Prayer to Saint John the Forerunner

Saint John, Forerunner and Baptizer of the Lord! The holy evangelist speaks of you, saying that you are a man sent by God to bear witness to the Light, that all might believe in that true Light which came into the world to enlighten every person. After you it was destined to come, but it was first before you, for it has existed from ages. About you, all‑glorious prophet, the Lord Himself testifies, saying that you are greater than all others. The Old Testament prophets foretold the Christ‑Messiah in words, and you pointed to Him with your hand and boldly proclaimed: “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes upon Himself the sins of the world.”

You are God's preacher of repentance, you baptized the penitent in the Jordan, you were honored to lay your hand upon the head of the King of God. You are the first martyr, the guide of hermits and desert dwellers, you are a teacher of purity, you are a close friend of Christ. Through you I pray to the Lord, turning to you: do not withhold your intercession before Him, that my soul may be restored by true repentance, humility, and turning to Jesus, as if by a second baptism, for you were a preacher of repentance and a baptizer. Together with me, obtain from the merciful and all‑good Creator the grace that I may receive His forgiveness of sins and may one day enter without hindrance the place where nothing impure, filthy, or abominable can enter—the Heavenly Kingdom. Amen.

Source: kyrios.org.ua