Prayers of Preparation for The Divine Liturgy
For the Faithful
The Church’s book of the Divine Liturgy describes the preparation for the Liturgy by the clergy. They enter the sanctuary only after saying the appropriate prayers and venerating the icons. Then they vest and prepare the gifts of bread and wine that are offered in the Divine Liturgy and that become the Body and Blood of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ. It is fitting, therefore, that all the faithful prepare themselves for the celebration of this holy mystery. The following prayers are recommended as a personal preparation.
Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to you, our God, glory to you.
Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of Blessings and Giver of Life, come and dwell within us, cleanse us of all stain, and save our souls, O gracious One.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy and Immortal, have mercy on us. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us; Lord, cleanse us of our sins; Master, forgive our transgressions;
Holy One, come to us and heal our infirmities for your name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. 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. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Twelve times)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Come, let us worship our King and God.
Come, let us worship Christ, our King and God.
Come, let us worship and bow before the only Lord Jesus Christ the King and our God.
Psalm 22
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose.
Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit.
He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name.
If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear.
You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort.
You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes.
My head you have anointed with oil; my cup is overflowing.
Your mercy, O Lord, shall follow me all the days of my life.
In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell forever and ever.
Psalm 23
To the Lord belong the earth and its fullness, the world and all who dwell in it.
It is he who set it on the seas; on the waters he made it firm.
Who shall climb the mountain of the Lord? Who shall stand in his holy place?
The man with clean hands and pure heart, who desires not worthless things,
who has not sworn so as to deceive his neighbor.
He shall receive blessings from the Lord and reward from the God who saves him.
Such are the men who seek him, seek the face of the God of Jacob.
O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory!
Who is the king of glory? The Lord, the mighty, the valiant, the Lord, the valiant in war.
O gates, lift high your heads; grow higher, ancient doors. Let him enter, the king of glory!
Who is he, the king of glory? He, the Lord of armies, he is the king of glory.
Psalm 115
I trusted even when I said: “I am sorely afflicted,” and when I said in my alarm: “No man can be trusted.”
What can I return to the Lord for all he has given me?
I shall take the chalice of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord.
My vows to the Lord I will fulfill before all his people.
Precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful.
Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds.
A thanksgiving sacrifice I make; I shall call on the Lord’s name.
My vows to the Lord I will fulfill before all his people,
in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem.
Glory to the + Father, and to the + Son, and to the + Holy Spirit, now and ever and forever. Amen.
Then three times, with a bow each time:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Glory to you, O God! (Three times)
Lord, have mercy. (Three times)
Troparia of Preparation
O Lord, born of the Virgin, do not look upon my sins, but cleanse my heart, and make it a temple for Your most pure Body and precious Blood. Do not cast me away from your presence, for you are merciful without limit.
Glory to the + Father, and to the + Son, and to the + Holy Spirit
How can I approach and partake of your holy mysteries, for I am unworthy; and if I come to your wedding Feast without the proper Garment of worthiness of heart, I would but earn my condemnation. However, You, o Lord, are able to cleanse my soul and called me into the table of salvation. For You are the Lover of us all.
Now and ever and forever. Amen
O Mother of God, great is the number of my sins, but I hasten to you, seeking salvation; visit my soul in its weakness and pray to your son our God to grant me the forgiveness of my evil deeds. For you alone are truly blessed.