Rule of Prayer - St. Paisios Orthodox Mission

A Rule of Prayer
Persevere in pryaer, even in vigils of thanksgiving. —Epistle to Colossians, 4:2
Daily prayer is one of the foundational practices of Orthodox Christian life. Just as the body depends upon regular nourishment, so too the soul depends upon regular prayer. For this reason, Orthodox Christians have historically ordered their days around appointed times of prayer, thereby sanctifying the day through continual remembrance of God. Prayer is not reserved only for moments of crisis or strong emotion, but as a steady and enduring offering made before God each day.
Historically, a prayer rule was often a simple and manageable thing. In most times and places, Christians did not possess shelves of printed prayer books, but instead memorized a small collection of prayers and psalms which they repeated faithfully each day. The emphasis was not upon complexity, novelty, or length, but upon consistency and perseverance. The well-known Rule of Pachomius the Great is built around this notion of simple, repeatable prayers that can be memorized and faithfully maintained within the ordinary rhythm of daily life.
For this reason, Fr. Athanasios assigns the Rule of Pachomius the Great (found below) to the parishioners of St. Paisios Orthodox Mission, as a simple and sustainable foundation for daily prayer. The rule is intentionally straightforward and manageable, making it possible to memorize and faithfully maintain within the ordinary rhythm of life. Parishioners are encouraged to keep their prayers at a consistent time each day, most commonly upon rising from sleep, before preparing for sleep at night, or at another regular and disciplined time according to their circumstances. In this way, prayer gradually ceases to become merely an occasional activity and instead becomes woven into the very rhythm and fabric of daily Christian life.
The Rule of St. Pachomius the Great
THE BEGINNING
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Glory to You, our God, glory to You.
Heavenly King, comforter, Spirit of the Truth, who are everywhere present and fill all things, treasury of good things and giver of life, come and tabernacle in us, and cleanse us from every impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.*
THE TRISAGHION
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and to ages of ages. Amen.
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for the glory of Your name.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and to ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father who are in the heavens, sanctified be Your Name, Your kingdom come, Your will be as in heaven, so also on earth. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we too forgive our debtors, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (12x)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and to ages of ages. Amen.
Come, let us worship and fall down before the King, our God. Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, the King, our God. Come, let us worship and fall down before Christ Himself, the King, our God.
PSALM 50
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your great mercy, and according to the magnitude of your compassions blot out my transgression. More thoroughly wash me from my lawlessness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I do know my lawlessness, and my sin is ever before me. Against you only I have sinned and have done the evil before you, so that you are righteous in your words and conquer in your judging. For, behold, in iniquities I was conceived, and in sins my mother bore me. For, behold, you have loved truth, the unseen and hidden things of your wisdom you have shown me. You will sprinkle me with hyssop and I will be cleansed; you will wash me and I will be made whiter than snow. You will make me hear joy and gladness; the humbled bones will rejoice. Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions. Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right Spirit in my inward parts. Do not cast me away from your Face, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation, and make me steadfast with a governing Spirit. I will teach the lawless your ways, and the ungodly will turn around to you. Deliver me from bloods, O God, God of my salvation, and my tongue will rejoice in your righteousness. Lord, you will open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise. For if you had wanted a sacrifice, I would have given it; you will not be well-pleased in whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God is a shattered spirit; a shattered and humbled heart God with not despise. Do good, Lord, to Zion in your good pleasure and the walls of Jerusalem be rebuilt. Then you will be well-pleased in sacrifice of righteousness, offering and whole-burnt offerings. Then they will offer calves upon your altar.
THE SYMBOL OF FAITH
I believe in one God the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages, Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not made, of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven and sits at the fight hand of the Father. And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; of His kingdom there shall be no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke by the prophets. In one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins; I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.
THE JESUS PRAYER
O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner. (33 Times)
THE READING OF HOLY SCRIPTURE
The reading of the Holy Scriptures now takes place. The appointed passage should be read slowly, attentively, and with reverence, allowing the words to descend from the mind into the heart. It is often beneficial to remain for a few moments in silence afterward, reflecting upon the reading and considering how the Lord may be calling one to repentance, thanksgiving, obedience, or deeper faith through the sacred text.
INTERCESSIONS
At this time, personal intercessory prayers are offered for the living and the departed, for the needs of one’s family and parish, and for the salvation of the whole world. This is also an appropriate time to pray for enemies, the suffering, the sick, travelers, civil authorities, and all those entrusted to our care.
THE DISMISSAL
It is truly worthy to bless you, the Theotokos, the ever blessed and most pure and mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, incorruptibly you gave birth to God the Word. We magnify you, the true Theotokos. (prostration)
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever and to ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
Christ our true God, through the intercessions of his all-pure and all-blameless holy Mother, of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles, of the holy Paisios the Athonite, of the holy [your own patron saint and/or the saint of the day], of the holy and righteous ancestors of God, Ioakeim and Anna, and of all the saints, have mercy on and save us, as one who is good and loves mankind.
*During the 40 days of Holy Pascha, "O Heavenly King" is replaced with the Paschal Troparion (which is read three times): Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!"
Prayer FAQs
HOW DO I PRAY THE JESUS PRAYER?
The Jesus Prayer is commonly prayed using a prayer rope. Hold the prayer rope gently in the hand and pray one repetition of the prayer upon each knot: “O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The prayer should be said attentively and without haste, whether aloud or quietly within the heart. The purpose is not to “complete” a number as quickly as possible, but to cultivate repentance, stillness, and continual remembrance of Christ.
HOW DO I SELECT SCRIPTURE FOR DAILY READING?
Scripture for daily reading may be selected in several simple ways. Many Orthodox Christians follow the daily lectionary readings appointed by the Church, which may be found here: https://www.oca.org/readings. Others may choose to read steadily through foundational portions of Holy Scripture such as Genesis, the Psalms, the four Gospels, or the Epistles of Saint Paul. The goal is not speed or quantity, but faithful and continual immersion in the Word of God through attentive and prayerful reading.
HOW DO I MAKE A PROSTRATION?
A prostration is made by first standing reverently, then bowing down to the knees and placing the hands upon the ground before lowering the forehead to the floor. One then rises again to a standing position. Prostrations are traditionally accompanied by the sign of the cross and are made slowly and prayerfully, as an outward expression of humility, repentance, reverence, and worship before God.

A Rule of Prayer

The Rule of St. Pachomius the Great

Prayer FAQs