Prayer to John the Baptist will help you ask for help in everyday matters, about health, and get rid of doubts. The saint helps to heal, especially with head diseases, is a protector of children, saves from sins, such as drunkenness, and guides them on the true path. You can ask for a martyr both for yourself and for your loved ones. The Baptist has his own icon. It depicts John in simple clothes, stretching out his palms to the flock, offering to believe in the Lord, gain strength and hope for salvation from sins.
Life of John the Baptist
The life of Saint John the Baptist or John the Baptist is described in the Gospel. He was born into the family of priest Zechariah and Elizabeth in the city of Hebron. The elderly couple did not have a child. One day, the Archangel Gabriel informed Zechariah about the imminent birth of his son and ordered him to name him John. The archangel also predicted that John would preach the faith and notify people about the coming of Jesus Christ. Zechariah did not believe the words of the archangel and immediately became speechless until the birth of his son. John was born six months before Jesus. After the birth of Jesus Christ, the Magi announced to the people the good news about the appearance of a new king. King Herod gave the order to exterminate all the babies in order to kill Jesus. They came to Zechariah and demanded the baby, but the father did not give up his son and wife, for which he was killed within the walls of the temple where he conducted the service. Elizabeth and her son fled to the desert and lived in a cave for a long time. There she died. The youth John went into the Judean desert, led an ascetic life, and spent his days in prayer. At age 30, he returned to the city, where he preached and baptized residents in the Jordan.
Simple, very powerful sermons convinced people to believe in God. John prepared the people for the appearance of Jesus Christ, which is why he is called John the Baptist. When they met, John announced to the people the coming of the Son of God and baptized Jesus with his own hand. The painting “The Appearance of Christ to the People” is precisely about this event. For this, King Herod threw the Forerunner into prison. Herodias, Herod's concubine and his brother's wife, ordered her daughter Solomia to dance in front of the guests at the feast, as a reward to ask the king for John's head. In prison they cut off John's head and brought it to the palace on a platter. The head of the saint was buried on the Mount of Olives. The body was buried by the disciples in Sebastia. The right hand (cut off fingers) as holy relics are kept in the monastery. For his feat, John was canonized; he is the founder of the New Testament and the sacrament of baptism, the baptizer of Jesus.
Prayer to John the Baptist helps people find hope for a better future and a sinless life.
Superstitions
Church tradition does not support popular beliefs about John the Baptist. For example, belief in the magical abilities of a saint is considered incomprehensible. Some people are sure that one can pray to a saint to heal the head.
Others believe that on the day of honoring the beheading of a saint, one should not eat round food - cabbage, turnips, etc. It is not even allowed to hold round objects or a large dish in one’s hands, even to the point of refusing to place plates on the table. The Church considers these beliefs naive and devoid of truth.
Superstitious people are afraid to use knives and sharp objects on the day of remembrance of the Baptist. It is believed that the one holding the knife in his hand takes upon himself the sin of John's murderers. However, church tradition does not approve of such beliefs, as it considers them fictitious.
John the Baptist was sent by God to earth to cleanse lost souls and renew faith. He prepared the world for the coming of the Savior Jesus Christ. We should not forget about the greatness of the mission of the Baptist and celebrate the pagan holiday of Ivan Kupala on his Nativity. This is a great sin.
Prayer for peace of mind
Life shocks and worries about loved ones often overwhelm a person. How to find peace in your soul? How to come to terms with losses? Prayer to John the Baptist helps to calm the soul.
Baptist of Christ, preacher of repentance, do not despise me who repents, but copulating with the heavenly ones, pray to the Lady for me, unworthy, sad, weak and sad, fallen into many troubles, burdened by the stormy thoughts of my mind. Because I am a den of evil deeds, with no end to sinful customs, my mind is nailed down by earthly things.
What will I do? We don't know. And to whom shall I resort, that my soul may be saved? Only to you, Saint John, give the same name of grace, for you are before the Lord through the Mother of God greater than all those born, for you have been honored to touch the top of the King Christ, who takes away the sins of the world, the Lamb of God.
Pray for my sinful soul, so that from now on, in the first ten hours, I will bear a good burden and accept recompense with the last. To her, the Baptist of Christ, an honest Forerunner, an extreme Prophet, the first martyr in grace, a teacher of fasters and hermits, a teacher of purity and a close friend of Christ!
I pray to you, I come running to you: do not reject me from your intercession, but raise me up, cast down by many sins. Renew my soul with repentance, as with the second baptism, since you are the ruler of both: with baptism wash away the original sin, and with repentance cleanse every bad deed. Cleanse me, defiled by sins, and force me to enter, even if nothing bad enters, into the Kingdom of Heaven. Amen.
Prayer to John the Baptist for healing
To gain health and well-being, prayer to John the Baptist for healing helps. Prayer gives the mood to revive the body’s strength and resources and gives faith in recovery. The saint will definitely help you recover from a serious illness and restore your health.
Holy Forerunner and Baptist of Christ John! This preacher of repentance, do not despise us who repent, but pray to the Lord Christ for us, unworthy slaves, sad, weak, fallen into many sins. We fear death, but we are not sick of our sins and we do not care about the Kingdom of Heaven: but do not despise us, the Baptist of Christ, honorable Forerunner, born in pain of all, mentor of fasters and hermits, teacher of purity and neighbor of Christ.
We pray to you, we resort to you: do not reject us who ask for your intercession, renew our souls with repentance, which is the second baptism: by your intercession before the Lord, ask for the cleansing of our sins. Unworthy lips cry out to you, and a humble soul prays, a contrite heart sighs from the depths: stretch out your most pure right hand and protect us from enemies visible and invisible.
Hey, Lord Jesus Christ! Through the prayers of St. John Thy Baptist, and even more so of Thy Most Pure Mother, our Lady Theotokos, save us, Thy sinful servants who repent of our sins. For You are the God of the repentant, and in You, the Savior, we place our hope, glorifying Your Most Holy Name, with Your Originless Father, and with Your Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
What can an icon help with?
For many centuries, prayer books have asked John the Baptist:
- about a strong and happy marriage;
- about help in finding a job;
- about protection from the intrigues of colleagues and the machinations of an evil leader;
- about protection from lies and slander of enemies;
- about healing head diseases and other ailments;
- about healing thoughts;
- about choosing the right path in life.
Advice!
It is customary to give an icon of the Baptist to men who received the name John at birth or in the Sacrament of Baptism. The saint benefactors beekeepers and is considered their patron. Also, prayer in front of the icon protects against headaches.
“John the Baptist. Christmas". Temple of Veniamin of Petrograd, Moscow
Prayer to John the Baptist for children
Mother and father want the best for their children. It is fair for parents to want their children to live an easier and brighter life than they did. Problems between fathers and children do happen. Praying to John the Baptist for children will help you find a common language with your children, set them on the right path, achieve success in life, and protect them from all troubles and misfortunes.
Honest Forerunner to the Baptist of Christ, ultimate prophet, first martyr, mentor of fasters and hermits, teacher of purity and neighbor of Christ! I pray to you, and when you come running, do not reject me from your intercession, do not forsake me, who have fallen through many sins; renew my soul with repentance, like a second baptism; Cleanse me, the sins of the defiled, and compel me to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, even if nothing bad enters. Amen.
Prayer Rules
Prayer to John the Baptist is an important vocabulary for Orthodox people. It is in it that love for Christ, great faith and humility are contained, giving strength and hope for salvation to every person.
You should pray alone or with the whole family, with a lit lamp or candle. A family is a small church, so it is recommended to offer prayers on special days and before a festive feast.
What you need to know about prayer:
- How to Pray for God to Hear
- How to correctly read a prayer for Orthodox Christians
- Is there any point in turning to God?
Before starting the prayer, you should cross yourself, bow three times, and then:
- you need to read the prayer in a chant, and not hastily;
- to delve into every word spoken;
- When you get tired, you shouldn’t look at your watch, stand until the end of the prayer, and don’t stop reading.
Only those prayer books who are evil themselves and do not want to do good do not receive what they ask for. Perhaps they are asking God for evil desires, and if they are asking for good, then perhaps they are asking incorrectly. The Lord always gives His blessings, but if He refuses something, then it is for a time... Thus, the gift from Heaven becomes more precious for those who were diligent in prayer.
Important! A person can ask God for anything he wants. But the Lord gives him only what is useful and beneficial!
Prayer against drunkenness to Saint John the Baptist
Drunkenness is considered a great sin according to the canons of the Orthodox Church. A drinking person torments his family, sets the wrong example for the younger generation, and drinks away money and things from home. Prayer to John the Baptist against drunkenness. Start praying intensely to give up drunkenness, treat the patient.
Holy Forerunner and Baptist of Christ John! This preacher of repentance, do not despise us who repent, but pray to the Lord Christ for us, unworthy slaves, sad, weak, fallen into many sins. We fear death, but we are not sick of our sins and we do not care about the Kingdom of Heaven: but do not despise us, the Baptist of Christ, honorable Forerunner, born in pain of all, mentor of fasters and hermits, teacher of purity and neighbor of Christ. We pray to you, we resort to you: do not reject us who ask for your intercession, renew our souls with repentance, which is the second baptism: by your intercession before the Lord, ask for the cleansing of our sins. Unworthy lips cry out to you, and a humble soul prays, a contrite heart sighs from the depths: stretch out your most pure right hand and protect us from enemies visible and invisible. Hey, Lord Jesus Christ! Through the prayers of St. John Thy Baptist, and even more so of Thy Most Pure Mother, our Lady Theotokos, save us, Thy sinful servants who repent of our sins. For You are the God of the repentant, and in You, the Savior, we place our hope, glorifying Your Most Holy Name, with Your Originless Father, and with Your Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages.
Iconography
In the images, John the Baptist is depicted as a very thin man of middle age (approximately 32 years old). His Jewish-type face, dark from constant exposure to the sun, emphasizes the holiness and righteousness of the man. John's beard is medium-length, black, shaggy. The hair on the head is divided into strands. Clothes made of camel wool, tied up with a leather belt.
John's right hand is a blessing, and his left holds a scroll, which has the meaning of calling people to speedy repentance. On the man’s left shoulder there is a long Orthodox cross that looks like a staff. It means the imminent death on the Cross of the Creator of the World, Jesus Christ.
On the very first icon, painted in the 6th century, the saint was depicted alone, in full growth, in a hair shirt and with a scroll in his hand. At the top of the image, as well as on the left and right sides, there are medallions with the faces of the Mother of God and Jesus.
In the 11th century, icon painters created an image of John the Baptist, in which he is depicted bending towards Christ in prayer. He stands on the right side of the Savior. Later, icons were created where he is located on the left side of Christ.
In the 13th century, the image of the “Angel of the Desert” was painted, where the Baptist is depicted with wings. This image means that God the Father said that he was sending His Angel to earth so that he would clear the way for the Savior of the World.
