Prayers for a Time of Devastating Pestilence

Jesus Healing the Centurion's Servant — Jesus Healing the Centurion’s Servant

“Are any among you suffering? Let them pray. Are any cheerful? Let them sing praises! Are any among you sick? Let them call for the presbyters of the Church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the Name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will heal those who are sick and the Lord will raise them up. If they have committed sins, they will be forgiven. Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective!” (James 5: 13-16)

“Peace I leave with you! My peace I give to you! I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

These prayers are from a variety of Orthodox sources, with the last being a reader’s service especially intended for home use by families. They can teach us how to respond to the current time of trial not by fretting over the latest news, but by opening our hearts and minds to divine grace, and to the peace our Lord has offered us, through fervent prayer.

Another City: A Journal of Orthodox Culture

A PRAYER FOR PROTECTION FROM THE PANDEMIC

Vatopedi Monastery on Mt Athos

Lord Jesus Christ, our God, the chief physician of our souls and bodies, who for us became Man in order to heal the great trauma of man; You, who did not despise the incurable ten lepers, but, through Your saving grace, cleansed them; You, who, as God and Man, during Your presence on earth, helped and cured all the sick and suffering; You, who also gave relief and restored health to the paralytic, the blind, the heavily transgressed, the demoniacs and the easily drawn into both the flesh and the spirit, do favorably accept our plea and expel, through Your power, the deadly virus that bears the shape of a corona, causing phobias or even death to the ailing and innocent victims. And, if for our many transgressions, You allowed these tempters, we beseech You, as the benevolent one, to take it away from us and from the entire world. But, if for a test of our faith, You found it necessary to continue its presence, ease the distress of the ailing from this epidemic.

And, if through the evil works of Satan, or the negligence of careless humans, this virus was spread, smash its power, as omnipotent God.

Protect the youth and guard all those who became ill; cure the old from the cursed virus; and deliver us all from the stress of the heart; instead, grant us health, comfort, and broadness through the intercessions of Theotokos and all the saints. Amen.

A PRAYER TO THE MOTHER OF GOD DURING THIS TIME OF THE CORONAVIRUS (ACROD)

With the Blessing of Metropolitan Gregory (ACROD) March 31, 2020

Most-Holy Ever-Virgin Mary, Birthgiver of God: receive this heartfelt supplication from us, your unworthy servants. We run to you tearfully, O Sovereign Lady, as this dreadful illness spreads through the whole world. Listen to the much-afflicted sighs of your ailing people and grant healing of soul and body. As a loving Mother, cover your suffering children everywhere with your protecting veil. In times of despair, console the faint-hearted, strengthen the weak, and enlighten those with embittered hearts. Guide the minds and hands of our doctors and nurses, that they may serve as instruments of the all-powerful Physician, Christ our Savior. You are the strong intercessor for our city, our country, and the whole world, O Queen of All. Present our prayers before the throne of the King of Glory, your Son and our God, that He may be merciful towards us and grant His grace to those who honor you and bow before your holy icon with faith and love. O joy of the sorrowful and consolation of the afflicted, stretch out your hands which are full of health and cures, so that having quickly received your wondrous help, we may glorify the Life-giving and Undivided Trinity: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.

PRAYER DURING DEVASTATING PESTILENCE

His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia

O Lord our God, enter not into judgment with Thy servants, and compass us about with protection from the devastating pestilence stirred up against us. O kind-hearted Lord Who art inclined toward benevolence, have compassion on us, Thy humble and unworthy servants, who fall down before Thee with broken hearts and hope in Thy mercy.

For Thine it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

PRAYER OF PROTECTION FROM CORONAVIRUS

Bishop Alexis (Trader) of Bethesda

O God Almighty, Lord of heaven and earth, and of all creation visible and invisible, in Your ineffable goodness, look down upon Your people gathered in Your name. Be our helper and defender in this day of affliction. You know our weakness. You hear our cry in repentance and contrition of heart. O Lord who loves mankind deliver us from the impending threat of the corona virus. Send Your Angel to watch over us and protect us. Grant health and recovery to those suffering from this virus. Guide the hands of physicians, and preserve those who are healthy that we may continue to serve You in peace and glorify Your most honorable and majestic Name, of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

PRAYER FOR PROTECTION AGAINST A PANDEMIC

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Lord Jesus Christ our God, You Who created human beings with utter goodness, the healer of our souls and bodies, heed now the supplication of Your children, and save us from the impeding threat against the world. For this affliction has spread ferociously and the fear of death has surrounded us. Many have suffered and many have passed on to repose, and there is none to save us, except You, O Lord.

We know, Merciful Lord, that all this will cultivate our faith, as we implore you, crying out in utter repentance. Undo, O Lord, the dangerous effects of the virus and heal all people, as a most Gracious Lord. For those, who repose in peace, give rest in Your heavenly abode. Grant peace to the world, so that all people know that You are the Only God, and your faithful are not bound by death, but live forever.

For You are our hope and our whole life is in Your benevolent hands, and to You we give glory, as well as to the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

ORTHODOX PRAYER FOR DOCTORS AND NURSES

Orthodox Church in America

O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Lover of Mankind, Physician of our souls and bodies, who didst bear the pain of our infirmities, and by whose wounds we are healed; Who gave sight to the man born blind; Who straightened the woman who was bent over for 18 years; Who gave speech and sight to the mute demoniac; Who not only forgave the paralytic his sins, but healed him to walk; Who restored the withered hand of a troubled man; Who stopped the flow of blood of her who bled for 12 years; Who raised Jairus’ daughter to life; And brought the 4-day-dead Lazarus to life; And who heals every infirmity under the sun:

Do now, O Lord, grant Thy grace to all those who have labored and studied hour upon hour, to go into all the world, and also to heal by the talent Thou hast given to each of them. Strengthen them, by Thy strength, to fear no evil or disease. Enlighten them to do no evil by the works of their hands, and preserve them and those they serve in peace, for Thou art our God, and we know no other, and to Thee we ascribe glory together with Thy Father who is from everlasting, and Thy most Holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

READER’S SERVICE OF PRAYER FOR PROTECTION FROM THE CORONAVIRUS

Orthodox Church in America

(This service takes place in front of our Icon Corner)

Everyone: O God, cleanse me a sinner and have mercy on me! (3 times)

Reader: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

Everyone: Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3 times)

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

O most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for Thy name’s sake.

Lord, have mercy. (3 times)

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

Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Reader: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us.

Everyone: Amen. Lord, have mercy. (12 times)

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

Come, let us worship God, our King!
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ our King and our God!
Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, our King and our God!

Troparion (Tone 4):

Thou alone can help us, O Christ! Visit Thy suffering servants! Deliver them from sickness and affliction! Raise them up to sing Thy praise, O Lover of man, through the prayers of the Theotokos.

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

Kontakion (Tone 2)

O Savior, Thou healed the paralytic carried to Thee! Thou raised Peter’s motherin-law from her infirmities! Take pity on Thy servants! Heal their sicknesses and forgive all their sins! Thou hast borne our afflictions, O Mighty Lord. Thou hast carried all our sorrows, O Lover of man!

Litany of Fervent Supplication

Reader: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great goodness, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.