Prayer for health
A special prayer for health - what is it? To find the answer to this question, it is necessary to understand the meaning of Orthodox prayer. It represents a sincere appeal to God, made with faith and humility, with awareness of one’s own sinfulness and repentance. But at the same time, with hope for the mercy of the Lord and admiration for His will.
Prayer for health
Prayer establishes a grace-filled connection between man and God. It helps us not only in saving the soul, but also in overcoming everyday difficulties. So, a special prayer for health is a request to God for strengthening health, for protection in our earthly life. Orthodox Christians can and should pray for health. The Holy Venerable Neil of Sinai instructed:
“In illnesses, before doctors and medicines, use prayer.”
At the same time, it is necessary to remember that illnesses are tests sent by God for our spiritual benefit. Or they are the consequences of our own sins. Therefore, you need to overcome them with humility and gratitude. Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk in his work “On True Christianity” notes:
“Although illness relaxes the body, it strengthens the soul... A person learns humility, patience, the memory of death and from it fervent repentance, prayer, contempt for the world and worldly vanity... Illness preserves our spirit from the rottenness and corruption of sin and does not allow passions to arise in us.” .
Which Saints should I contact?
Which saints are asked to petition?
Very often they order a service about the work of the Lord, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Guardian Angel, Archangel Michael, Matrona of Moscow, Alexei the man of God.
Spyridon of Trimifuntsky can also order demand in a difficult financial situation and in order to find a decent job. You can send a note to several saints at once.
A prayer for help when you are looking for a good job, coming from the lips of a priest, has great power and can help change the situation in your favor.
Don’t forget to then order a prayer service of thanksgiving to the Lord and all the Saints to whom you made a request.
A special prayer for health - what is it?
Serious prayer - what is it? The word “extended” means the same as “doubled”, “strengthened”. An Orthodox Christian resorts to such prayer in specific life situations. So, it is customary to pray for a person’s health even if he is healthy. A special prayer for health is a special, intense request to God for the recovery of a sick person.
The adjective “extreme” does not mean that such prayer is more effective than ordinary prayer. It only indicates the diligent nature of the petition in a particular situation. Any prayer done with faith and repentance will bear fruit.
The church's special commemoration of Christians is performed by the priest during the Divine Liturgy. Notes with special requests are accepted in advance at the temple candle shop. It should be remembered that any church commemoration is possible only in relation to baptized Orthodox Christians.
Notes with petitions are transferred to the altar to the priest. He performs his first special commemoration at the proskomedia (Greek “offering”). This is the name of the first part of the liturgy. At this time, the priest, remembering the members of the Church, prepares the basis for the Eucharist from bread and wine. Later, a fervent prayer request for Christians is repeated in the middle of the liturgy, at the special litany.
The word “litany” is translated from Greek as “lingering” (prayer). In worship, this is the name given to the sequence of various prayer addresses. They are pronounced by a deacon (or priest) with the participation of the choir. Based on content and duration, they distinguish between great, intense, petitionary and small litanies. In the special litany, each petition is accompanied by a threefold exclamation of the choir (and everyone present in the church) “Lord, have mercy.”
Prayer service with blessing of water
When ordering a service with the blessing of water with the names of your loved ones, you must attend the service, and at the end take water home.
Most often ordered for the occasion:
You can order it for the Saint whose name you bear on your name day. If you couldn’t do it on this day, then on another, then you need to find out which Saint will help in your need.
During the service, a small blessing of water is carried out. You can take this water home, drink it on an empty stomach, you can sprinkle it on your apartment, house, or garden plot.
If a lot of water has been blessed, then other believers can also take it home. Many temples have containers with blessed water that you can take home.
Dear friends, you have learned a lot about how to order a prayer service correctly. We tried to answer many questions. Now you can order a very important service in the temple for all your everyday needs and receive help from the Lord and the Saints.
Source
How else can you pray for health?
A special prayer for health is also performed in private worship (at a prayer service) and individually at home. Christians pray for health by independently reading the canon or prayers for the sick.
You can pray to the Lord, the Mother of God, angels, and saints for health. However, traditionally, in such a need, people often turn to healers and doctors glorified as saints. Among them, for example, are the Great Martyr Panteleimon, who lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries, and the outstanding scientist-surgeon of the 20th century, Saint Luke of Crimea.
Blessed Matrona of Moscow, who lived in the 20th century, is also revered as the patroness of the sick. She suffered from several serious illnesses (blindness, paralysis of the legs). But at the same time she showed Christians the greatest example of humility in the face of illness. They traditionally pray to the Mother of God for health in front of Her “Healer” icon, painted in honor of the miraculous recovery of one of the Moscow clergy of the 18th century.
Finally, a serious prayer for health is often expressed in a prayer by agreement. This is the name given to the reading of a prayer rule performed by a group of Orthodox Christians by agreement at the same time. The basis for this type of prayer is considered to be the Gospel words:
“Truly I also say to you that if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven, for where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20).
Usually, by agreement, chapters of the Psalms or Gospels are read. A special “prayer by agreement” is added to them, and then a specific petition to God is formulated. In our case, this is a request for the healing of a sick person. It is recommended to pray in this way with the blessing of the priest.
Answers on questions
Where do I need to order? In any church, any monastery and online.
How much should I order? You can order it in several churches, but the one who ordered the request must himself be present at the service.
How much does it cost? Many churches do not have a set amount. Each Christian himself makes a donation to the needs of the church.
How often can I order a prayer service? As much as your heart desires. There are no restrictions.
Alexey Ilyich Osipov, a professor at the Moscow Theological Academy, talks about how to light candles, order prayers and services in an Orthodox church.
Sanctification of soul and body in illness
A sick person especially needs sanctification of soul and body, that is, participation in the Church Sacraments. First of all, this is Unction (Blessing of Unction), Confession and Communion. Unction consists of anointing the sick person with consecrated oil (oil), as well as invoking Divine grace. It transforms a person, helping him to cleanse himself of spiritual and physical defilement. The Sacrament of Unction is rooted in the Gospel tradition:
“If any of you is sick, let him call the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will heal the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him” (James 5:14-15).
In the Sacrament of Confession, a person expresses before God sincere repentance for his sins and a firm intention to work for the salvation of his soul. In this case, the priest acts as a witness, a mediator. The Lord forgives the repentant sinner and gives him strength to fight sin. St. Ephraim the Syrian teaches:
“Confession of sins serves to destroy sins. God wants to hear from us our sins not because he does not know them; on the contrary, He wants us, through confession, to come to the consciousness of our falls” (“Creations”).
Eucharist (Communion) is communion with the Lord, filling a person with Christ through eating His Body and Blood (in the form of bread and wine):
“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him” (John 6:56).
Through Communion, fallen human nature is healed from the fatal disease of sin. This is the restoration of our pristine nature and kindling in it the fire of Divine love. The prayer for Communion directly states that it is performed “for the healing of soul and body.”
Church Sacraments do not always lead to complete deliverance from bodily illnesses. After all, their main goal is incomparably more important - the union of man with God. At the same time, a soul nourished by His grace will certainly gain strength to endure illness and a humble understanding of the benefits of illness for the purification of the soul.
What to do after ordering a litany?
It is important for a believer to feel his participation in prayer, to express zeal, to join in the reading spiritually. If you do nothing, then anxiety begins to consume your soul, followed by doubts.
Church leaders often advise parishioners to do the following:
- cleanse and consecrate your own home;
- reflect on everyday actions, emotions and compliance with their commandments;
- remember the departed by placing a candle in front of the icon;
- confess;
- visit the temple.
These are quite simple actions that can fill a person’s heart with confidence, peace and tranquility.
Prayers for health
Prayer for the healing of the sick
O Most Merciful God, Father, Son and Holy Soul, worshiped and glorified in the Undivided Trinity, look graciously upon Thy servant (name), who is overcome by illness; forgive him all his sins; give him healing from his illness; restore his health and bodily strength; Give him a long and prosperous life, Your peaceful and worldly blessings, so that together with us he brings grateful prayers to You, our All-Bountiful God and Creator.
Most Holy Theotokos, through Your omnipotent intercession, help me to beg Your Son, my God, for the healing of God’s servant (name).
All saints and Angels of the Lord, pray to God for His sick servant (name). Amen.
Prayer to the Mother of God in front of her “Healer” icon
Accept, O All-Blessed and All-Powerful Lady Theotokos the Virgin, these prayers, brought to You with tears from us, Your unworthy servants, who send up the singing of Your celibate image with tenderness, as if You yourself are here and heed our prayer.
For every request you fulfill, you alleviate sorrows, you grant health to the weak, you heal the weakened and sick, you drive away demons from demons, you deliver the offended from troubles, you cleanse lepers and have mercy on little children: also, to the Lady Lady Theotokos, you free from bonds and prisons and all kinds of You heal manifold passions: for all things are possible through Your intercession to Your Son, Christ our God. O All-Singing Mother, Most Holy Theotokos!
Do not cease to pray for us, Your unworthy servants, who glorify You and honor You, and who worship Your Most Pure Image with tenderness, and who have irrevocable hope and undoubted faith in You, the Ever-Virgin, Most Glorious and Immaculate, now and ever and unto the ages of ages Amen.
Prayer by agreement
(read also about health)
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Thou hast declared with Thy most pure lips: “Amen, I say to you, that if two of you take counsel on earth about every thing, and if you ask for it, you will have it from My Father who is in Heaven: where are the two? or three gathered in My name, I am I in the midst of them.” Thy words are immutable, O Lord, Thy mercy is unconditional and Thy love for mankind has no end. For this reason, we pray to Thee: grant to us, Thy servants (names), who have agreed to ask Thee (request), the fulfillment of our request. But not as we want, but as You want. Thy will be done forever. Amen.
Prayer to the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon
Holy great martyr and healer Panteleimon, merciful imitator of God! Look with mercy and hear us, sinners, praying earnestly before your holy icon. Ask us from the Lord God, Who stands with the Angels in heaven, for the forgiveness of our sins and transgressions: heal the mental and physical illnesses of the servants of God, now remembered, those present here and all Orthodox Christians who flow to your intercession: for here we are, through our sins We are fiercely possessed by many ailments and are not imams of help and consolation: we resort to you, for you have given the grace to pray for us and heal every ailment and every illness; Grant therefore to all of us, through your holy prayers, health and well-being of souls and bodies, advancement of faith and piety, and everything necessary for temporary life and salvation, for, having been granted great and rich mercies by you, let us glorify you and the Giver of all good things, wondrous in the saints, God ours, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Prayer to Saint Luke of Crimea
O all-blessed confessor, holy saint, our Father Luke, great servant of Christ! With tenderness, we bend the knee of our hearts, and fall to the race of your honest and multi-healing relics, like the child of our father, we pray to you with all diligence: hear us sinners and bring our prayer to the merciful and philanthropic God, to whom you now stand in the joy of the saints and with the faces of an angel. We believe that you love us with the same love that you loved all your neighbors while you were on earth.
Ask Christ our God to establish in his holy Orthodox Church the spirit of right faith and piety: may he give to her shepherds holy zeal and care for the salvation of the people entrusted to them: to observe the right of the believer, to strengthen the weak and infirm in the faith, to instruct the ignorant, to reprove the contrary.
Give us all a gift that is useful to everyone, and everything that is useful for temporary life and eternal salvation. Strengthening our cities, fruitful lands, deliverance from famine and destruction. Comfort for those who are grieving, healing for those who are ill, return to the path of truth for those who have lost their way, blessing from a parent, education and teaching for a child in the Passion of the Lord, help and intercession for the orphaned and needy.
Grant us all your archpastoral and holy blessing, so that through you we will get rid of the wiles of the evil one and avoid all enmity and disorder, heresies and schisms. Grant us a godly way to cross the path of temporary life, set us on the path leading to the villages of the righteous, deliver us from airy ordeals and pray to the omnipotent God for us, so that in eternal life with you we may unceasingly glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, to Him belongs all glory, honor and hold two forever and ever. Amen.
Prayer to Blessed Matrona of Moscow
O blessed mother Matrono, hear and accept us now, sinners, praying to you, who in all your life has learned to receive and listen to all those who suffer and mourn, with faith and hope who resort to your intercession and help, giving quick help and miraculous healing to everyone; May your mercy not fail now for us, unworthy, restless in this busy world and nowhere finding consolation and compassion in spiritual sorrows and help in bodily illnesses: heal our illnesses, deliver us from the temptations and torment of the devil, who passionately fights, help us convey our everyday Cross, to bear all the hardships of life and not lose the image of God in it, to preserve the Orthodox faith until the end of our days, to have strong trust and hope in God and unfeigned love for others; help us, after departing from this life, to achieve the Kingdom of Heaven with all those who please God, glorifying the mercy and goodness of the Heavenly Father, glorified in the Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.
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Nothing will separate me from the love of Christ: not seductive promises of temporary benefits, not beatings, not wounds, not any other cruel torment.
What are special petitions and prayers?
“Whatever you ask in prayer in faith, you will receive” (Matthew 21:22)
- says our Lord and God Jesus Christ from the pages of the Gospel. Since ancient times, Christians have developed the practice of inviting clergy to join in prayer. Today we will tell you about the types of prayer requests and their importance in the life of a believer.
This is the name of a special prayer to God during the Divine Liturgy about the needs of a specific person. For example, your loved one became very ill or went on a long trip. You submit a note with your name to the temple for a “serious request” with a request to pray for someone who is sick or traveling. The note is passed to the altar, where the priest reads it at the proskomedia during prayer. Later, the deacon goes to the Royal Doors for a special litany and invites all believers in the church to join in prayer for the following petitions. A special petition has enormous power, because the entire Orthodox Church prays together: both saints and Christians living today.
The word “extended” means “doubled,” and litany is the general name for the priest’s petitions to God on behalf of all parishioners of the temple.
In special petitions they pray for spiritual and everyday needs.
You can submit a note for the Liturgy with a special request in the church shop of an Orthodox church. A note can only be submitted for baptized people. The Church prays for the unbaptized, heterodox, heterodox and atheists in a special way outside the Liturgy.
But in addition to special petitions at the Liturgy, there are also private services. In the Orthodox tradition, they are called prayers and are performed at the request of believers by a priest. A person has the opportunity to ask God for help in everyday matters, perhaps not related to the salvation of the soul.
Usually a prayer service is served in the morning after the Liturgy or in the afternoon, between services. The priest goes to the middle of the temple to the lectern with the icon and begins to read the opening prayers. The choir can help him in performing the prayer service, and the priest can also serve alone. After the opening prayers, a canon dedicated to God, the Most Holy Theotokos, saints or a significant Christian event is read. At the end of the reading, the priest reads out notes with the names submitted for the prayer service and sprinkles all those praying with holy water.
And there is one very important detail here. When we prayerfully call upon the saints, we are not asking them to help. We ask them to pray to God for us, and through their prayers He helps us. We do not ask: “Holy physician Panteleimon, heal us.” We refer to it with different words. “Pray to God for us” - these are the words of prayers and akathists addressed to the saints. Please note that it is not “save us”, but “pray to God for us.” And the Lord, through the prayers of this or that saint, helps us.
Most often, people pray for healing, finding a job, success in school and business, resolving legal disputes, or clarifying a difficult life situation. The prayer service can be considered an additional prayer, but not at all secondary. A Christian is called to pray unceasingly, and this also applies to his urgent requests.
A sincere request with faith is fulfilled quickly and acts contrary to all laws of human logic. There are cases when people recovered from a serious illness or their lives changed dramatically.
A wonderful story happened to Kiev resident Nina several years ago. The woman fell ill with cancer and underwent severe treatment with chemotherapy. She had to take hormones. Nina began attending services at the Kiev Pechersk Lavra. Many priests were imbued with the sick woman’s grief and commemorated the woman at prayer services every Tuesday and Thursday. Nina began to live church life and participate in the sacraments. Three years after the painful treatment, doctors were surprised to make a diagnosis: completely healthy. Since then, Nina has become a permanent parishioner of the Lavra. She is convinced that the Lord returned her health.
Mikhail (name changed) spent more than one term in prison. He suffered from the disease of drunkenness. Mikhail's marriage broke up. In prison, he came to faith and, upon release, persuaded his wife and daughter to spend several weeks with him in a monastery. The man attended all the services, and at prayer services the Mother of God asked her to arrange his unlucky life. Circumstances changed before our eyes: the craving for alcohol and cigarettes disappeared, and the man was reunited with his family. Today Mikhail is the father of 4 children and an exemplary teetotaler family man.
You can pray to God for any good request. Here are some of them:
About love and successful marriage
- people ask for this when problems arise in the family or difficulties in choosing a life partner. Usually they pray to the Mother of God, Matrona of Moscow, Nicholas the Wonderworker, Peter and Fevronia for love and a successful marriage.
About academic success
- usually, in front of the icon of the Mother of God “Addition of Mind”, to Sergius of Radonezh and Tatiana of Rome, parents pray for their children’s good studies, for the successful passing of entrance examinations and for admission to a university.
About help in solving financial problems and finding a job
— You can also order prayer services in situations where problems with income have arisen or a person has completely lost his job and cannot find a new one. In such cases, they pray to the Lord, Nicholas the Wonderworker and Spyridon of Trimifuntsky.
About the welfare of children
— believers order such prayers when children or grandchildren begin to have problems in life. Parents turn to the Lord, the Mother of God and Matrona of Moscow.
About forgiveness of the sin of abortion
— medicine does not call abortion infanticide and does not warn about its sad spiritual and physical consequences for a woman. People who have repented of their deeds can ask God for forgiveness and pray to the Lord, the Mother of God and Xenia of St. Petersburg.
— believers usually ask God for help before starting a new business, a big project, and in solving current issues when difficulties or obstacles arise. In such cases, prayer services are ordered for Matrona of Moscow, Nicholas the Wonderworker and Sergius of Radonezh.
About healing from illnesses
— most often a person remembers God during illness and turns to Him for help in recovery. Healings from illnesses are the most common miracles of the Lord, performed through the prayers of believers. During illnesses, people pray to the Mother of God, Matrona of Moscow, Luke (Voino-Yasenetsky) and the healer Panteleimon.
