THE PRAYER OF THE HUSBAND AND WIFE
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, our Sweet Savior, Who taught us to pray always for each other, so that by thus fulfilling the holy law we will be made worthy of Thy mercy: look down with compassion on our married life and keep from all perilous falls, from enemies both visible and invisible, my husband/wife whom Thou hast granted me, that we may pass our time together until the end with oneness of mind. Grant him/her health, strength, and fullness of wisdom enlightened from above, so that he/she may be able to fulfill his/her duties all the days of this life according to Thy will and commandments. Protect and keep him/her from temptations, and may he/she be able to bear and conquer those temptations that come upon him/her. Strengthen him/her in right faith, strong hope, and perfect love, so that together we may do good deeds and that we may order all our life according to Thy divine ordinances and commandments. O Greatly-Merciful Lord, hear us who humbly pray to Thee, and send Thy divine blessing in truth on our married life and on all our good deeds, for it is Thine to hear and have mercy on us, O our God, and to Thee we ascribe glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
THE PRAYER OF HUSBAND AND WIFE FOR THE GIFT OF CHILDREN
Hear us, Merciful and Almighty Lord, that through our prayers you send us Your grace. Be merciful, O Lord, to our prayer, remember Thy law, that of the multiplication of the human race, and be merciful to us, the Protector, that the law given by Thy sake may be preserved. You, with the supreme power, have done nothing of all, and have set in motion all that exists in the world; You created man in Your image and with great Sacrament you sanctified the Marriage by embodying the Sacrament of the Union of Christ with the Church. Seek, Merciful one, to these servants who are united by the mystery of the marriage and ask for your help, to be fruitful and to see the sons of his sons, even to the third and fourth generation; and to reach the desired old age and enter into the kingdom of Heaven through our Lord Jesus Christ. To whom is all the glory, honor, and worship of the Holy Spirit forever. Amen.
THE PRAYER OF THE PARENTS FOR THEIR CHILDREN
O Lord our God, the One who by thy wisdom built the man of the peasant and breathed before him the breath of life, and, blessing him, said: Grow and multiply and fill the earth, – and at the Cana of Galilee, by One – Born Your Son, you have blessed the wedding and therefore the birth of sons, with great humility, pray for Your great goodness, that you will always reverse Your grace and have mercy on my children, whom you have given to me. Fill them with wisdom and understanding. Protect them from all the races of the seen and unseen enemies. Command your angels to always be their guides and guides to all good works, so that they may always praise and glorify you forever. Amen.
THE PRAYER OF THE CHILDREN FOR THEIR PARENTS
Lord, our God, You, who empower the flowers and greenery of the whole earth with the warmth of Your sun, and the human soul with the warmth of Your love, -You, the One whom you have all built by Your will in heaven and on earth and on you keep all of them through love and mercy, poured out, much-endured Lord, over my weak and humble soul that bows to You, Your goodness and Your gift, and love and mercy over my parents, my elders and all those who they work hard for me and they have always helped me with their advice and kindness. Make my soul a warm sun for their soul, that each of them may feel indecent about the manners and help that came from Thee and poured upon them through the prayers and through my fiendish love. I speak to you, Father, my son’s heart (daughter), and I know that You know us within us and that you will not return from my heart, so much as a gift to all those for whom I pray, -Give me, God, wisdom, that I may never forget, neither in grief, nor in distress nor in joy, your teaching, as “the blessings of the fathers strengthen the houses of the sons,” and again: “the wives of the elders are their sons, and the offspring of the sons are their parents.” For this, please, Lord, glorified emperor and good Father, strengthen me to grow before their face with the fear of You and the shame of people, because, by cleaning up all evil, by accomplishing any good, by running away from every sin and thirst for any virtue, may my life be for my salvation and theirs. That You are, Lord, the One who once said, “Let the children come to Me, that to some theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” and You placed Your gods over your heads and blessed them. Thou, Lord, Jesus Christ, send from thy most high heaven thy blessing upon me, thy servant, and help me to rejoice in my parents, and to walk in thy holy paths, only doing what is good and pleasing to thee, as blessed are you for ever and ever. Amen.
AKATHIST OF REPENTANCE FOR ONE WHO HAS ABORTED A CHILD
Kontakion 1
O Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world, hear my groaning and attend to the sorrows of my heart; take away my heavy burden of sin, O Thou who hast borne our infirmities; receive me who fall down before Thee in repentance, praying and crying out from the depth of my soul: O Lord, my Lord, my joy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Ikos 1
O God and Lord! The creation is Thine, but woe to me: The sin committed by Adam in paradise lives in me and in my body, and like a slave am I always fervently serving it, but now I entreat Thee:
Have mercy on me, O Creator of the world above.
Have mercy on me, O Maker of the world below.
Have mercy on me, O Master of the Heavenly Powers.
Have mercy on me, O Ruler of bodily creatures.
Have mercy on me, O Provider of all things.
Have mercy on me who bring Thee my tears for my sins.
O Lord, my Lord, my joy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Kontakion 2
O All-merciful Master, how can I, such an abominable sinner, dare to come to Thee with my prayer, after having broken Thy commandment which Thou gavest me through Thy prophet Moses: Thou shalt not kill. But I am a murderer, and alas a hundred times more cruel than even the serpent which at least allows its offspring to see the light for a short while before devouring them. But I, the wretched one have mercilessly deprived my children not only of the physical light but even more of the true Light, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who grants illumination through the Mystery of Baptism; and, to avoid having many children for the sake of temporal bodily rest, I slew them while they were still in my womb. Wherefore, darkened by these and countless other sins, I hope only in the mercy of Thy compassion and with boldness cry to Thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 2
I have disdained Thy words of life, O Lord, and have walked according to the desires of mine own heart from my youth up to this very day, but now in repentance I cry to Thee, O mine All-compassionate Savior:
Have mercy on me who was conceived in iniquities.
Have mercy on me who was born in sins.
Have mercy on me who have not kept Thy commandments.
Have mercy on me who have been deprived of Thy grace.
Have mercy on me who take no care for my salvation.
Have mercy on me who am caught in the net of the passions.
O Lord, my Lord, my joy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Kontakion 3
Good and beautiful it is for brethren to dwell together in unity and to love one another, as Thou didst command us, O our Savior, for he who is angry with his brother is a murderer. But I in my wrath have surpassed all those ever born on earth, even murderers whose victims of different ages and times were slain for various reasons; because I, the wretched one, deprived of life those who had only just received their time of life from Thee, the Giver of Life, and in my madness mercilessly took away their life while they were still in my womb, with no fear of God, and rejecting Thy will and the gift of childbearing blessed by Thee. I willfully pulled out of Thy creating hands my innocent children and was not ashamed to slay them before Thine eyes. But their lot is in Thy right Hand, O Lord, and my sin is ever before me. To Thee alone do I repent, and I pay Thee, O Good One, direct my steps on the path of penitence, so that with all repentant sinners I may sing to Thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 3
Thou who alone knowest human frailty knowest also all my sinful falls. Remember not the sins of my youth, and cleanse me from my secret sins as I cry to Thee:
Have mercy on me, a great sinner.
Have mercy on me, a transgressor of God’s law.
Have mercy on me, a violator of Thy testament.
Have mercy on me for with evil have I repaid Thee, O my Master.
Have mercy on me who come to Thee in repentance at the eleventh hour.
Have mercy on me, the wretched slayer of children.
O Lord, my Lord, my joy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Kontakion 4
O Giver of Life, Heavenly King, come and abide in me who am defiled by sins, and cleanse me from every impurity, and save my soul, O Good One, so that being saved I may cry to Thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 4
I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; O my God, seek me Thy servant, who from Thy commandments have gone astray into the impassible thicket of passions and self-will. Save me, the unworthy one, for lamenting I pray to Thee fervently and cry out:
Have mercy on me who am heavy-laden with self-willed sins.
Have mercy on me who am darkened by passions.
Have mercy on me who am carried away with pride.
Have mercy on me who am consumed by envy.
Have mercy on me who am filled with unrighteousness.
Have mercy on me, O Thou who desirest not the death of the sinner.
Have mercy on me, the intentional murderer of my children.
O Lord, my Lord, my joy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Kontakion 5
Wheresoever Thou wishest, O my Almighty God, there the order of nature is overcome; conquer the sinful nature which lives in me, and its power which drags me toward sin, for Thou art the Creator of all things and the Fashioner of nature. By Thy Divine grace renew a right spirit within me, cast me not away from Thy face, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Wipe away the deadly stamp of child-slayer which was deservedly placed upon my soul, placed by Thy just judgment in accordance with the sixth commandment of Thy law: Thou shalt not kill. Restore Thine eternal covenant to us, O Lord, which I have broken by my sins, and return my former virtues which were lost through sin, so that without hindrance I may cry out to Thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 5
Who has ever sinned as I the wretched one? What sin have I not committed? What evil has not been imagined in my soul? But with a penitent heart and tears I come to Thee, O All-compassionate Lord, crying out:
Have mercy on me Thine unfaithful servant.
Have mercy on me who am hardened in sins.
Have mercy on me who hate my neighbor.
Have mercy on me who offend in word and deed.
Have mercy on me who am defiled in soul and body.
Have mercy on me for my conscience is burned up.
Have mercy on me, a child-slayer like Herod.
O Lord, my Lord, my joy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Kontakion 6
With the rays of Thy grace, O Lord, illumine the vesture of my soul, O Giver of Light, and save me so that rejoicing I may sing to Thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 6
Great is the multitude of my transgressions, O Christ, and all my life is like a dark and gloomy night. But despairing not of Thy compassion, O my Savior, like David I cry to Thee:
Have mercy on me who have wasted all my life in laziness.
Have mercy on me who am negligent in prayer for my sins.
Have mercy on me who am ungrateful for Thy good inspirations to repent.
Have mercy on me who have not honored Thy law nor kept Thy commandments.
Have mercy on me, for I have loved the world and that which is in the world.
Have mercy on me, for I have spent the days of my life in worldly vanity.
Have mercy on me, who following the laws of this age and disdaining the childbearing blessed by Thee, have committed child-murder.
O Lord, my Lord, my joy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Kontakion 7
Unto Thee in heaven I lift up mine eyes, O Word of God, but my weak nature draws me down, O my Savior. O Creator of heaven and earth and of all that is in them! Raise me up in thought and deed toward that which is above, so that I may always victoriously sing to Thee with heart and lips: Alleluia.
Ikos 7
I have an eye that is evil and filled with every impurity, and am ever captivated by the delusion of this world, wherefore I entreat Thee, O All-good One, turn mine eyes away from seeing vanity, that I may call out to Thee in supplication:
Have mercy on me who am thirsting to serve Thee faithfully.
Have mercy on me who desire to worship Thee in spirit and in truth.
Have mercy on me who bring Thee the tears of my repentance as a sacrifice for my sins.
Have mercy on me who ask of Thee forgiveness for the slaying of my children.
Have mercy on me who look to Thee for deliverance from my passions.
Have mercy on me who am weeping intensely over my grievous mortal sins.
Have mercy on me, a murderer deserving judgment both Divine and human.
O Lord, my Lord, my joy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Kontakion 8
Spare me, O Lord my Savior, O Thou Who camest into the world to save sinners of whom I am worst of all, but I entreat Thee, O my All-compassionate God, incline Thy heart to mercy, hearken to the groanings of my heart, accept my flowing springs of tears, the fervent prayers of my soul, O my beloved Saviour, so that I may sing to Thee: Alleluia.
Ikos 8
Evil thoughts like robbers attacked me while my conscience slept – woe is me! For my sins I have been deprived of the radiant vesture given me at my Baptism. I committed the murder of my children and have remained stripped of virtue, but I try hard to raise mine eyes on high – cast down because of the multitude of the cruel deeds committed before Thee, O Lord – and I cry out thus to Thee:
Have mercy on me who have committed a mortal sin.
Have mercy on me who up till now have persisted in sins.
Have mercy on me who am filled with every kind of evil.
Have mercy on me who am stained with iniquities contrary to nature.
Have mercy on me who have not preserved the purity on my virginity.
Have mercy on me for I have deprived myself of pious motherhood.
Have mercy on me who have cast my children out of the womb before the fullness of their time.
O Lord, my Lord, my joy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Kontakion 9
Grant me streams of tears, O my God, that I may weep over my sins, and thus rejoicing may cry out: Alleluia.
Ikos 9
I have defiled my body with sinful secrets, I have darkened my soul with indecent acts; my body is enfeebled, enfeebled also is my soul. Falling down before Thee Who alone rememberest not wrongs, my merciful Judge and God, I pray Thee:
Have mercy on me, a murderer: for the remembrance of the fate of my aborted children brings me fear and trembling and unspeakable astonishment – how Thou, O merciful Lord and most righteous Judge, dost continue to endure me and do good to me, an inhabitant of hell, even up to this very day and hour, awaiting my repentance.
Have mercy on me who more than once have promised to amend, but again returned to sins as a dog to its vomit.
Have mercy on me who have committed a number of murders.
Have mercy on me for without the fear of God or maternal love for children but with the fury of a wild beast have I torn apart my children.
Have mercy on me for of mine own free will have I committed my sins.
Have mercy on me who have defiled my spirit with foul thoughts.
Have mercy on me for I have led a sinful life even to this very day.
O Lord, my Lord, my joy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Kontakion 10
I have been wounded by the seductive charm of this world and have bent my knees before it, having chosen the ruinous path of its disgusting law, having forgotten my Baptismal vows; and committing trespasses one after the other, doing whatever the world whispered to me, I ultimately reached the very peak of mortal sins: the murder of children. But, O Father, open to me Thine embrace, O my God, hasten, so that at least before my end I may offer Thee a sacrifice of praise, exclaiming: Alleluia.
Ikos 10
Robbers, murderers, thieves, and all unrepentant sinners shall not inherit the kingdom of God. And by every unrighteousness and all detestable sins have I defiled my body and soul; because of this misery of my soul, falling down before Thee I cry:
Have mercy on me who was born in the New Testament of Thy grace-filled Kingdom.
Have mercy on me who was received into the Church fashioned by Thee.
Have mercy on me who was sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Have mercy on me who was nourished by Thy most Pure Body and Thy Life-giving Blood.
Have mercy on me who was baptised in Christ and clothed in Christ.
Have mercy on me who cast away all these benefactions and chose a life of sin.
O Lord, my Lord, my joy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Kontakion 11
Grant me a spirit of chastity, O Lord and Master of my life, for from my youth have I been bereft of virtue, have I enslaved myself to passions: I have defiled my spirit and soul and have corrupted my body. O God of mercies and compassion! Disdain not to cleanse me, a detestable sinner – I am Thy creature, have mercy on me, and purify me from all defilement of flesh and spirit, and vouchsafe me to sing to Thee with boldness: Alleluia.
Ikos 11
Reject not, O Lord, the hope of my heart which trusts in Thee; and put me not to shame before angels and men at Thy Just and Dread Judgement. Judge me not then according to my deeds, but according to Thy mercy forgive all my sins as I cry to Thee:
Have mercy on me who have an unclean heart.
Have mercy on me who am taken captive by demonic captivity.
Have mercy on me who was born in sins, washed clean by Baptism, and again like a swine, have fallen into iniquity.
Have mercy on me who bear the fetid sores of my soul’s fall into sin.
Have mercy on me who from my grievous and mortal falls have fallen into despondency and despair.
Have mercy on me who have committed every sin and deserve every punishment.
Have mercy on me, O my Creator, and receive me in repentance who am fallen.
O Lord, my Lord, my joy, have mercy on me who am fallen.
Kontakion 12
With the breadth of Thy love, O my God, cover all the sins of my transgressions, accepting my repentance, so that in love for Thee I may ever cry: Alleluia.
Ikos 12
I have passed my youth in senselessness and wasted all my life in sins, in slothfulness and disregard of repentance; but mine old age, through fear of death and Thine inescapable Judgement, has brought me to repentance. Reject me not, O my Saviour, who even at the eleventh hour have come to Thy Fatherly embrace, crying out in repentance:
Have mercy on me, for the blood on mine innocent children cries to Thee, bearing witness to my having slain them.
Have mercy on me, O my God Triune in Nature; have mercy on me, O Lord Who art most wondrous in compassion.
Have mercy on me, O Master, Who art longsuffering concerning our transgressions.
Have mercy on me, O Holy King, Who healest our infirmities.
Have mercy on me, O Thou Who art abundant in love, Who with Thy love warmest even despairing sinners.
Have mercy on me, O Almighty, Who hast borne our infirmities.
O Lord, my Lord, my joy, have mercy on me, who am fallen.
Kontakion 13
The sign of the Son of Man, the Most Precious and Life-giving Cross, shall appear in the heavens on that day of the terrible Second Coming of the Son of God, the Judge of the living and the dead. Then shall all the tribes of the earth begin to weep. O Jesus Christ, our Savior and Judge, and King of all! Grant me before that day tears of repentance, that I may more fervently weep over my evil deeds and destructive actions by which I have befouled my soul and bitterly offended Thy Most Pure Blood of Thy Testament! So that thus, together with the angels and all the saints and righteous ones I may then sing to Thee: Alleluia. (Thrice.)
(And again, Ikos 1 and Kontakion 1)
First Prayer
O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God! Who out of Thy most great goodness, for the sake of us men and for our salvation, hast been clothed in flesh and been crucified and buried, and Who by Thy Blood has renewed our nature which had become corrupt: receive my repentance for my sins and hear my words: I have sinned, O Lord, against heaven and before Thee, in word and deed, in soul and body, and in the thoughts of my mind; I have transgressed Thy Commandments, I have not obeyed Thine injunction, I have angered Thy goodness, O my God; but because I am Thy creation I despair not of salvation and dare to draw near to Thy boundless compassion and pray to Thee: O Lord! Grant me in repentance a contrite heart, receive me as I pray and grant me a good thought; grant me the resolve to confess my sins, grant me tears of compunction, O Lord; grant me by Thy grace to make a good beginning. Have mercy on me, O God, Have mercy on me who am fallen, and remember me, Thy sinful servant, in Thy Kingdom, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Another Prayer
O God, O Christ Jesus Most Compassionate, O Redeemer of sinners: for the salvation of mankind Thou, O All-merciful One, didst leave the all-glorious heavens and come to dwell in this vale of sorrows and many sins; Thou didst take upon Thy Divine shoulders our weaknesses and didst bear our infirmities; Thou, O Holy Sufferer, wast wounded for our sins and tortured for our transgressions; therefore, to Thee, O Lover of mankind, even we raise up our humble entreaties: accept them, O Most Good Lord, and condescend to our infirmities, and remember not our sins, and turn away from us the threat of recompense for our sins.
O Thou Who by Thy Most Precious Blood hast renewed our fallen nature, O Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, renew even us who are in the corruption of sins, and console our hearts with the joy of Thine all-encompassing forgiveness. With cries of lamentation and unending tears of repentance we fall down at the feet of Thy Divine loving-kindness; by Thy grace cleanse us all, O our God, from all unrighteous acts, all the iniquities of our life, so that in the holiness of Thy Love for mankind we may praise Thine all-holy name, together with the Father and the Most Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
A Prayer to the Most Holy Lady Theotokos
Open unto us the door of Thy loving kindness, O Blessed Theotokos, so that hoping in Thee we may not perish, but through Thee may be delivered from adversities, for Thou art the salvation of the Christian race. Rejoice, O Thou Only Most Pure Mother of our Only Creator, our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ!
Be for me an intercessor at the dreadful Day of Judgement, when I shall stand before the throne of the Impartial Judge, that by Thy prayers I may be delivered from the threat of fiery torment, O Only Blessed One.
(Prostrations)
O Most Holy Theotokos, save us!
Prayer of a believing mother to the Compassionate Lord for those souls whose death she has consciously caused while they were still in her womb:
Remember, O Lord, Who lovest mankind, the souls of Thy departed servants – the infants who died in the wombs of Orthodox mothers, whether in an unforeseen manner from accidental effects, or from a difficult birth, or from some heedlessness, or because they were consciously destroyed – and who therefore did not receive Holy Baptism.
Baptise them, O Lord, in the ocean of Thy compassion, and save them by Thine ineffable grace; and forgive me a sinner (name), who have committed the slaying of an infant in my womb, and deprive me not of Thy mercy. (Prostration)
O Lord, seeing my faith and tears, have mercy on my children who have died in the womb; for the sake of Thy loving-kindness, O Lord, deprive them not of Thy Divine Light.
(To be prayed throughout all of one’s life.)
This concludes the Akathist of Repentance For One Who Has Aborted a Child.
* * * * * * *
A Prayer to Jesus Christ to Deliver Us from the Sin of Abortion
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who—at the 6th hour of the day— didst shed Thy precious Blood upon the Cross for the salvation of all mankind: receive the souls of all the innocent pre- born babies, who have been, are being, or will be slaughtered today in the hospitals and abortion chambers throughout our Nation. And as their untimely deaths have prevented them from receiving the grace of Holy Baptism, I entreat Thee to accept their innocent blood as their Baptism (as Thou didst with the early Martyrs); so that they can share eternity with Thee.
To the doctors, nurses, parents and hosts of accomplices responsible for this infanticide, grant tears of repentance; so that they can run to Thee for forgiveness and healing, and thus avoid the eternal death of their souls. I believe that all things are possible with Thee, O Lord. Therefore, I entreat Thee on this day—through Thy divine grace—to convince at least one mother in every state to cancel her abortion and bring her child to full term; and to convince one doctor in every state to repent of his actions, and never again kill a child in the womb.
Receive my prayer, O Lord, even though it is offered to Thee from such a sinful and unworthy servant; and unite my entreaty with those of all the other brothers and sisters that are crying out today on behalf of all Thy little ones, who are now being formed in the wombs of their mothers. Deliver us and our Nation, O Lord, from this shedding of innocent blood! Forgive us! Heal us! Save us! Amen.
* * * * * * *
From a Moleben for the Victims of Abortion
It is adapted for private prayers from the additions to the Great Ektenia:
“Grant, O Lord, mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation for those who strive against the evil of abortion and pardon and remission of their sins. [bow] Have mercy on Thy servants who strive to save the lives of thine innocent children. Fulfill their saving petitions and forgive all their transgressions, whether voluntary or involuntary. Protect them from every visible and invisible enemy; deliver them from all misery, sickness, and affliction; and grant them health and length of days. [bow]
“Have mercy on all those who have fallen into the hands of the Godless civil authority for the sake of Thy Children, and who languish in courts and prisons; look upon them with compassion; comfort, strengthen, and preserve them, deliver them speedily from bondage and oppression. [bow]
“By thine infinite power, O Lord, move to compassion and mercy the hearts of those who hold Thy servants in cruel captivity; restrain them from doing harm or permitting evil to befall Thy servants but rather cause them to relent and to release them; free the captives whole and unharmed, O Lord, and bestow Thy mercy upon them.
“By thy great mercy, O Lord our God, bring to repentance those who contemplate killing their children and those who would aid them in doing so; revive the natural feelings of these mothers and fathers for their children; and prevent them committing this great sin against innocent blood. Render not unto them according to their deeds, but by Thy great mercy convert them, and unite them to Thy Church. [bow]
“Have mercy, O God, on Thy children condemned to death by the unjust judgement of men. Soften the hearts of those that seek their violent destruction and rescue them that are being led forth to the slaughter. [bow]
“Thy vile enemies, O Lord, have annihilated Thy children and persecuted those that would speak out against their murderous deeds. Look down from heaven, therefore, and behold, and forsake us not up utterly, but quickly cleanse this land and the whole world of the wickedness of those that oppose thee, O God, who art mighty in strength and wondrous in wisdom.” [bow]
* * * * * * *
A Prayer for the Victims of Abortion
O most merciful, all gracious and compassionate Lord Jesus Christ our Savior, Son of God: we entreat Thee, most gracious Master: look with compassion upon Thy children who have been condemned to death by the unjust judgement of men. And as Thou hast promised to bestow the heavenly kingdom on them born of water and the Spirit, and who in blamelessness of life have been translated unto Thee; and Who said, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven” – we humbly pray, according to Thy unfailing promise: grant the inheritance of Thy kingdom to the multitude of spotless infants who have been cruelly murdered in the abortuaries of this land; for Thou art the resurrection and the life and the repose of all Thy servants and of these innocents, O Christ our God.
Turn the hearts of those who seek to destroy Thy little ones. We beseech Thee to pour forth Thy healing grace upon them, that they may be convicted in their hearts and turn from their evil ways. Remember all of them that kill our children as on the altars of Moloch, and render not unto them according to their deeds, but according to Thy great mercy convert them: the unbelieving to true faith and piety, and the believing that they may turn from evil and do good.
O Holy Master, Almighty Father and pre-eternal God, Who alone made and directs all things; Who rises up quickly against the evil of the impious ones; who, by providence, teaches Thy people preservation of justice and the obliteration of evil on earth; Who condescends to raise up warriors for the protection of the people of God: we entreat Thee with compunction, that as Thou didst give David power to defeat Goliath, and as Thou didst condescend through Judas Maccabeus, to seize victory from the arrogant pagans who would not call on Thy Name; so too, grant protection to us, Thy servants against the enemies rising against us as we go forth to do spiritual battle against the evil one and those who do his will rather than Thine.
For Thou art a merciful God, and lovest mankind, 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.