Prayers before and after the Divine Service

Prayers when entering the church

Merciful, open the doors for us, Blessed Theotokos, that trusting in You we may not perish, but be delivered by You from all evil, for You are the salvation of the Christian race.

I now enter the house of Your Holiness, O Lord, to worship Your Majesty and lift up my sincere prayer before Your holy Throne, Ruler of the world. Standing before You, Lord, I bring all the affairs of my life, and may You, with Your generous hand, bless my sincere labor and my good intentions, and guide me on a safe path, that my feet may not stumble. I thank You, Heavenly Father, for all the generous gifts that Your paternal hand bestows upon us. I glorify You, Creator and Lord of heaven and earth, as the Joy of our life, as the Light that enlightens our life, as the Lawgiver who leads our life onto the righteous way, as the Judge who will give to all according to their deeds, as the Benefactor who with a generous hand helps those who trust in You. May my prayer be pleasing to You, like fragrant incense, as a sincere offering of my heart to You, O Lord. And to You I raise glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Prayer before the beginning of the Divine Liturgy

Lord Jesus Christ, You are Generous and Merciful to all who turn to You. I pray to You: grant me, with sincerity, love, fear, and full attention until the end of this Divine Service, to pray to You with conscience and a sincere heart, Merciful God. Lord King, hear me, as I beseech You, and forgive me my sins, for You alone are Merciful, and I glorify You together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

Prayer before the reading of the Gospel

Illuminate in our hearts, Man‑loving Lord, the pure light of Your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our understanding to comprehend the Gospel of Your teaching. Grant us the fear of Your blessed Covenants, that having overcome all fleshly passions we may lead a spiritual life. May we think and act in all things as is pleasing to You. For You are the light of our souls and bodies, Christ God, and to You we raise glory together with Your Eternal Father, and the All‑Holy Good One, and Your Life‑giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Thanksgiving prayer after the completion of the Holy Liturgy

Thank you, my God, my Savior! With all my soul and body I glorify and praise You, that You have deigned to allow me, a sinner, to partake in offering Your Bloodless Sacrifice for our sins and in remembrance of Your earthly life, saving torments, the cross's death, the glorious Resurrection and Ascension to Heaven. I pray to You: wash, cleanse, and forgive all my sins, and grant me, throughout all the days of my life, to do Your Will and with a clean conscience bring thanks and prayers to You together with Your Eternal Father and the Most Holy, Good, and Life‑giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Preparation for Holy Communion

Lord Jesus Christ, King of unapproachable glory. Behold, I long to come to You now and receive Your Body and Blood in this Heavenly Mystery for Your honor and glory, for the good of my soul. I desire to receive You, for this is Your will and how You have ordained it. Therefore may Your Name be blessed forever! I wish to come to You like Mary Magdalene, to be delivered from the deceiver, and to embrace Your feet, my sole Good. I desire to come to You, to be joyfully united with You, that I may thereafter dwell in You, and You in me. And that nothing in life or death may ever separate me from You. Amen.

Prayer before communion

I believe, O Lord, and I confess that You truly are Christ, the Son of the living God, who came into the world of sinners to save, of whom I am the first. On this evening of Your secret mystery today, O Son of God, receive me, a communicant, for I will not reveal Your mysteries to Your enemies nor give You a kiss as Judas did, but as a robber I confess to You:
Remember me, O Lord, when You come in Your kingdom.
Remember me, O Ruler, when You come in Your kingdom.
Remember me, Holy One, when You come in Your kingdom.

May the communion of Your holy Mysteries be to me not for judgment or condemnation, but for healing of soul and body.
God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
God, cleanse my sins and have mercy on me.
I have sinned innumerably, O Lord, forgive me.

Source: kyrios.org.ua