What prayers are read during Lent before Easter? A kind attitude towards our neighbors sometimes turns into the most unpleasant side for us: people-pleasing. In fact, as a rule, there is no good attitude here - there is one’s own weakness of character and dependence.

Lent, which begins immediately after the end of Maslenitsa week, is accompanied not only by strict abstinence from meat and even dairy foods, but also by prayer. Prayer during Lent - 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 icons in public, those who sin outside the church after the end of the service are pseudo-believers, hypocrites. Prayer lives in the soul, in the heart - next to God, and not in public, next to show. During the longest fast of Orthodoxy - Great Lent - believers read prayers every day, reread the Old and New Testament, attend worship services. For Orthodox Christians who abstain from rich food for forty days before Easter, there is a prayer by Ephraim the Syrian, said not only before meals, but also at other times of the day, starting from Sunday evening until Friday.

Orthodox prayer for every day during Lent

Saying prayer, believers turn to God, the holy saints, and the Most Holy Theotokos. On holidays, Orthodox Christians read joyful prayers, during Lent they ask the Almighty to grant them the strength to abstain from sins, and glorify the Lord God. The duration of prayers for each day varies depending on the person’s beliefs. For some, it is considered normal to pray for a long time in the morning, afternoon and evening; for others, a few minutes every day are enough for this; others pray exclusively at significant days before Easter and during 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 days of fasting, every day. It is also correct to say prayers of praise to the Lord, to pray to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit. The Tresagrine Prayer, also called the angelic song, is read three times. In it, believers turn to the Holy Trinity. Dedications to the Most Holy Trinity and a separate prayer glorifying the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us 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 due season, You open Your generous hand and fulfill every living 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 He is blessed forever and ever. Amen. (And cross food and drink)

Prayers after meals

We thank You, Christ our God, for You have filled us with Your earthly blessings; Do not deprive us of Your Heavenly Kingdom, but as You came in the midst of Your disciples, O Savior, give them peace, come to us and save us.

Orthodox prayer during the fast before Easter

Many believers admit that the sensations they experience during Lent before Easter are incomparable to anything else. 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 their sins. Fasting gives hope, defines the goal: Easter and the resurrection of Christ are ahead. 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 abstain from marital relations, later this strengthens the family, strengthens the love of husband and wife, and produces healthy offspring.

Examples of prayers before Easter during Lent

Great Lent, which begins the day after the end of Maslenitsa, lasts forty days. At this time, daily services are held in churches, and Orthodox Christians pray for salvation and forgiveness. In the first week of Lent, the Penitential Canon of St. Andrew of Crete is read. The indefatigable Psalter is read both for the peace and health of loved ones; Such prayers can be ordered in churches or read in person. The most famous of all pre-Easter prayers - Ephraim the Syrian - is read daily, except Saturday and Sunday. Our Father and prayers to the saints during the fast before Easter are read more often, spoken both silently and out loud.

Publican's Prayer

God, be merciful to 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, Son of God, through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother and all the saints, have mercy on us (show mercy to us). Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Heavenly King, Comforter, Soul of truth, Who is everywhere and fulfills everything, Treasure of good things and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us from all filth, and save, O Good One, our soul.

Trisagion
(angel song)

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.

Holy God, Holy Almighty, Holy Immortal, be merciful to us.

Christian prayer of Ephraim the Syrian during Lent

Among other prayers of Lent, the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian is better known than others and is said daily, with the exception of Sunday and Saturday. This prayer of repentance is read both at 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 to grant them patience, chastity and love.

When and how is the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian read during Lent?

You should start reading the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian on the evening of Forgiveness Resurrection before Lent. After asking for prayer, churchgoers bow and read the prayer “God, cleanse me, a sinner,” twelve times. In churches, the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian is read in Cheese week on Wednesday and Friday, on Holy Pentecost and on Holy Week, in the first three days. The last time during Lent this prayer is said on Great Wednesday, four days before Easter.

Prayer of Ephraim the Syrian

Lord and Master of my life,

Do not give me the spirit of idleness, despondency, covetousness and idle talk.

Grant the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to me, Your servant.

Hey, Lord, King!

Grant me to see my sins,

And don't judge my brother

For blessed art thou unto the ages of ages.

What prayer to read during Lent

Fasting and prayer enable the believer to change and give hope for change. A person is given the opportunity to become better if he wants to. General Orthodox prayer and the awareness that everyone is fasting Orthodox world gives you the feeling that you are not alone. By fasting and praying, a person cleanses not only his body, but also his soul and thoughts. During Lent, you need to read the Psalter and Akathist, asking for forgiveness from God and praising him. At home, believers can read any Christian prayers that are close to their soul.

Examples of Orthodox prayers during Lent

Unlike churches, where specific prayers are read for each day of fasting, in ordinary life believers can turn to God in their own words. There is no need to believe 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 zeal

Prayer of praise to the Lord God
(small doxology)

Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

Doxology to the Most Holy Trinity

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Praise be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and always, and to endless ages. Amen.

Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity

Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse our sins; Master, forgive our iniquities; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy Name's sake.

Prayer during fasting before meals - Appeal to God

Lent is a time of abstinence from meat and dairy foods, renunciation of earthly pleasures, prayers and cleansing of the soul. For forty fast days prayers are said both before and after meals. The Lord is thanked for sending food in famous Orthodox prayers or in your own words.

Examples of fasting prayers before meals

Before meals, in many Christian families during Lent and on other days, it is customary to pray before meals, saying “Our Father” before eating food and thanking the Lord for the food sent. During fasting, prayers also ask to strengthen faith in God, granting strength to abstain and renounce animal food.

Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Your name Thy will be done as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer before eating food

The eyes of all trust in You, Lord, and You give them food in good season, You open Your generous hand and fulfill every animal’s good will.

Prayer after eating food

We thank Thee, Christ our God, for Thou hast filled us with Thy earthly blessings; Do not deprive us of Your heavenly Kingdom, but as You came among Your disciples, Savior, give them peace, come to us and save us.

(We thank You, Christ our God, that You have nourished us with Your earthly blessings; do not deprive us of Your Heavenly Kingdom).

Prayer in the post-mortem helps believers understand the strength of spirit granted through bodily abstinence and cleansing from sinful acts. When praying during Lent, Orthodox Christians 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 Lent before meals in your own words and with Christian prayers learned by heart. One of the most famous prayers - Ephraim the Syrian - is read both during Lent and on the last day of Maslenitsa week. While reading prayers during Lent, a person’s faith is strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Millions of active Christians live in cities. But noisy megacities inevitably leave their mark on the spiritual state of every person. Tired townspeople are immersed in the whirlpool of everyday worries: studying, working, endlessly rushing somewhere. The vast majority of believers and believers simply do not find the time to participate in all Lenten services. Everyday life and “workdays” remove you from good deeds, bright thoughts and self-improvement. In this case, is it not superfluous to have at least a remote idea of what the life of an ordinary Christian should be like during Lent? What prayers should you read at home before meals and every day before Easter? How does the fasting prayer to Ephraim the Syrian differ from other liturgical texts?

What prayer to read during Lent

Lent is a bright and joyful period of cleansing from sins and getting rid of all heavy thoughts and actions. During the fasting period, it is necessary to avoid heavy foods 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 the Holy Scriptures, reading prayers, and communicating with the Lord. You should devote at least two hours a day to such activities - an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. We must not forget about reading a prayer before meals during Lent. After all, even modest and unleavened 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 forgiveness of sins - the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian, to express gratitude for food during Lent - “We give thanks to Thee, Christ our God.”

Short Jesus Prayer for Lent

Whole 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 say the correct words every day during the morning and evening chants.

“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 emotions and desires.

Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian during Lent

The amazing prayer of Ephraim the Syrian is read during Lent every day from Sunday evening to Friday. The Lenten prayer, which belongs to one of the most important teachers of spiritual life, stands out from other church hymns. On first reading prayer text After each petition they bow to the ground. Then they read “God, cleanse me, a sinner” 12 times in their minds, accompanied by bows from the waist. And again a prayer St. Ephraim Sirina in Lent with one bow to the ground.

Text of Ephraim the Syrian's prayer for reading during Lent

Why did such a simple and short prayer occupy such a significant place in Lenten worship? Because it is in its texts that all the positive and negative elements of repentance and a list of individual human exploits aimed at combating sins are reflected in a special way: negligence, idleness, laziness, lust, idle talk, impatience, etc.

By reading the text of Efim the Sirin’s prayer for 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, covetousness and idle talk.
(Bow to the ground).
Grant me the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Your servant.
(Bow to the ground).
Hey, Lord the King,
grant me to see my sins and not condemn my brother,
for blessed art thou unto the ages of ages, amen.
(Bow to the ground).
God, cleanse me, a sinner,
(12 times and the same number of bows).
Then repeat the entire prayer):
Lord and Master of the belly……. forever and ever, amen.
(and one bow to the ground).”

A simple prayer for fasting every day

The period of strict Lent is difficult in itself: food is limited, habits are put on the back burner, and the usual course of a measured life radically changes its direction. IN daily schedule a lot of additional items appear, including choosing a special menu for the whole family, visiting a temple, distributing alms to the poor, etc. To get rid of the turmoil a little and feel moral peace, it is recommended to read in any free minute simple prayers in a post for every day.

Text of daily prayer to the Lord during Lent

There are dozens of different prayers for daily reading during Lent. Some are suitable for weekday worship. Others should be read on weekends or exclusively before meals. Among the abundance of Lenten prayers, it is easy to get lost. We offer you the text of a daily prayer to the Lord, optimally suited for all occasions during Lent.

God, my God!

Show me Your mercy

and teach me to love You more than my life,

for the eyes of faith will not see this world,

who desecrated my heart and took my life.

Grant me, Lord, the strength to love my life,

Which is You, my God,

and how unforgettable and straight are Your ways

before my face.

For Your ways are terrible to my heart, O God,

because this world is not in them;

my heart does not find affirmation in them,

because he neglected his faith.

I'm afraid of the fiery test,

and as someone alien to me, I fear him.

But when my time is up,

with what will I appear before the face of Your righteousness?

Prayer to read before meals during Lent

Oddly enough, during a period of strict food restriction, we think about food most of all. After all, without the issue of nutrition, you cannot begin or end Lent. This is the first component, not inferior in importance to works of mercy, intense prayer, or precise organization of one’s time. By denying ourselves prohibited foods, excessive gluttony, and expensive delicacies, we express love and gratitude to the Lord. But even this is not enough to comply full post. Read before every frugal meal thanksgiving prayers. Which ones exactly? Look further. Surely you have long been familiar with these prayers to read before meals during Lent.

Simple prayers to read before and after meals during Lent

Lent is not just food restrictions, but also hard spiritual work on oneself. Don't forget to read prayers often. At the same time, there is no need to transfer communication with the Lord to the level of monotonous muttering of mechanically memorized lines. A sincere prayer before meals during Lent can be expressed in your own words. If only the essence was clear to both man and the Almighty.

Lord Jesus Christ, our God, bless us with food and drink through the prayers of Thy Most Pure Mother and all Thy saints, as Blessed be unto the ages of ages. Amen (cross drink and food)

Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord have mercy (three times). Bless.

We thank Thee, Christ our God, for Thou hast filled us with Thy earthly blessings; do not deprive us of Your Heavenly Kingdom, but as you came as the mediator of Your disciples, Savior, give them peace, come to us and save us.

Christian prayer during the fast before Easter

Feast of the Holy Resurrection of Christ - the most important day for the entire Christian world. It is not surprising that on the eve of such a grandiose event, Christians pray with unprecedented inspiration. Anticipating the imminent resurrection of the Savior, both teenagers, adults, and old people try to cleanse themselves not only physically (by cleaning the house, yard, etc.), but also morally (by asking for forgiveness and praying for sinful acts). And Christian prayer during the fast before Easter is best suited for such purposes.

Text of Christian prayer to read before Easter in Lent

God, my God!

Give my heart ignorance of passions

and lift up my eye above the madness of the world,

From now on, make my life not to please them

and grant me pity for those who persecute me.

For Your joy is known in sorrows, my God,

and a straight soul will improve it,

her fate comes from Your face

and there is no diminishment of its bliss.

Lord, Jesus Christ, my God,

make my ways straight on earth.

Prayer during Lent - important element daily Lenten life of Christians, along with dietary restrictions and renunciation 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 in any free minute every day of Lent before Easter.

Great Lent is a period of abstinence from the usual pleasures to which an Orthodox Christian is accustomed. Among the pleasures Orthodox Church includes not only food, but also entertainment - spiritual and physical.

What is the point of the post?

If the meaning of this Christian tradition was only food restrictions, then fasting would be little different from a regular diet. It is believed that only in a state of bodily restraint does one become especially receptive to spiritual work on oneself, therefore fasting is a period of abstinence and repentance. And repentance is unthinkable without reading a prayer. What prayers should you read during Lent? The most famous Lenten prayers and prayer books are “For every request of the soul,” the penitential canon of St. Andrew of Crete. It is most famous and revered during Lent; it is read in all churches and in the homes of Christian believers throughout Lent.

Prayer reading during fasting

The famous Saint Theophan the Recluse said that a person is not complete without a body, just as prayer is not complete without, in turn, lies in what follows:

All these rules should be strictly observed during fasting, and, in addition, the volume of prayer readings during this period should be increased and special spiritual attention should be given to them.

The significance of the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian

The repentant prayer of Ephraim the Syrian consists of only three dozen words, but contains all the most important elements of repentance and indicates what the praying person should put the main efforts to. Thanks to this prayer, the believer determines for himself the path to deliverance from ailments that prevent him from getting closer to God.

In addition, this prayer is accessible and succinctly expresses the meaning and meaning of Lent. The prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian reflects the main commandments given by the Lord and helps in accessible form reflect on your attitude towards them. It is read by Orthodox Christians in their homes and churches at the end of every service during the Lenten period.

Who is Ephraim the Syrian

But it was not only the Lenten prayer of Ephraim the Syrian that made him a revered saint; this man is known as a church speaker, thinker and theologian. He was born in the 4th century in Mesopotamia, into a family of poor peasants. For a long time Ephraim did not believe in God, but by chance he became one of the best preachers of that time. According to legend, Ephraim was accused of stealing sheep and sent to prison. While in prison, he heard the voice of God, calling him to repent and believe in the Lord, after which he was acquitted by the court and released. This event turned the young man’s life upside down, forcing him to repent and retire to life away from people.

For a long time he led a hermit's life, and later became a disciple of the famous ascetic - Saint James, who lived in the surrounding mountains. Under his leadership, Ephraim preached sermons, taught children and helped at services. After the death of Saint James, the young man settled in a monastery near the city of Edessa. Ephraim persistently studied the Word of God, the works of great thinkers, holy elders, and scientists. Possessing the gift of teaching, he could convey this information to people in an accessible and convincing manner. Soon people began to come to him in need of his instructions. It is known that the pagans who attended Ephraim’s sermons converted to Christianity easily and confidently.

Veneration of the saint today

Today Ephraim the Syrian is called the father of the church, the teacher of repentance. All his works are imbued with the idea that repentance is the meaning and engine of the life of every Christian. Sincere repentance, combined with tears of repentance, according to the saint, completely destroys and washes away any human sin. The spiritual heritage of the saint includes thousands of works, but only a small part of them has been translated into Russian. The most famous are the prayers of Ephraim the Syrian during Lent, as well as his tearful prayers, prayers for different cases life and conversation about human free will.

The history of prayer

How Ephraim the Syrian created this prayer, no one can reliably tell. According to legend, one desert hermit saw angels holding in their hands a large scroll covered with inscriptions on both sides. The angels did not know to whom to give it, they stood in indecision, and then God’s voice came from heaven, “Only Ephraim, My chosen one.” The hermit brought Ephraim the Syrian to the angels, they gave him a scroll and ordered him to swallow it. Then a miracle happened: Ephraim spread the words from the scroll like a wondrous vine. So the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian during Lent became known to everyone Orthodox Christian. This prayer stands out among all other Lenten hymns; it is read more often than others in church, and most often it is during this prayer that the entire church kneels before God.

Prayer text

The prayer of Ephraim the Syrian, the text of which is presented in this article, is easy to remember and read, despite the presence

Lord and Master of my life!
Spirit of idleness, despondency, covetousness
and don’t give me idle talk.
The spirit of chastity, humility,
Grant me, Your servant, patience and love.
Yes, Lord the King, grant me my vision
sins and not condemn my brother,for blessed art thou unto the ages of ages.

Amen.

This is the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian. The text of the prayer may not be understandable to all Christians due to the presence of Church Slavonic words, and behind the modest petitions in this prayer there is hidden a meaning so deep that not every Christian manages to comprehend it from the first reading. For complete understanding, below is the interpretation of the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian.

Interpretation of the prayer

As can be seen from the text of the prayer, it is divided into two types of petitions: in some, the petitioner asks the Lord “not to give” - that is, to free him from shortcomings and sins, and in the other series of petitions, the petitioner, on the contrary, asks the Lord to “give” him spiritual gifts. The interpretation of the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian has a deep spiritual meaning, let's consider the meaning of each of them.

Petitions for deliverance sound like this: “Do not give me the spirit of idleness, despondency, covetousness and idle talk.” Only through prayer is a person able to accomplish a feat and get rid of these sins.

Idleness

It would seem that idleness is not such a great sin compared to envy, murder and theft. However, it is the most sinful negative state of man. The translation of this word means emptiness and passivity of the soul. It is idleness that is the cause of a person’s sad powerlessness before spiritual work on himself. In addition, it invariably gives rise to despondency - the second terrible sin human soul.

Dejection

They say that idleness symbolizes the absence of light in a person’s soul, and despondency symbolizes the presence of darkness in it. Despair is the impregnation of the soul with lies regarding God, the world and people. The devil in the Gospel is called the father of lies, and therefore despondency is a terrible devilish obsession. In a state of despondency, a person distinguishes only the bad and evil around him; he is unable to see kindness and light in people. That is why the state of despondency is equivalent to the beginning of spiritual death and the decomposition of the human soul.

Inquisitiveness

The repentant prayer of Ephraim the Syrian also mentions such a state of soul as covetousness, which means a person’s desire for power and domination over other people. This desire is born out of despondency and idleness because, while remaining in them, a person breaks off his relationships with other people. Thus, he becomes internally lonely, and those around him turn for him only into a means of achieving his goals. The thirst for power is dictated by the desire to humiliate another person, to make him dependent on himself, his freedom is denied. They say that there is nothing more terrible in the world than such power - disfigured by the emptiness of the soul and its loneliness and despondency.

Celebration

The Lenten prayer of Ephraim the Syrian also mentions such a sin of the human soul as idle talk, that is, idle talk. The gift of speech was given to man by God, and therefore it can only be used with good intentions. The word used to commit evil, deceit, express hatred, impurity carries great sin. The Gospel says about this that at the Great Judgment, the soul will answer for every idle word spoken during life. Idle talk brings lies, temptation, hatred and corruption to people.

The prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian helps one to realize these sins and repent of them, because only by realizing one’s wrongness can a person move on to other petitions—positive ones. Such petitions sound like this in prayer: “Spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love... grant me to see my sins and not condemn my brother.”

Chastity

The meaning of this word is broad, and it means two basic concepts - “integrity” and “wisdom”. When a person asking the Lord for chastity for himself, it means that he is asking for knowledge, experience to see good, wisdom to lead a righteous life. The integrity of these petitions represents human wisdom and allows a person to resist evil, decay and departure from wisdom. By asking for chastity, a person dreams of returning to life in peace and harmony for the mind, body and soul.

Humility

Humility and humble wisdom are not the same concepts. And if humility can be interpreted as impersonal submission, then humility is humility that has nothing to do with self-abasement and contempt. A humble person rejoices in the comprehension revealed to him by God, in the depth of life that he discovers in humility. A humble, fallen person needs constant self-exaltation and self-affirmation. A humble person does not need pride, since he has nothing to hide from other people, that is why he is humble and does not rush to prove his importance to others and himself.

Patience

“All that remains is to endure” is not Christian patience. True Christian patience is manifested by the Lord, who believes each of us, trusts us and loves us. It is based on the belief that good always triumphs over evil, life conquers death in the Christian faith. It is this virtue that the supplicant asks for himself from the Lord when he speaks of patience.

Love

In fact, all prayer comes down to a request for love. Idleness, despondency, covetousness and idle talk are an obstacle to love; they are the ones who do not allow it into a person’s heart. And chastity, humility and patience are a kind of roots for the germination of love.

How to read a prayer correctly

When reading the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian, you should adhere to some rules:

Reading is performed on all days of Great Lent, except Saturday and Sunday.
If the prayer is read for the first time, then after each petition one should bow to the ground.
Subsequently, the church charter requires prostration three times during the reading of the prayer: before petitions for deliverance from illnesses, before petitions for gifts, and before the beginning of the third part of the prayer.
If the soul requires it, prayer can be performed outside of Lenten days.

What prayers are read during Lent?

In addition, believers read the same prayers that they say on ordinary days. When the prayer of Ephraim the Syrian is read, prayers from the Book of Hours and the Triodion are usually read, as well as the prayer book “For every request of the soul.”

Conclusion

The prayer of Ephraim the Syrian during Lent represents the quintessence of the spiritual requests of the person praying to God. She teaches him to love, enjoy life and helps him observe the fasting regime.

Starting March 11, 2019, Orthodox Christians begin their longest fast. Great Lent lasts 48 days, starting on Holy Monday and ending on the eve of Easter on Holy Saturday.

Duration of Lent

The church established a seven-week fast in memory of how Jesus Christ spent 40 days in the desert. 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, and forced him to retreat.

A believer, starting a multi-day fast, strives to cleanse his soul, fighting external and internal temptations. This behavior helps us understand what feat the Savior accomplished, struggling for 40 days with the passions of human nature, and to feel the weight of resisting temptations.

To the 40 days of Christ's Fast in the desert, the Church added Holy Week, in memory of the Lord's entry into Jerusalem, where the Savior suffered and suffered martyrdom. During Great Week, believers remember and experience the torment of Jesus, mourn on the day of his death in order to sincerely rejoice on the Bright Sunday of Christ.

Post Description

Great Lent is not only the longest, but also the strictest of all the fasts of the annual cycle. It involves a complete rejection of meat and dairy products. Fish and vegetable oil allowed to be consumed several times in 48 days. Last Holy Week The rules of fasting are close to complete abstinence from food. Details daily diet the church presents a fasting person at annual Orthodox calendars. Such calendars can be purchased at any church store.

To make it easier for people to endure Great Lent, it is preceded by Maslenitsa week. It's time festive feasts with an abundance of savory dishes. The body stores up required quantity animal proteins, and abstinence from meat and dairy products is much easier to tolerate.

For beginners, maintaining a multi-day fast can be very difficult. The clergy say that you should not exhaust yourself with fasting on the road, in illness or in motherhood. Nursing mothers, sick people, as well as those who need more on the go nutrients to maintain the body, therefore during such periods it is not only possible, but necessary to retreat from fasting.

Those who have just set out on the path of Christianity, first of all, need to understand that the time of fasting is not only the refusal of certain foods, it is abstinence from all sin, including alcohol, intimate relationships and slander.

The holy apostles and clergy unequivocally say that the time of fasting is a time for educating the spirit. “It’s not the sin that goes into the mouth, it’s the sin that comes out of the mouth” says biblical aphorism. This phrase contains deep meaning fasting. By deviating from the rules of eating Lenten food, a person does not sin in the eyes of the Lord, but when he curses and curses, offends his neighbors in word and deed, then his soul is denigrated by grave sin.

How to pray correctly during Lent?

Withstand Lent on all church canons hard. Prayer helps strengthen oneself in faith. During Lent, churches hold daily services to help parishioners pray. That is why during Lent you should strive to come to church as often as possible. The clergy will prompt and guide the believer who has accepted fasting. During the service, a person not only joins in the divine chants, but has the opportunity to communicate with like-minded people and feel that he is not alone in his faith. Communication with other believers increases the desire to endure the fast to the end according to all the rules.

Lay people who are unable to attend church can pray at home on their own or with the whole family. During Lent, daily morning and evening prayers are read, to which is added the well-known universal prayer of Ephraim the Syrian.

When choosing daily prayers, the fasting person must remember that on these days he only needs to ask the Lord to cleanse his soul from vices and strengthen him in faith. Petitions for love and prosperity are best left for holidays.

Prayers need to be read daily, and several times a day, especially when moments of temptation arise. Reading the Gospel helps to distract from bad thoughts. If you have children, have a Bible reading every night. By introducing a child to faith, parents themselves become one step closer to God, pleasing him with their actions.

No matter how long Lent is, it ends by Easter. Believers who were able to withstand it Orthodox laws, on the festive night of the Resurrection of the Lord they 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 pronounced during the Great Orthodox fasting. 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, covetousness and idle talk. Grant the spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love to Thy servant. To her, Lord, King, grant me to see my sins and not condemn my brother, for blessed are you forever and ever. Amen

Morning prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Lent precedes the Easter holiday - in 2019, Christians celebrate the Holy Resurrection of Christ on April 28.

The meaning of fasting is not just a refusal of meat and dairy foods, it is self-restraint, that is, voluntary refusal from everything that makes up a noticeable part of our earthly life. But first of all, in deep self-knowledge, repentance and the fight against passions.

Fasting gives you the opportunity to think about a lot and rethink a lot spiritually. This is the time when we can force ourselves to stop, interrupt the endless daily run, look into our own hearts and understand how far we are from God, from the ideal to which He calls us.

But fasting without prayer is not fasting, but simply a diet. During Lent, first of all, you need to take care of cleansing your soul and thoughts, and for this you need to pray daily at home and, if possible, attend church services throughout the seven weeks of Lent.

Prayer for Lent

You should devote more time to prayer during Lent than usual. You can read the usual morning and evening prayers or something else, for example, the Psalter, but during fasting you need to add one more to these prayers - the short and succinct prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian.

The prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian is one of the most often said during Lent.

“Lord and Master of my life, do not give me the Spirit of idleness, despondency, covetousness and idle talk. Grant me the Spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love, Thy servant. Yes, Lord the King, grant me to see my sins and not to condemn my brother, for blessed art thou forever and ever.”

The short lines of St. Ephraim's prayer capture the message of the path of spiritual improvement of man, in which people ask God for help in the fight against their vices - despondency, laziness, idle talk, condemnation of others. And they ask to crown them with the crown of all virtues - humility, patience and love.

Morning prayers

The publican's prayer: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." (Bow). According to the Gospel of Luke, this is the prayer of repentance that the publican said in the parable of the publican and the Pharisee. In this parable, Christ cited the publican’s prayer as an example of repentance and asking for God’s mercy.

Initial prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, prayers for the sake of Your Most Pure Mother and all the Saints, have mercy on us. Amen. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.”

Trisagion: “Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Read three times, with the sign of the cross and bow at the waist). Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.”

Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity: “Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse our sins; Master, forgive our iniquities; Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name’s sake. Lord, have mercy. (Three times) Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit , now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen."

The Lord's Prayer: “Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy will be done as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.” This prayer can be read at any time, including before meals and in the evening.

Evening prayers

Prayer to God the Father: “Eternal God and King of every creature, who has made me worthy even at this hour to shine, forgive me the sins I have committed this day in deed, word and thought, and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit And grant me, Lord, to pass through this sleep in peace, so that, rising from my humble bed, I may please Your most holy name all the days of my life, and trample down the enemies of the flesh and the incorporeal that fight me, and deliver me, Lord, from thoughts. vain things that defile me, and the lusts of the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages Amen.”

Prayer to the Holy Guardian Angel: “O Angel of Christ, my holy guardian and protector of my soul and body, forgive me all that I have sinned this day, and deliver me from every wickedness of the enemy against me, so that I may not anger my God in any sin; but pray for me, a sinner and unworthy servant, that you may show me the goodness of the mercy of the All-Holy Trinity and the Mother of my Lord Jesus Christ and all the saints, Amen.”

And right before going to bed you should say: “In Your hands, Lord Jesus Christ, my God, I commend my spirit: You bless me, You have mercy on me and grant me eternal life. Amen.”

About repentance

One of the greatest Saints, Venerable Macarius The Egyptian said, if you look deeper into yourself, then everyone with all your heart will have to say the words of prayer: “God, cleanse me, a sinner, for I have never (that is, never) done anything good before you.”

You can say prayers not only during worship services or at home - in the morning and in the evening. Lay people can pray at any time - when negative and sinful thoughts arise. Short prayer will allow you to spiritually cleanse yourself and tune into a positive mood.

God, my God! Give my heart ignorance of passions and lift my eye above the madness of the world, from now on make my life not to please them and grant me pity for those who persecute me. For Your joy in sorrows is known, my God, and a straight soul will receive it, but its fate comes from Your face and there is no diminishment of its bliss. Lord Jesus Christ, my God, make my ways straight on earth.

Priests advise reading all four Gospels on your own during Lent, since it is difficult to be a Christian without knowing Holy Scripture. It is recommended that you read Scripture every day, in a quiet environment where you can concentrate, and after reading reflect on what you read and consider how to relate the Scripture to your life.
The time of Lent is given specifically by the Church so that we can gather, concentrate and prepare for the Easter holidays.

The material was prepared based on open sources