Prayers Short prayers
Short prayers
for any moment
Prayers of a breath or a minute, for any hour of the day: the Jesus Prayer, the Trisagion and the short prayers the saints taught.
Picture: Ivan Kramskoy, Christ in the Wilderness, 1872
4 prayers here are spoken to the saints and are hidden.
1 more prayer, spoken to a saint, also matches.
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For any time
9-
The Jesus Prayer A few words calling on Jesus, said slowly again and again. To Christ A few seconds each time -
O Heavenly King Asks the Holy Spirit to come and dwell in us. To the Holy Spirit About 20 seconds -
The Trisagion Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: a cry for mercy. To the Holy Trinity A few seconds -
Glory to God for all things St John Chrysostom’s thanks to God, his last words as he died. A few seconds St John Chrysostom -
Glory to the Father Praise of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, said all day. To the Holy Trinity A few seconds -
Glory to You, O Lord Sung as the Gospel is read: praise before it and praise after it. A few seconds -
Lord, have mercy The cry of the Gospels, said 3, 12 or 40 times. A breath each time -
O God, come to my assistance The psalm verse St John Cassian taught for every temptation. A few seconds St John Cassian -
Prayer of the Hours Asks Christ to receive our prayers and guide our lives. To Christ About a minute
Worry, fear and sadness
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For anxiety and fear Lord, save me Peter’s three-word cry as he began to sink in the waves. To Christ A few seconds St Peter - For anxiety and fear O God, You see my affliction Two lines from the elders of Gaza for when thoughts weigh on you. A few seconds St John the Prophet of Gaza
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For burnout O God, You know that I have no strength Tells God you have no strength left, as St Macarius did on the road. A few seconds St Macarius the Great -
For fear of death A Christian ending to our life Asks for a peaceful, Christian end to life and a good defence. A few seconds -
For intrusive thoughts Lord, Son of God, help me A few words an old desert monk gave against unwanted thoughts. To Christ A few seconds - For intrusive thoughts St Theophan against unwanted thoughts Tells God plainly that you do not want these thoughts. About 10 seconds
- For intrusive thoughts Prayer of St Anthony the Great A few words St Anthony prayed when dark thoughts would not leave him. A few seconds
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For peace of mind Like a weaned child (Psalm 131) Three verses for a soul that stops reaching too high and rests in God. About 20 seconds David -
For sadness and depression Comfort of the sad Asks that all who cry out in trouble find God’s mercy with them. About 20 seconds -
For stress Beholding the sea of life A one-sentence hymn to Christ when troubles rise like a stormy sea. To Christ A few seconds - For stress St Tikhon’s prayer in the storm Lord, save me: a prayer for when troubles are about to pull you under. To Christ About 20 seconds
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For worry about the future Lord, as You will and as You know For when you cannot see ahead: leave the outcome to God. A few seconds St Macarius the Great
Health and healing
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Before surgery Prayer for the surgeon Asks Christ to strengthen the surgeon’s hand for the operation. To Christ About 15 seconds - Before surgery St Barsanuphius on going to the doctors Entrusts you to the doctors in the Lord’s name, so God may heal. A few seconds
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Before surgery Kontakion of Sts Cyrus and John The hymn to two martyr doctors who heal by “unseen surgery”. To a saint About 20 seconds - For a sick child Prayer of the royal official A father begs Jesus to come and heal his dying son. To Christ A few seconds
- For a sick child Prayer of the Canaanite woman A mother’s cry to Jesus for her suffering daughter: “Lord, help me.” To Christ A few seconds
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For addiction O God, Whose nature is to have mercy Asks God to set free all who are held by the chain of sins. A few seconds -
For someone with cancer Raise up Your servant Asks God to raise up someone who is ill, as He did for Hezekiah. A few seconds -
For mental health I will pour out my prayer A Paraklesis hymn to God for a soul full of troubles. A few seconds Theosterictus the Monk -
For the eyes Lord, let me see A blind man begs Jesus for his sight, and receives it. To Christ A few seconds A blind man at Jericho, in Luke’s Gospel - For the eyes Tobit’s thanks for his sight A blind father’s first words when he sees his son again. A few seconds
- For healing Heal me, O Lord Jeremiah’s one-line prayer to be healed and saved. A few seconds Jeremiah
- For healing Lord, the one You love is sick The message Martha and Mary sent Jesus when their brother fell ill. To Christ A few seconds Martha and Mary of Bethany
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For healing Troparion of St Panteleimon The hymn to St Panteleimon, the doctor who healed without charge. To a saint About 15 seconds -
For healing Troparion of Sts Cosmas and Damian The hymn to the brothers who were doctors and took no payment. To a saint About 10 seconds - In chronic illness and pain Not beyond my strength Two short prayers St Nil Sorsky gave for the heaviest days. A few seconds St Barsanuphius and St Symeon the New Theologian
- In chronic illness and pain St John of Gaza’s prayer for healing Asks God for healing soon, if that is good for you, and trusts Him. A few seconds
Through the day
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At meals Prayer before meals The Lord’s Prayer, then a blessing on the food and drink. To Christ About a minute - At meals Bless, O Lord, Your gifts The old Latin grace behind “Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts”. A few seconds
- At meals Prayer after meals Thanks to Christ for the meal, and a plea for His kingdom. To Christ About 30 seconds
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Before reading Scripture St Isaac the Syrian’s prayer before reading Scripture Asks to perceive the power in the words of Scripture before you read. A few seconds - Before reading Scripture Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening The boy Samuel’s answer when God called him in the night. A few seconds Samuel
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Before sleep Into Your hands, O Lord Gives your spirit into Christ’s hands, at night or at life’s end. To Christ A few seconds - Before sleep Prayer of St Ioannikios One line of trust in the Father, the Son and the Spirit. To the Holy Trinity A few seconds
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Before study and exams Prayer before study Asks God for the Spirit’s grace to understand what we are taught. About 20 seconds - Before study and exams Prayer after study Thanks God for the lesson and asks Him to bless parents and teachers. About 15 seconds
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Before work Prayer before any task Asks Christ’s help before any work, for without Him we can do nothing. To Christ About 20 seconds - Before work Troparion before any good work A short hymn asking God to guide the work you begin for His glory. About 15 seconds
- Before work Prevent us, O Lord Asks God to go before every task and to see it through with His help. About 15 seconds
- Before work Prayer after any task Thanks Christ when work is done, and asks Him for joy and gladness. To Christ About 10 seconds
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For focus St John of Gaza against distraction For the moment you notice your mind has been carried off. About 15 seconds -
For nightmares Blessing for a bedroom Asks the God Who never sleeps to guard everyone asleep in a room. About 20 seconds -
In thanksgiving Troparion of thanksgiving A short hymn thanking God for every good thing He has given. About 20 seconds -
In the morning Morning prayer of St Macarius A sinner asks to be cleansed, so as to praise God’s name. About 20 seconds -
To find something lost Prayer of St Aretas For something lost or stolen: “All is Yours; I do not grieve over it.” A few seconds - Through the day Filled with the gifts of Your plenty Thanks after a meal, asking that the food not weigh down the mind. A few seconds
When someone dies
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After a suicide Prayer of St Leo of Optina Asks mercy for one who died by suicide or outside the Church. A few seconds -
For the departed Memory eternal The Church’s last words for the departed, and what they mean. A few seconds -
For the dying Lord, remember me A dying man’s prayer, answered with Paradise that same day. To Christ A few seconds The thief crucified beside Jesus -
In grief The God of all comfort Paul blesses the God Who comforts us in every trouble. About 15 seconds St Paul - In grief Lord, if You had been here Martha tells Jesus her brother would have lived, and still believes. To Christ About 20 seconds Martha of Bethany
For someone you love
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For a husband or wife Prayer for my husband or wife A husband’s or wife’s prayer that Christ guard the one they married. To Christ About a minute -
For your children Prayer for my children A parent’s prayer that Christ shelter their children and guide them. To Christ Under a minute - For your children St Ephrem’s prayer for children A plea to Christ to see His own childhood in your children. To Christ A few seconds
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For family and friends Prayer for family and friends Asks God to save and bless your family, relatives and friends. A few seconds -
For good friends Prayer for friendship Asks God to bless your friendships and come to you through friends. A few seconds - For your parents Prayer for my parents Asks Christ to keep your mother and father in love and health. To Christ Under a minute
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For someone far from God Prayer for those who have left the faith Asks God to give light to those who have left the faith. A few seconds -
To bless your children Short prayer for blessing children Said as a parent makes the sign of the cross over a child. To Christ A few seconds - To bless your children Priestly blessing The blessing God gave Aaron and his sons to speak over Israel. A few seconds
When it is hard
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After betrayal The Lord stood by me (St Paul) Deserted at his trial, St Paul asks that it not be held against them. About 30 seconds -
After losing a job The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away Blesses God on the day everything is lost, in Job’s words. A few seconds Job -
For a difficult boss Remember, O Lord, David The prayer book’s psalm for when those over you are angry. About two minutes -
For enemies Prayer for enemies Asks God to save and have mercy on those who hate and wrong you. A few seconds - For enemies St Ephrem’s prayer for enemies Asks God to spare your enemies and grant that they do His will. About 20 seconds
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For finding a job Nehemiah’s prayer for success Asks God for success today and for mercy from the person you face. A few seconds - For finding a job Peter’s prayer at the nets Peter’s answer when Jesus told him to fish again after an empty night. To Christ A few seconds
- In hard times Troparion in time of trouble A short hymn: help the weary, comfort the sad, keep us from trouble. A few seconds
- In hard times O God, our refuge in hardship Turns to God as refuge, strength, help and comfort in hard times. About 15 seconds
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Against gossip and slander St Ephrem’s prayer for those who slander me Asks God’s mercy on the people who hate, envy and slander you. Under a minute - Against gossip and slander Prayer of Susanna For when you are accused of something you did not do. Under a minute
Struggles and temptations
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After sinning I have sinned as a man A desert monk’s one-line plea for mercy after a grave sin. A few seconds Abba Apollo - After sinning Prayer of St John of Kronstadt after a sin Asks the Lord to nail the sin you just committed to His Cross. To Christ A few seconds
- After sinning Prayer of the tax collector The plea Jesus praised: “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” A few seconds Jesus Christ
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For bitterness Prayer of St Dorotheos When an old hurt will not heal: pray for the one who caused it. A few seconds -
For laziness Behold the Bridegroom Calls your soul to wake up and be ready when Christ comes. Under a minute - For laziness Stir up, we beseech Thee Asks God to stir up the wills of His people. A few seconds
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For self-control St John of Kronstadt’s prayer against gluttony A prayer against overeating that calls Christ our sweetest Food. To Christ Under a minute -
For shame and regret Prayer of the prodigal son The words a son rehearsed on his way home, in Jesus’s parable. A few seconds Jesus Christ - For shame and regret Prayer of St Thais The one line St Thais prayed for three years as she repented. A few seconds
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To forgive someone Father, forgive them Jesus’s prayer from the cross for those who crucified Him. A few seconds Jesus Christ - To forgive someone Prayer of St Tikhon for those who wrong us Three words to say for someone who has just hurt you. A few seconds
Life’s big moments
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For baptism and godparents Prayer for a godchild A godparent’s prayer that a godchild’s faith grows like a seed. To Christ Under a minute - For baptism and godparents As many as have been baptized The baptism hymn from St Paul: the baptized have put on Christ. To Christ A few seconds St Paul
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For an engagement and a wedding Prayer for an engaged couple Asks God, Who blessed Isaac and Rebecca, to bless an engaged couple. Under a minute - For an engagement and a wedding Wedding blessing The last blessing of an Orthodox wedding: long life, children, faith. To the Holy Trinity About half a minute
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For finding a spouse Troparion for a future spouse A short hymn asking God for a husband or wife after your own heart. A few seconds -
For new beginnings Prayer of St Arsenius Three lines asking God for the grace to begin again. A few seconds - For new beginnings Troparion of the Church New Year The Church’s new year hymn: bless the crown of the year, O Lord. About 20 seconds
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When hoping for a child Hannah’s prayer for a child The vow Hannah made in tears when she longed for a child. About 20 seconds - When hoping for a child Have mercy on our barrenness St Ephrem’s words for childless wives holding the infant Christ. To Christ A few seconds St Ephrem the Syrian
To grow closer to God
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For humility and patience Lord, give me patience Patience in a struggle that keeps coming back, from a desert monk. A few seconds St John the Dwarf -
For joy May the God of hope fill you St Paul’s blessing for joy, peace and overflowing hope. A few seconds St Paul -
For strength and courage Nehemiah’s prayer for strength A short prayer for when people try to scare you into giving up. A few seconds - For strength and courage Prayer of St John of Kronstadt Calls on God by five names, Strength among them. About 20 seconds
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For trust and surrender Prayer in Gethsemane Accepts the Father’s will in Christ’s own words. A few seconds Jesus Christ -
For wisdom and guidance Prayer for discernment Asks to see what pleases God and what is good for you, and do it. Under a minute - In times of doubt Lord, I believe; help my unbelief A father’s cry to Jesus for his sick son: “Help my unbelief.” To Christ A few seconds The father of a sick boy in Mark’s Gospel
- In times of doubt Increase our faith The apostles’ prayer to Jesus: “Increase our faith!” To Christ A few seconds The apostles, in Luke’s Gospel
- In times of doubt Lord, to whom shall we go? Peter’s answer when many disciples walked away from Jesus. To Christ A few seconds St Peter
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To love others Prayer to love your neighbour Asks to love every neighbour as yourself and never to grow angry. Under a minute St John of Kronstadt - To love others Troparion for love A short hymn: bind us to Christ, and to one another, in love. To Christ A few seconds
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When God feels far Swift and steady comfort Asks Jesus to come near and stay, as He stayed with His apostles. To Christ About 30 seconds St Romanos the Melodist
Communion, feasts and fasts
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After Communion We have seen the true Light A hymn of Pentecost, sung after Communion at the Liturgy. To the Holy Trinity About 10 seconds - After Communion Let our mouths be filled Sung after Communion: praise, and a plea to stay holy all day. About 15 seconds
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At Christmas Glory to God in the highest The angels’ song on the night Christ was born. A few seconds The angels at Bethlehem -
At Pascha Christ is risen The Easter hymn: Christ is risen, trampling down death by death. A few seconds - At Pascha Let us embrace one another The Easter hymn that calls even those who hate us “brothers”. To Christ About 20 seconds
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Before Communion Of Your mystical supper Not Judas’s kiss but the thief’s cry, said just before Communion. To Christ About 15 seconds - Before Communion You have captivated me with longing A short hymn of love and joy, said just before Communion. To Christ About 15 seconds St John of Damascus
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Before confession Prayer for forgotten sins (St Barsanuphius) Asks God to forgive the sins you can no longer remember. A few seconds - Before confession Open to me the doors of repentance Asks God to open the doors of repentance and wash you clean. About 20 seconds
- For Lent and fasting Kontakion of Forgiveness Sunday Asks the Guide to wisdom for understanding and for words. To Christ About 20 seconds
- For Lent and fasting O Lord of hosts, be with us A short cry from Lent’s evening service: we have no other helper. A few seconds
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For Lent and fasting My soul, my soul, arise A Lenten wake-up call to your own soul, from the Great Canon. To Christ About 20 seconds St Romanos the Melodist - Communion, feasts and fasts Kontakion of the Ascension As He ascends, Christ promises to stay with those who love Him. To Christ About 20 seconds St Romanos the Melodist
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Communion, feasts and fasts O Lord, save Your people The short hymn of the Cross: save and guard Your people. To Christ About 15 seconds St Cosmas of Maiuma
For the wider world
56- For peace The collect for peace Asks the God of peace to keep us from fear of any enemy. About 15 seconds
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For the Church and priests Prayer for priests Asks God to save the bishops, the priests and your own priest. Under a minute - For the persecuted Prayer of St Stephen The first martyr’s dying prayer, even for the men who stoned him. To Christ A few seconds
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For the persecuted Kontakion of the Three Holy Youths A hymn to three young men who chose the furnace over an idol. To a saint About 20 seconds -
For the poor and hungry Prayer for all in need Asks God to free captives, feed the hungry and heal the sick. About 30 seconds - For the poor and hungry Prayer for giving alms Asks God to teach you to give gladly, and to receive the gift Himself. About 20 seconds St John of Kronstadt
4 prayers here are spoken to the saints and are hidden.