The Ten Minute Morning Prayer Rule
For those who are beginning to pray regularly, or for those who have lapsed in prayer and need to begin again, the following is a possible (and doable) prayer rule.
Tips for Establishing a Regular Prayer Rule
The Jesus Prayer
“Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Other variations:
“Thank you, O Lord.”
“Lord, have mercy.”
“Lord, make haste to help me; Lord make speed to save me.”
“Come, Lord Jesus.”
“Lord, help me.”
God, be merciful to me, a sinner. (3 times)
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen
Glory to You, O God, glory to You!
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth; who are everywhere and fill all things; Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life; come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One!
Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us!
Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us!
Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us! Lord, cleanse us from our sins! Master, pardon our transgressions! Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your Name’s sake.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by 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 the evil one.
Lord have mercy. 12x
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship God, our King, O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God, O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself our King and our God.
Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and blameless in Your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Fill me with joy and gladness; let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, You God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of Your deliverance. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You have no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, You would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Do good to Zion in Your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, then will You delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.
If there is time, the Gospel reading for the day may be inserted here.
Intercessory Prayers
O Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who for the sake of Your eternal mercy and loving-kindness became man, and suffered crucifixion and death for the salvation of all; who ascended into heaven and sit at the right hand of the Father, where You hear the prayers of all who call upon You humbly and with their whole heart. Incline Your ear to me, Your unprofitable servant, who offers it as an odour of spiritual sacrifice for all Your people.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on Your Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, which you have purchased with Your precious Blood. Strengthen her, enlarge and multiply her, keep her in peace, and do not allow the gates of hell to prevail against her. Heal the schisms of the churches, grant unity among all jurisdictions, pacify the raging of the pagans, speedily undo and root out the growth of all heresies, bringing them to nothing by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our Queen, Governor-General, Prime Minister, Premier, all provincial and local governments, who answer before Your face for their responsibility in civil authority: and over those who serve in the armed forces. Grant them peace and continual victory over evil and unrighteousness in all places. May they provide peace so that Your holy Church and all Your people may live calm and ordered lives in Your sight, in true faith and prayer, with godly deeds.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy, upon the Orthodox Patriarchs and Metropolitans, especially our Metropolitan JONAH, Archbishops and Bishops, especially our Archbishop SERAPHIM, the Priests and Deacons, especially (insert name of priest or deacon here), and the whole order of the clergy of Your Church. By their holy prayers, forgive me my transgressions.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father/mother (insert name here). By his/her holy prayers, forgive me my transgressions.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my godparents/sponsors (insert name here). By their holy prayers, forgive me my transgressions.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my godchildren (insert name here). Grant them Your blessings both here and in the age to come.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my family (insert name here). Grant them Your blessings both here and in the age to come.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my friends (insert name here). Grant them Your blessings both here and in the age to come.
Save, O Lord and have mercy on the old and the young, the needy, the orphans, on all who in sickness or in sorrow, in distress or in affliction, in oppression and captivity, in prison or in confinement. Especially have mercy upon (insert names from bulletin prayer list here). Save them together with your servants who are under persecution for Your sake and for sake of the Orthodox faith, and by Your power grant them speedy relief, freedom and deliverance.
Save, O Lord and have mercy on all those who travel, on our brothers and sisters in Christ, and on all Orthodox Christians. Especially have mercy on the members of this holy community, (insert the names of Saint Aidan’s family here).
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on all those who wish me evil, deal unjustly with me and envy me, and do not let them perish through me, sinner.
Those who have gone astray from the Orthodox Church, dazzled by destroying heresies and divergent philosophies, unite once more to Your holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Amen.
The Prayer of Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow
O Lord, grant that I may greet the coming day in peace. Help me to rely upon Your holy will. In every hour of every day, reveal Your will to me. Bless my association with those who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me with peace of soul and the firm conviction that Your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all is sent by You. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering or embarrassing others. Grant me to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will. Teach me to pray. Pray Yourself within me. Amen.
The Dismissal
It is truly fitting to bless you, O Theotokos, Ever-Virgin and Most Pure and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim. Without defilement you gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify you!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy (3 times).
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, through the prayers of the most pure Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; of our father among the Saints Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne; of Saint (insert saint of the day or your personal patron); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna—have mercy on us and save us, for You are good and the Lover of mankind. Amen.
Tips for Establishing a Regular Prayer Rule
- Be realistic. What are you actually able to do every day? The Fathers teach us that it is better to be short and regular than to be lengthy and sporadic.
- Be regular by doing your rule directly before or after some other habitual activity, e.g. before or after brushing your teeth.
- Establish a place to pray: a quiet corner with a place to sit and stand, as well as some icons hung on the wall.
- Use a prayer rope to keep your body and mind focused on prayer.
- Establish a rule of prayer in the morning first, to set the spiritual tone of the day.
- If time does not present itself while you are at home, as a temporary measure, you may pray while traveling.
Part One: Quiet Prayer (Hesychia)
Five minutes before praying your formal rule, sit quietly, hands on your lap and head, and repeat the Jesus Prayer or a short similar prayer.The Jesus Prayer
“Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Other variations:
“Thank you, O Lord.”
“Lord, have mercy.”
“Lord, make haste to help me; Lord make speed to save me.”
“Come, Lord Jesus.”
“Lord, help me.”
Part Two: Formal Prayer
After your time of quiet prayer, stand, make three low bows saying the following:God, be merciful to me, a sinner. (3 times)
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen
Glory to You, O God, glory to You!
O Heavenly King, the Comforter, the Spirit of Truth; who are everywhere and fill all things; Treasury of blessings and Giver of Life; come and abide in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One!
Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us!
Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us!
Holy God! Holy Mighty! Holy Immortal! Have mercy on us!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us! Lord, cleanse us from our sins! Master, pardon our transgressions! Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Your Name’s sake.
Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy. Lord have mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed by 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 the evil one.
Lord have mercy. 12x
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship God, our King, O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God, O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself our King and our God.
Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and blameless in Your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Fill me with joy and gladness; let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, You God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of Your deliverance. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You have no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, You would not be pleased. The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. Do good to Zion in Your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, then will You delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.
If there is time, the Gospel reading for the day may be inserted here.
Intercessory Prayers
O Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who for the sake of Your eternal mercy and loving-kindness became man, and suffered crucifixion and death for the salvation of all; who ascended into heaven and sit at the right hand of the Father, where You hear the prayers of all who call upon You humbly and with their whole heart. Incline Your ear to me, Your unprofitable servant, who offers it as an odour of spiritual sacrifice for all Your people.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on Your Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, which you have purchased with Your precious Blood. Strengthen her, enlarge and multiply her, keep her in peace, and do not allow the gates of hell to prevail against her. Heal the schisms of the churches, grant unity among all jurisdictions, pacify the raging of the pagans, speedily undo and root out the growth of all heresies, bringing them to nothing by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on our Queen, Governor-General, Prime Minister, Premier, all provincial and local governments, who answer before Your face for their responsibility in civil authority: and over those who serve in the armed forces. Grant them peace and continual victory over evil and unrighteousness in all places. May they provide peace so that Your holy Church and all Your people may live calm and ordered lives in Your sight, in true faith and prayer, with godly deeds.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy, upon the Orthodox Patriarchs and Metropolitans, especially our Metropolitan JONAH, Archbishops and Bishops, especially our Archbishop SERAPHIM, the Priests and Deacons, especially (insert name of priest or deacon here), and the whole order of the clergy of Your Church. By their holy prayers, forgive me my transgressions.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my spiritual father/mother (insert name here). By his/her holy prayers, forgive me my transgressions.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my godparents/sponsors (insert name here). By their holy prayers, forgive me my transgressions.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my godchildren (insert name here). Grant them Your blessings both here and in the age to come.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my family (insert name here). Grant them Your blessings both here and in the age to come.
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my friends (insert name here). Grant them Your blessings both here and in the age to come.
Save, O Lord and have mercy on the old and the young, the needy, the orphans, on all who in sickness or in sorrow, in distress or in affliction, in oppression and captivity, in prison or in confinement. Especially have mercy upon (insert names from bulletin prayer list here). Save them together with your servants who are under persecution for Your sake and for sake of the Orthodox faith, and by Your power grant them speedy relief, freedom and deliverance.
Save, O Lord and have mercy on all those who travel, on our brothers and sisters in Christ, and on all Orthodox Christians. Especially have mercy on the members of this holy community, (insert the names of Saint Aidan’s family here).
Save, O Lord, and have mercy on all those who wish me evil, deal unjustly with me and envy me, and do not let them perish through me, sinner.
Those who have gone astray from the Orthodox Church, dazzled by destroying heresies and divergent philosophies, unite once more to Your holy, catholic and apostolic Church. Amen.
The Prayer of Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow
O Lord, grant that I may greet the coming day in peace. Help me to rely upon Your holy will. In every hour of every day, reveal Your will to me. Bless my association with those who surround me. Teach me to treat all that comes to me with peace of soul and the firm conviction that Your will governs all. In all my deeds and words, guide my thoughts and feelings. In unforeseen events, let me not forget that all is sent by You. Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering or embarrassing others. Grant me to bear the fatigue of the coming day with all that it shall bring. Direct my will. Teach me to pray. Pray Yourself within me. Amen.
The Dismissal
It is truly fitting to bless you, O Theotokos, Ever-Virgin and Most Pure and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the Seraphim. Without defilement you gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify you!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord have mercy (3 times).
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, through the prayers of the most pure Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; of our father among the Saints Aidan, Bishop of Lindisfarne; of Saint (insert saint of the day or your personal patron); of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna—have mercy on us and save us, for You are good and the Lover of mankind. Amen.
Comments
Thanks for the prayer advice.
Terry Finley
http://psalm51ministry.blogspot.com/