of the Maslenitsa week, is accompanied not only by strict abstinence from meat and even dairy foods, but also by prayer. Prayer in fasting - this is a personal appeal to God, asking him for forgiveness for committed unseemly acts and humility. Of course, there is no prayer without faith - those who kneel before the icons in front of people, sinning outside the temple after the end of the service - pseudo-believers, hypocrites. Prayer lives in the soul, in the heart - next to God, and not in public, next to window dressing. In the longest of the fasts of Orthodoxy - Great Lent - believers read prayers every day, reread the Old and New Testament attending worship services. For those who abstain from abundant food for forty days before Easter, there is a prayer of Ephraim the Syrian, which is pronounced not only before meals, but also at other times of the day, from Sunday evening until Friday.
Orthodox prayer for every day in fasting
Saying a prayer, believers turn to God, the saints, the Most Holy Theotokos. On holidays, the Orthodox read joyful prayers, on fasting they ask the Almighty to grant them strength to refrain from sins, glorify the Lord God. The duration of prayers for each day varies depending on the beliefs of the person. For some, it is considered the norm to pray for a long time in the morning, afternoon and evening, for others a few minutes daily are enough for this, still others pray only on significant days before Easter and during Great Lent.
Examples of prayers for each day of fasting
The most main prayer Christian - Our Father - is familiar to many by heart. It can be read on the days of fasting, every day. It is also correct to say laudatory prayers to the Lord, to pray to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit. The Tresvyate prayer, also called the angelic song, is read three times. In it, believers turn to the Holy Trinity. Holy Trinity dedications and a separate prayer glorifying the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Our Father, Thou art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy Kingdom come, 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.
Or: The eyes of all trust in You, O Lord, and You give them food in good time; You open Your generous hand and fulfill every animal of good will (lines from Ps. 144).
For the blessing of food and drink for the laity
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, bless our food and drink with the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all Your saints, for you are blessed forever and ever. Amen. (And cross food and drink)
Prayers after meals
We thank Thee, O Christ our God, for Thou hast satisfied us with Thy earthly blessings; Do not deprive us of Your Heavenly Kingdom, but as if in the midst of Your disciples, Thou hast come, Savior, give them peace, come to us and save us.
Orthodox prayer in fasting before Easter
Many believers admit that the sensations they experience in Lent before Easter are incomparable with anything. At this time, the Orthodox have a bright hope that life was not given to them in vain; they begin to understand the true meaning of the days given to them on earth. Many people kneel, praising the Almighty in prayers and asking him for forgiveness for sins. Fasting gives hope, determines the goal: ahead is Easter and the resurrection of Christ. Fasting also gives a taste for life. A person who limits himself in food and joys begins to feel real joy from the most modest food. If fasting people refrain from marital relations, later this holds the family together, strengthens the love of husband and wife, and gives healthy offspring.
Examples of prayers before Easter during fasting
Great Lent, starting the day after the end Wide Maslenitsa, lasts forty days. At this time, daily services are held in the churches, and the Orthodox pray for salvation and forgiveness. During the first week of Lent, the Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete is read. The indestructible Psalter is read both for the repose and for the health of loved ones; such prayers can be ordered in temples or read in person. The most famous of all the pre-Easter prayers - Ephraim the Syrian - is read daily, except for Saturday and Sunday. Our Father and prayers to the saints in the fast before Easter are read more often, spoken both to oneself and out loud.
Publican's Prayer
God, have mercy on me a sinner.
Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.
Prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us. Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, through the prayers of Your Pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us (have mercy on us). Amen.
Prayer to the Holy Spirit
Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul of Truth, Who is everywhere and fills everything, Treasury of the good and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, O Blessed, our soul.
Trisagion
(angelic song)
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Almighty, Holy Immortal, be merciful to us.
Christian prayer of Ephrem the Syrian in Great Lent
Among other prayers of Great Lent, the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian is more famous than others and is said daily, with the exception of Sunday and Saturday. This penitential prayer is read both at divine services and at home. In a few short lines of appeal to God, the believer is asked to eradicate the spirit of idleness and idle talk in them and grant them patience, chastity and love.
When and how is the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian read in fasting
You should start reading the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian on the evening of Forgiveness Sunday before Great Lent. After asking prayers, the churched people bow and read the prayer “God, cleanse me, a sinner” twelve times. In churches, the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian is read on Cheese Week on Wednesday and Friday, on Holy Fortecost and on Passion Week, on the first three days. The last time in Great Lent this prayer is said on Great Wednesday, four days before Easter.
Prayer of Ephrem the Syrian
Lord and Master of my life,
Do not give me the spirit of idleness, despondency, arrogance and idle talk.
Grant the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to me, Thy servant.
Hey, Lord, King!
Grant me to see my sins,
And don't judge my brother
For blessed are you forever and ever.
What prayer to read in fasting
Fasting and prayer give the believer change, give hope of change. A person is given the opportunity to become better if he wants it. Common Orthodox prayer and the realization that the whole Orthodox world is fasting gives the feeling that you are not alone. By fasting and praying, a person purifies not only his body, but also his soul and thoughts. In Great Lent, you need to read the Psalter and Akathist, sowing forgiveness from God and praising him. At home, believers can read any Christian prayers that are close to the soul.
Examples of Orthodox prayers during fasting
Unlike temples, where certain prayers are read for each day of fasting, in ordinary life believers can address God in their own words. There is no need to assume that by saying the words of the prayer incompletely, you exclude the possibility of conveying your thoughts to the Lord. The main thing in prayer is faith, humility and diligence
Praise to the Lord God
(small doxology)
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Doxology to the Holy Trinity
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.
Praise be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and always, and forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer to the Holy Trinity
Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse our sins; Lord, forgive our iniquities; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Your name's sake.
Prayer in fasting before eating - Appeal to God
Lent is a time of abstinence from meat and dairy foods, renunciation of earthly pleasures, prayers and purification of the soul. For forty fast days prayers are said both before meals and after meals. The Lord is thanked for the sent food in famous Orthodox prayers or in your own words.
Examples of fasting prayers before meals
Before eating, in many Christian families during fasting and on other days, it is customary to pray before eating, saying "Our Father" before eating food and thanking the Lord for the food sent. In fasting, prayers are also asked to strengthen faith in God, giving strength for abstinence and renunciation of animal food.
Lord's Prayer
Our Father, Who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy will be done, as in heaven, and on earth. Give us our daily bread today, and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer before eating
The eyes of all in Thee, O Lord, trust, and You give them food in good time, You open Your generous hand and fulfill every kind of animal goodwill.
Prayer after eating
We thank Thee, Christ our God, for Thou hast satisfied us with Thy earthly blessings; do not deprive us of Your heavenly Kingdom, but as if in the midst of Your disciples, Thou hast come, Savior, give them peace, come to us and save us.
(We thank You, Christ our God, that You nourished us with Your earthly blessings; do not deprive us of Your Heavenly Kingdom).
Prayer in the post helps believers understand the strength of the spirit bestowed upon bodily abstinence and cleansing from sinful deeds. Praying during Great Lent, the Orthodox also thank Jesus Christ, the saints and the Mother of God for the gift of life and the opportunity to turn to the Almighty. Since prayer is always a sincere appeal to God, you can pray before Easter and during fasting before eating both in your own words and memorized Christian prayers. One of the most famous prayers - Ephraim the Syrian - is read both during fasting and on the last day of the Maslenitsa week. During the reading of prayers in fasting, faith is strengthened in a person by the power of the Holy Spirit.
On March 11, 2019, Orthodox Christians begin their longest fast. Great Lent lasts for 48 days, starting on Clean Monday and ending on Easter Eve on Holy Saturday.
Duration of Great Lent
The church established a seven-week fast in memory of how Jesus Christ spent 40 days in the wilderness. All this time he did not eat anything and constantly resisted the temptations of the devil. He withstood the test of loneliness and hunger, did not succumb to the temptations of the Devil, forced him to retreat.
A believer, embarking on a multi-day fast, seeks to purify his soul, struggling with external and internal temptations. Such behavior helps to understand what a feat the Savior accomplished, struggling for 40 days with the passions of human nature, to feel the burden of resistance to temptations.
To the 40 days of Christ's Fasting in the wilderness, the Church added Holy Week, in memory of the Lord's entry into Jerusalem, where the Savior took upon himself suffering and martyrdom. In the Great Week, believers remember and experience the torment of Jesus, mourn on the day of his death, in order to sincerely rejoice on Christ's Bright Sunday.
Post Description
Great Lent is not only the longest, but also the most strict of all the fasts of the annual cycle. It involves a complete rejection of meat and dairy products. fish and vegetable oil allowed to use several times in 48 days. Last Holy Week fasting rules are close to a complete rejection of food. The church presents in detail the daily diet of a fasting person at the annual Orthodox calendars. These calendars can be purchased at any church shop.
In order to make it easier for people to endure Great Lent, it is preceded by Maslenitsa week. This time festive feasts with an abundance of fast food. The body stores the necessary amount of animal proteins, and abstinence from meat and dairy products is much easier to tolerate.
For beginners, it is not easy to endure a multi-day fast. The clergy say that you should not exhaust yourself with fasting on the road, in illness and in motherhood. Nursing mothers, sick people, as well as those who need more on the road nutrients to maintain the body, so during such periods it is not only possible, but necessary to retreat from fasting.
Those who have just set foot on the path of Christianity, first of all, need to understand that the time of fasting is not only the refusal of certain dishes, it is the abstinence from all sin, including alcohol, intimate relationships and slander.
The holy apostles and clergy unambiguously say that the time of fasting is the time of upbringing of the spirit. “It is not the sin that is in the mouth, but the sin that is out of the mouth,” says the biblical aphorism. This phrase contains deep meaning fasting. Deviating from the rules of eating fast food, a person does not sin in the eyes of the Lord, but when he speaks evil and foul language, offends his neighbors in word and deed, then his soul is blackened by a grave sin.
How to pray in Great Lent?
endure great post according to all church canons it is difficult. Prayer helps to strengthen oneself in faith. During fasting, services are held daily in churches to help parishioners pray. That is why during fasting one should strive to come to the temple as often as possible. The clergy will prompt and guide the believer who has accepted fasting. During the service, a person not only joins the divine hymns, but has the opportunity to communicate with like-minded people, to feel that he is not alone in his faith. Communication with other believers strengthens the desire to endure the fast to the end in accordance with all the rules.
Lay people who are unable to attend church can pray at home on their own or with the whole family. During fasting, daily morning and evening prayers are read, to which the famous universal prayer of Ephrem the Syrian joins.
When choosing daily prayers, the fasting person must remember that asking the Lord these days is only necessary to cleanse the soul from vices and strengthen in faith. Petitions for love and well-being are best left for the holidays.
Prayers should be read daily, and several times a day, especially when moments of temptation come. Reading the Gospel helps to distract from bad thoughts. If you have children, have a Bible reading every evening. Introducing the child to faith, the parents themselves become one step closer to God, delighting him with their actions.
No matter how long Lent is, it ends by Easter. Believers who were able to withstand it according to Orthodox laws, on the festive night of the Resurrection of the Lord, receive an indescribable reward - God's Grace. May God be with you.
Prayers during Lent
The prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian is one of the most frequently recited during the Great Orthodox Lent. Prayer is read daily, except weekends and until Wednesday Holy Week inclusive.
Lord and Master of my life, do not give me the spirit of idleness, despondency, arrogance and idle talk. Grant the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to me, Thy servant. Yes, Lord, King, grant me to see my sins and not condemn my brother, for you are blessed forever and ever. Amen
morning prayer
Our Father, Who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, 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.
The advent of Lent requires the laity to behave "correctly", which should clear their minds and help them feel light. Therefore, during fasting, you should not eat heavy food, you should try to give up bad habits. But even before Easter, you need to rise spiritually by reading Holy Scripture and praying daily. It is recommended to devote time to prayer both in the morning and in the evening. For example, it can be read every day before meals. This may be the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian or other prayers. It is only important to observe the purity of thoughts, to drive away evil thoughts from oneself. A special prayer during fasting will help you easily prepare for Easter and meet the great holiday in a great mood.
Beautiful prayer for every day of fasting for the laity
Everyday bustle, work and household chores in many ways leave their mark on all the laity. After all, sometimes they simply do not find the strength and desire to visit a church or spend time in the family circle reading the Holy Scriptures. Therefore, during Great Lent they will be able to restore spiritual balance, communicate with loved ones and relatives, forget about the fuss and thank the Lord for the health of their family. A beautiful prayer in Great Lent, recited during church ministry or before eating at home.
Examples of beautiful prayers for each day of Lent
When choosing a beautiful Lenten prayer, one should not forget that in the first days of fasting, a long chant is required. In the initial 4 days, you need to pay as much attention as possible to spiritual cleansing. This will help to remember the lightness, "shake off" problems, fuss and sinful thoughts.
Tell my soul about yourself
do not conceal your shame in your heart.
For God is near, who takes away shame from the human heart,
weeping for their sins.
Tell yourself what you have sinned
reveal to your Lord the words of your sins,
and the Lord your God will make you white,
merciful to the penitent and hating the well-fed.
Oh my God!
How much care and fear in my life,
how terrible is your forgetfulness,
and how familiar it has become to my heart.
How shamefully I wandered through your land
and in pleasing the world she wasted her days fruitlessly,
I bowed low and trembled before princes and sons of men
for the sake of earthly blessings, which the world loves.
But how my slavery is frozen in my ways,
how stuffy my heart is under the sun of a new day!
Daily prayers for Lent for the laity
Many lay people are wondering what kind of prayer to read in fasting. There are many Lenten prayers that are also suitable for worship in weekdays and for worship on Saturday and Sunday. Among the options below, you can find simple and beautiful prayers for each day of fasting.
God, my God!
Do Thy mercy to me
and teach me to love you more than my own life,
for the eyes of faith will not see this world,
who seized my heart and took my life.
Grant me, Lord, the strength to love my life,
Which is You, my God,
and how pure and straight are thy ways
before my face.
For fearful are thy ways, O God, to my heart,
because the world is not in them;
my heart does not find affirmation in them,
because they neglected their faith.
I'm afraid of the fiery test,
and as a stranger to me I fear him.
But when my time is up
with what will I stand before your righteousness?
For my enemy is taking away my days,
my strength is corrupted in the face of his wickedness.
I will not be silent, Lord, in my fear,
for my soul has known his thoughts.
But now hear me, O Lord my God!
Open your ears to my infirmity
and lift up my heart to reject his fear,
teach my heart to love your truth
and raise my days in the way of thy righteousness.
Grant abstinence to my satiety
and satisfy my soul to Thee to the end.
What prayers before Easter can be read in fasting?
When choosing prayers, one must take into account that with their help one must adhere to fasting, not only physical, but also spiritual. After all, before Easter, you need to refrain from eating heavy animal food, and from bad thoughts, moral burdens. Even a short prayer in fasting before Easter will help you feel relief and find yourself in the worldly bustle, get rid of turmoil and problems.
Prayers for fasting before Easter for the laity
Among the proposed Lenten prayers, the laity will be able to find those words that will help them adhere to the fast and observe the prescribed rules. You can say prayers not only during worship or before eating, but also when negative and sinful thoughts arise. Short Prayer will allow you to spiritually cleanse and tune in a positive way.
God, my God!
Give my heart ignorance of passions
and lift up my eye above the folly of the world,
from now on, create my life not to please them
and give me pity on those who persecute me.
For your joy is known in sorrows, my God,
and a straight soul will improve it,
her fate proceeds from your presence
and there is no diminution of her blessedness.
Lord Jesus Christ my God
Make straight my paths on earth.
Ephraim the Syrian Special Prayer for Great Lent
The prayer of St. Efim the Syrian is one of the most frequently recited during Great Lent. A short prayer includes repentance and a request to endow the person pronouncing it with the strength to resist sins, to be cleansed. It allows not only to get rid of temptations, but also to drive away such vices as idleness and despondency. The prayer of Ephraim the Syrian is included in Great Lent and in church services. Thanks to the small and rich text, it is easy to remember. But when voicing a prayer, one must take into account the features and time of its pronunciation. For example, on Saturday and Sunday, it is customary to say other Lenten prayers.
Prayer of Ephraim the Syrian for reading during Lent
After learning the prayer of Efim the Sirin, you need to take care of its correct pronunciation. It is usually repeated twice (according to the rules described below) after the service.
Lord and Master of my life,
Do not give me the spirit of idleness, despondency, arrogance and idle talk.
Grant the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to me, Thy servant.
Hey, Lord, King!
Grant me to see my sins,
And don't judge my brother
For blessed are you forever and ever.
What prayer should be read in fasting in the morning and evening?
During Lent, it is customary to attend services. Therefore, before visiting the church, it is recommended to learn the most frequently performed prayers at the services. They can be repeated at home. At the same time, it is recommended to allocate time both for the joint reading of the Holy Scriptures, and for hymns or reading prayers with the family. This will allow relatives to unite and forget about any differences.
Morning prayers for Lent
I believe, Lord, but You confirm my faith.
I trust, Lord
but You strengthen my hope.
I loved You, Lord
but you cleanse my love
and ignite it.
I lament, Lord, but You do
May I increase my repentance.
I revere, O Lord, Thee, my Creator,
I sigh for You, I call on You.
Guide me with your wisdom,
protect and strengthen.
I commit to You, my God, my thoughts,
let them come from you.
My deeds be in Your name,
and my desires be in Your will.
Illuminate my mind, strengthen my will,
cleanse the body, sanctify the soul.
Let me see my sins
don't be fooled by pride
help me overcome temptation.
May I praise You all the days of my life,
which you have given me.
Amen.
Come, let us worship our King God.
Come, let us bow down and bow down to Christ, our King God.
Come, let us worship and bow down to Christ Himself, the King and our God.
