Is it possible to drink after evening prayer. Hello! Father, is it possible to do something after the evening prayer? Is it possible to read morning prayers not in the morning, but at lunch

16.11.2019

Rules of prayer and words of prayer.

Today there are no people in the world who would not know the meaning of the word "prayer". For some, these are just words, but for someone much more, it is a conversation with God, an opportunity to thank Him, ask for help or protection in righteous deeds. But do you know how to properly pray to God and saints in different places? Today we will talk about just that.

How to pray at home, in church, in front of an icon, relics, so that God hears us and helps us: Orthodox church rules

Each of us at least once in our lives prayed to God - maybe it was in church, or maybe the prayer was a request for help in difficult situation and was expressed in her own words. Even the most persistent and strong personalities sometimes turn to God. And in order for this appeal to be heard, one should adhere to the Orthodox church rules, which will be discussed later.

So, the first question that worries everyone is: “How to pray at home?”. It is possible and even necessary to pray at home, but there are prescribed church rules that should be followed:

Preparation for prayer:

Before prayer, you should wash, comb and dress in clean clothes.
Approach the icon with reverence, without loosening and waving your arms
Stand straight, lean on both legs at the same time, do not shift, do not stretch your arms and legs (stand almost still), prayer on your knees is allowed
It is necessary to mentally and morally tune in to prayer, drive away all distracting thoughts, focus only on what you are going to do and why

If you do not know the prayer by heart, you can read it from the prayer book
If you have never prayed at home before, just read the “Our Father” and you can then ask/thank God for something in your own words
It is better to read the prayer aloud and slowly, with reverence, passing each word “through” yourself
If during the reading of the prayer you are distracted by some suddenly appeared thoughts, ideas or desires to do something right at that moment, you should not interrupt the prayer, try to drive away thoughts and focus on prayer
And, of course, before saying a prayer, after its completion, if necessary, then during its reading, you should definitely make the sign of the cross

Completion of prayer at home:

After you pray, you can do absolutely any business - be it cooking, cleaning, or receiving guests.
Usually morning and evening prayers are read at home, as well as prayers before and after meals. Prayers are allowed at home and in “emergency situations”, when one overcomes fear for relatives and friends or has serious illnesses.
If you don’t have icons at home, you can pray in front of a window overlooking east side or in any place convenient for you, representing the image of the one to whom the prayer is addressed.

Prayer at home or in church

The next important question is: “How to pray in church?”:

There are two types of prayers in the church - collective (general) and individual (independent)
Church (general) prayers are performed simultaneously by groups of acquaintances and strangers under the guidance of a priest or priest. He reads a prayer, and all those present listen attentively to it and repeat it mentally. It is believed that such prayers are stronger than single ones - when one is distracted, the rest will continue the prayer and the distracted one can easily join it, again becoming part of the stream.
Individual (single) prayers are performed by parishioners during the absence of services. In such cases, the worshiper chooses an icon and places a candle in front of it. Then you should read "Our Father" and a prayer to the one whose image is on the icon. Prayer out loud in full voice is not allowed in the church. You can only pray in a quiet whisper or mentally.

The church is not allowed:

Individual prayer out loud
Prayer with your back to the iconostasis
Seated Prayer (except in cases of extreme fatigue, disability, or a serious illness that makes it impossible for a person to stand)

It is worth noting that in prayer in church, as in prayer at home, it is customary to make the sign of the cross before and after prayer. In addition, when visiting a church, the sign of the cross is made before entering the church and after leaving it.

Prayer before the icon. You can pray before the icon both at home and in church. The main rule is the conversion rule - a prayer is said to the saint in front of whose icon you are standing. This rule cannot be broken. If you do not know where the icon you need is located in the church, you can check with the ministers and nuns.

Prayers to the relics. In some churches there are the relics of saints, you can venerate them any day through special glass sarcophagi, and big holidays- it is allowed to apply to the relics themselves. In addition, it is believed that the relics of saints are very powerful, so it is customary to turn to them for help in prayers.

It is no secret that few people managed to venerate the relics and read the prayer in full, because, as usual, the queue creates a huge onslaught on the one who is in front of the relics. Therefore, it is customary to do this:

First, a candle is lit in the church and they pray in front of the icon of the saint whose relics they want to venerate
They go to venerate the relics, and at the very moment of the veneration they express their request or gratitude in a few words. This is done in a whisper or mentally.

The application to the relics is considered one of the most ancient rituals in Christianity and is of great importance for true believers.

What basic prayers should an Orthodox Christian know and read?

As we mentioned earlier, in prayers a person can ask for help, give thanks for help, ask for forgiveness or praise the Lord. It is on this principle (by appointment) that prayers are classified:

Prayers of praise are prayers in which people praise God, while not asking for anything for themselves. These prayers include praises
Thanksgiving prayers are prayers in which people thank God for help in business, for protection in important matters that have been
Prayers of petition are prayers in which people ask for help in worldly affairs, ask for protection for themselves and loved ones, ask for speedy recovery etc.
Prayers of repentance are prayers in which people repent of their deeds, spoken words

It is believed that every Orthodox Christian should always remember the words of 5 prayers:

Our Father - The Lord's Prayer
"King of heaven" - a prayer to the Holy Spirit
“Virgin Mary, rejoice” - a prayer of the Mother of God
“It is worthy to eat” - the prayer of the Mother of God

Prayer "Our Father": words

It is believed that Jesus Christ himself read this prayer, and then passed it on to his disciples. "Our Father" is a "universal" prayer - it can be read in all cases. Usually, home prayers, appeals to God begin with it, and they ask for help and protection with it.

This is the first prayer that children should learn. Usually, "Our Father" is familiar from childhood, and almost everyone can reproduce it by heart. Such a prayer can be read mentally for your protection in dangerous situations, it is also read over sick and small children so that they sleep well.

Prayer "Alive in help": words

One of the strongest prayers is considered to be "Alive in help." According to legend, it was written by King David, it is very old, and therefore strong. This is a prayer-amulet and a prayer-helper. It protects from attacks, injuries, disasters, from evil spirits and its influence. In addition, they recommend reading “Alive in Help” to those who go on an important matter - on a long journey, for an exam, before moving to a new place.

Alive in help

It is believed that if you sew a piece of paper with the words of this prayer into the belt of your clothes (or better, embroider them on your belt at all), then the person who wears such an outfit will be lucky.

Prayer "Symbol of Faith": words

Surprisingly, the Creed prayer is not actually a prayer. This fact is recognized by the church, but nevertheless the “Symbol of Faith” is always included in the prayer book. Why?

Symbol of faith

At its core, this prayer is a collection of dogmas of the Christian faith. They are necessarily read at evening and morning prayers, and are also sung as part of the Liturgy of the Faithful. In addition, while reading the “Creed”, Christians repeat the truth of their faith over and over again.

Prayer for neighbors: words

It often happens that our relatives, relatives or friends need help. In this case, you can read the Jesus Prayer for your neighbors.

In addition, if a person is baptized, you can pray for him in home prayer, pray in church and light candles for health, order health notes about him, in special occasions(when a person really needs help) you can order a magpie for health.
It is customary to pray for baptized relatives, relatives and friends in the morning prayer rule, at the very end of it.
Please note: for unbaptized people, you can’t put candles in the church, you can’t order notes and magpies about health. If an unbaptized person needs help, you can pray for him in your home prayer in your own words, without lighting a candle.

Prayer for the Dead: Words

There are events that are beyond anyone's control. One such event is death. It brings grief, sadness and tears to the family, where a person passes away. All those around mourn and sincerely wish the deceased to go to Paradise. It is in such cases that prayers for the dead are used. Such prayers can be read:

At home
In the church:

Order a memorial service
Submit a note for commemoration at the liturgy
Order magpie for the repose of the soul of the deceased

It is believed that after the death of a person, the Last Judgment awaits, at which they will ask about all his sins. The deceased himself will no longer be able to alleviate his suffering and his fate on the Last Judgment. But his relatives and friends can pray for him, distribute alms, order magpies. All this helps the soul to go to Paradise.

IMPORTANT: In no case should you pray, light candles for the repose of the soul and order magpies for a person who has committed suicide. In addition, this should not be done for the unbaptized.

Prayer for enemies: words

Each of us has enemies. Whether we like it or not, there are people who envy us, who do not like us because of their faith, personal qualities or actions. What to do in such a situation and how to protect yourself from negative impact?

That's right, pick up a prayer for the enemy and read it. Usually this is enough for a person to cool off towards you and stop taking any negative actions, speaking out, etc.
There are sections in prayer books devoted to this very issue. But there are times when one home prayer is not enough.

If you know that a person treats you negatively and constantly creates problems for you on this basis, then you should go to church.

The church needs to do the following:

Pray for the health of your enemy
Light a candle for his health
AT difficult cases you can order this person a magpie for health (but only on condition that you know for sure that the enemy is baptized)

In addition, each time you pray for your enemy, ask the Lord for patience for yourself to endure this.

Family prayer: words

Believing Christians believe that the family is an extension of the church. That is why in many families it is customary to pray together.

In houses where families pray, there is a so-called "red corner" where icons are placed. Usually a room is chosen for him in which everyone can fit in for prayer in such a way as to see the icons. Icons, in turn, are placed in the eastern corner of the room. As usual, the father of the family reads the prayer, the rest mentally repeat it.
If there is no such corner in the house, it's okay. Family prayer can be said together before meals or after meals.

All family members participate in family prayer, except for the smallest children. Older children are allowed to repeat the words of the prayer after their father
Family prayers are a very strong amulet for the family. In such prayers, you can ask for the whole family at once or for one person. In families where it is customary to pray together, real Christians grow up who are able to pass on their faith to children.
In addition, there are cases when such prayers helped the sick to recover, and couples who long time it is not possible to have children, to find the happiness of parenthood.

Is it possible and how to pray in your own words?

As we said earlier, you can pray in your own words. But this does not mean that you just went to church, light a candle and asked or thanked God for something. No.

There are also rules for praying in your own words:

You can pray in your own words in the morning and evening rules between prayers
Before praying in your own words, you should read "Our Father"
Prayer in your own words still provides for the sign of the cross
Only in their own words they pray for the unbaptized and people of a different faith (only in cases of emergency)
In your own words, you can pray in home prayers and in church, while you should adhere to the rules
You can’t pray in your own words, just like saying an ordinary prayer, and at the same time asking for punishment for someone

Is it possible to read prayers in modern Russian?

Opinions differ on this point. Some clergymen say that prayers should be read only in the church language, others - that there is no difference. Usually a person turns to God in a language he understands, asks for something that is understandable to him. Therefore, if you have not learned “Our Father” in the church language or are addressing the saints in your own language, understandable to you, there is nothing to worry about. No wonder they say - "God understands every language."

Is it possible to read prayers during menstruation?

In the Middle Ages, girls and women during menstruation were forbidden to attend church. But the origins of this question have their own history, which confirms the opinion of many - during menstruation, you can pray and go to church.

Today, attending church and praying at home in front of icons during menstruation is allowed. But when visiting a church, there are still some restrictions:

Communion is not allowed during this period.
You can not venerate relics, icons and the altar cross, which is given by the priest
It is forbidden to use prosphora and holy water

In addition, if a girl feels unwell during this special period, it is still better to refuse to attend church.

Is it possible to read prayers from a computer, phone in electronic form?

Modern technology breaks into all spheres of life, and religion is no exception. Reading prayers from the screens of electronic media is possible, but not desirable. If you have no other choice, you can read it once from the screen of your tablet/phone/monitor. After all, the main thing in prayer is not the source of texts, but the spiritual mood. But be aware that it is not accepted to read prayers in churches from the phone. You may be reprimanded by ministers or nuns.

Is it possible to read a prayer on a piece of paper?

If you pray at home or in church and still do not know the text of the prayer very well
If you are in the church, then the "cheat sheet" should be on clean slate, you should not rustle or crush it. According to generally accepted rules, in the church it is allowed to read a prayer from a prayer book

Is it possible to read prayers in transport?

You can pray in public transport. It is advisable to do this while standing, but if it is not possible to get up (for example, the transport is full), reading prayers while sitting is allowed.

Is it possible to read a prayer to yourself, in a whisper?

Prayers are read aloud on rare occasions, therefore it is quite normal to perform a prayer in a whisper or mentally. In addition, it is not customary to even whisper at a common (church) prayer. You listen to the prayer that the priest reads, you can mentally repeat the words, but in no case out loud. Family prayers or independent home prayers are read aloud when you are praying alone.

Is it possible to read prayers after eating?

Orthodox Christians have a good family tradition - prayers before and after meals.

It is permissible to say a prayer after eating only if you said a prayer before eating
In the prayer books there are special prayers before and after meals. Their reading is allowed both sitting and standing.
Parents baptize small children during prayers. Before the end of the prayer, it is forbidden to start eating

The ritual itself can take place in several ways:

Someone reads a prayer, the rest mentally repeat it
All together read aloud a prayer
Everyone mentally reads a prayer and is baptized

Is it possible to read prayers while sitting at home?

There are several ways to pray at home, we discussed them above. According to the rules, you can only pray standing on your feet or on your knees. In a sitting position, it is allowed to pray at home in several cases:

A disability or illness that prevents a person from praying standing up. Bedridden patients are allowed to pray in any position that is convenient for them.
Extreme fatigue or exhaustion
Sitting, you can pray at the table before and after meals

Is it possible to read a prayer at home only in the morning or only in the evening?

Reading prayers in the morning and evening is called the morning and evening rules. Of course, you can pray only in the evening or only in the morning, but if possible, it is better to do this both in the morning and in the evening. Also, if you feel the need to pray but don't have a prayer book, read the Lord's Prayer 3 times.

Is it permissible for a Muslim to read the Lord's Prayer?

The Orthodox Church does not encourage such experiments in faith. Most often, priests answer this question with a resounding “no.” But there are also such priests who are trying to get to the bottom of the problem - and if the need to read the Our Father prayer comes from the depths of the soul of a Muslim or Muslim woman, then in rare cases they give permission to read this particular prayer.

Is it possible to read the prayer of detention for pregnant women?

Prayer for detention is considered a very powerful amulet, but at the same time, not all clergy recognize it as a prayer. Usually it is read at home in front of a lit candle.

According to most priests, pregnant women should not read this prayer. If pregnant women have a need or they are worried about the health of their baby, they are recommended to read special prayers for bearing a child, for a healthy child and for saving the child to Mother Matrona.

Is it possible to read several prayers in a row?

Several prayers in a row are allowed to be read in the morning and evening rule, as well as for those people who feel the need for it. If you are just taking the first steps towards God, it is better to turn to him with one prayer in full concentration than with a dozen prayers with porridge in your head. It is also permissible, after reading the Our Father, to pray in your own words, ask or thank God for protection and help.

Can lay people read the Jesus Prayer?

There is an opinion that the Jesus Prayer cannot be said to the laity. The ban on the words “Lord Jesus Christ, the Blue of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” for the laity existed for a long time for one reason only - monks turned to God with such a prayer, and lay people often heard this appeal in church language, they did not understand it and could not repeat it . So there was an imaginary ban on this prayer. In fact, every Christian can say this prayer, it heals and clears the mind. You can repeat it 3 times in a row or using the rosary method.

Is it possible to read prayers not in front of the icon?

It is not possible to pray in front of an icon. The Church does not forbid saying prayers at the table (prayers before and after meals), prayers for protection and intercession in critical situations, prayers for recovery and healing can also be read over the sick. Indeed, in prayer, the main thing is not the presence of an icon in front of the person praying, the main thing is the mental attitude and readiness for prayer.

Is it possible for pregnant women to read a prayer for the dead?

Today it is not considered a sin for a pregnant woman to attend church. It is also not forbidden to order a magpie about the health of yourself, your relatives and loved ones. You can submit notes about the repose of the souls of deceased relatives.

But in most cases, priests still do not recommend pregnant women to read prayers for the dead. This is especially true for the first 40 days after the death of close relatives. In addition, pregnant women are prohibited from ordering a magpie for the repose of acquaintances or friends.

Is it possible to read a prayer to an unbaptized person?

If an unbaptized person is drawn to Orthodoxy, he can read Orthodox prayers. In addition, the church will recommend him to read the Gospel and think about further baptism.

Is it possible to read prayers without a candle?

The presence of a candle when reading a prayer is desirable and pious, but its presence is not a prerequisite for prayer. Since there are moments of urgent need for prayer, and there is no candle at hand, prayer without it is allowed.

As you can see, there are rules for reading prayers, but for the most part they are optional. Remember, when saying a prayer, the most important thing is not the place, and not the way, but your mental attitude and sincerity.

Video: How to read morning and evening prayers?

Saint Ignatius (Bryanchaninov) wrote in his Teaching on the Rule of Prayer: “The rule! What an exact name, borrowed from the very action produced on a person by prayers, called the rule! The rule of prayer directs the soul correctly and holily, teaches it to worship God in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23), while the soul, being left to itself, could not follow the right path of prayer. Because of her damage and darkening by sin, she would be constantly seduced to the sides, often into an abyss, now into absent-mindedness, now into daydreaming, then into various empty and deceptive phantoms of high prayerful states composed by her vanity and voluptuousness.

The prayer rules keep the worshiper in a saving disposition, humility and repentance, teaching him unceasing self-condemnation, nourishing him with compunction, strengthening him with hope in the All-Good and All-Merciful God, amusing him with the peace of Christ, love for God and for neighbors.

From these words of the saint it is clear that it is very salutary to read the morning and evening prayer rule. It spiritually pulls a person out of the turmoil of night dreams or daytime worries and places him before God. And the human soul enters into communion with its Creator. The grace of the Holy Spirit descends on a person, brings him into the necessary repentant mood, gives him inner peace and harmony, drives away demons from him (“This kind is cast out only by prayer and fasting” (Matt. 17:21), sends God’s blessing and strength to him especially since prayers were written by holy people: Saints Basil the Great and John Chrysostom, St. Macarius the Great, etc. That is, the very structure of the rule is divinely inspired and very useful for the human soul.

Therefore, of course, reading the daily morning and evening prayer rule, so to speak, is a necessary minimum for Orthodox Christian. And it doesn't take much time. For someone who has entered the skill of reading, it takes about twenty minutes in the morning and the same amount in the evening.

If you do not have time to read the morning rule all at once, then break it into several parts. “Hat” from the beginning to “Lord have mercy” (12 times), inclusive, can, for example, be read at home; the following prayers - during breaks in work or their daily activities. In this, of course, you need to confess, but it's better than not reading at all. We are all people, and it is clear that we are very sinful and busy. You also regulate the end of morning prayers for yourself. This concerns the commemorator. You can read the extended commemoration or the abbreviated one. At your discretion, depending on the time available.

A fairly common mistake of a novice Orthodox Christian is to read the evening prayer rule just before going to bed. You sway, stagger, mumble the words of a prayer, and you yourself think about how to lie down in bed under a warm blanket and fall asleep. So it turns out - not prayer, but torment. Obligatory hard labor before going to bed.

In fact, the evening prayer rule is read somewhat differently. Hegumen Nikon (Vorobiev) wrote that after evening prayers, you can leave time to talk and drink tea.

That is, in fact, you can read the evening prayer rule from the beginning to the prayer of St. John of Damascus “Lord Lover of Humanity ...” If you, dear brothers and sisters, have paid attention, then before this prayer there is a prayer of forgiveness: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son God... have mercy on us. Amen". It really is a vacation. You can read the evening prayers before him, inclusive, long before bedtime: at six, seven, eight o'clock in the evening. Then go about your daily evening activities. You can still eat and drink tea, as Father Nikon said, to chat with loved ones.

And already starting with the prayer “Lord Lover of Man…” and to the end, the rule is read immediately before going to bed. During the prayer "Let God rise again" you need to cross yourself and you can cross your bed and house on the four cardinal points (starting from Orthodox tradition from the east), protecting themselves, loved ones and their homes with the sign of the cross from all evil.

After reading the second half of the evening prayers, nothing is eaten or drunk. In the prayer "In Your hands, Lord ..." you ask for a blessing from God on good dream and commit your soul to Him. After that, you should go to bed.

I would also like to draw your attention, dear brothers and sisters, to the rule Reverend Seraphim Sarovsky. Many understand it as three readings per day (morning, afternoon, evening) of certain prayers “Our Father” (three times), “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice ...” (three times) and the Creed (once). But it is not so. In addition to reading the rule three times, St. Seraphim said that a person in the first half of the day should read the Jesus Prayer almost all the time or, if people are around, in the mind, “Lord, have mercy,” and after dinner, instead of the Jesus prayer, “Most Holy Theotokos, save me, a sinner."

That is, Saint Seraphim offers a person a spiritual exercise in uninterrupted prayer, and not just a relief from the evening and morning prayer rule. You can, of course, read a prayer according to the rule of St. Seraphim of Sarov, but only then you need to follow all the instructions of the great elder.

Therefore, I repeat once again, the morning and evening prayer rule is a necessary minimum for an Orthodox Christian.

I would also like to draw your attention, dear brothers and sisters, to a fairly common mistake that we often make.

St. Ignatius warns us about it in the above-mentioned work: it is necessary to make both the rules and bows with the possible slowness and attention. It is better to read less prayers and bow less, but with attention, than a lot and without attention.

Choose for yourself a rule corresponding to the forces. What the Lord said about the Sabbath, that it is for man, and not man for her (Mark 2:27), can and should be attributed to all pious deeds, as well as to the rule of prayer. A prayer rule is for a person, and not a person is for a rule: it should contribute to the achievement of spiritual prosperity by a person, and not serve as an unbearable burden (a burdensome duty), crushing bodily strength and embarrassing the soul. Moreover, it should not serve as a pretext for proud and pernicious conceit, pernicious condemnation of loved ones and humiliation of neighbors.

The Monk Nicodemus the Holy Mountaineer in the book “Invisible Warfare” wrote: “... There are many clergy who deprive themselves of the saving fruit of the world from their spiritual deeds by prolonging them, believing that they will suffer damage if they do not bring them to the end, in false confidence , of course, that spiritual perfection consists in this. Following their will in this way, they work hard and torment themselves, but do not receive true peace and inner peace, in which God truly finds and rests.

That is, we need to calculate our strength in prayer. You should sit down and think about the time that everyone has. If, for example, you are a freight forwarder in a trading company and are on the road from morning to night, or you are married, work and you also need to devote time to your husband, children, organize family life, then maybe the morning and evening prayer rule is enough for you and the reading of two chapters of the "Apostle", a chapter of the gospel daily. Because if you also take upon yourself the reading of various akathists, several kathismas, then you will not have time to live. And if you are a pensioner or work somewhere as a security guard or at another job, having free time, then why not read akathists and kathismas.

Explore yourself, your time, your capabilities, your strengths. Measure the prayer rule with your life so that it is not a burden, but a joy. Because it is better to read fewer prayers, but with heartfelt attention, than a lot, but thoughtlessly, mechanically. Prayer has power when you listen and read it with your whole being. Then the life-giving spring of communion with God will surge in our hearts.

Priest Andrei Chizhenko, Orthodox Life.

From these words of the saint it is clear that it is very salutary to read the morning and evening prayer rule. It spiritually pulls a person out of the turmoil of night dreams or daytime worries and places him before God. And the human soul enters into communion with its Creator. The grace of the Holy Spirit descends on a person, brings him into the necessary repentant mood, gives him inner peace and harmony, drives away demons from him (“This kind is cast out only by prayer and fasting” (Matt. 17:21), sends God’s blessing and strength to him especially since the prayers were written by holy people: Saints Basil the Great and John Chrysostom, the Monk Macarius the Great, etc. That is, the very structure of the rule is very useful for the human soul.

Therefore, of course, reading the daily morning and evening prayer rule, so to speak, is a necessary minimum for an Orthodox Christian. And it doesn't take much time. The one who has entered the skill of reading has about twenty minutes in the morning and the same in the evening.

In fact, the evening prayer rule is read somewhat differently. Hegumen Nikon (Vorobiev) wrote that after evening prayers, you can leave time to talk and drink tea.

And already starting with the prayer “Lord Lover of Man…” and to the end, the rule is read immediately before going to bed. During the prayer “Let God Arise”, you need to cross yourself and you can cross your bed and house to the four cardinal directions (starting from the east according to the Orthodox tradition), protecting yourself, loved ones and your home with the sign of the cross from all evil.

After reading the second half of the evening prayers, nothing is eaten or drunk. In the prayer "In Your hands, Lord ..." you ask God for a blessing for a good sleep and commit your soul to Him. After that, you should go to bed.

I would also like to draw your attention, dear brothers and sisters, to the rule of St. Seraphim of Sarov. Many understand it as three readings per day (morning, afternoon, evening) of certain prayers “Our Father” (three times), “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice ...” (three times) and the Creed (once). But it is not so. In addition to reading the rule three times, St. Seraphim said that a person in the first half of the day should read the Jesus Prayer almost all the time or, if people are around, in the mind, “Lord, have mercy,” and after dinner, instead of the Jesus prayer, “Most Holy Theotokos, save me, a sinner."

Therefore, I repeat once again, the morning and evening prayer rule is a necessary minimum for an Orthodox Christian.

I would also like to draw your attention, dear brothers and sisters, to a fairly common mistake that we often make.

Choose for yourself a rule corresponding to the forces. What the Lord said about the Sabbath, that it is for a person, and not a person for it (Mark 2:27), can and should be attributed to all pious deeds, as well as to the prayer rule. A prayer rule is for a person, and not a person for a rule: it should contribute to the achievement of spiritual success by a person, and not serve as an unbearable burden (a burdensome duty), crushing bodily strength and embarrassing the soul. Moreover, it should not serve as a pretext for proud and pernicious conceit, pernicious condemnation of loved ones and humiliation of neighbors.

Prayer is the free appeal of the human soul to God. How to correlate this freedom with the obligation to read the rule even when you clearly do not want to do this?

Freedom is not permissiveness. A person is so arranged that if he allows himself an indulgence, it can be very difficult to return to the previous state. There are many examples in hagiographic literature when ascetics abandoned their prayer rule in order to show love to the brothers who came. Thus, they placed the commandment of love above their prayer rule. But it should be remembered that these people reached extraordinary heights of spiritual life, they were unceasingly in prayer. When we feel that we do not want to pray, this is a banal temptation, not a manifestation of freedom.

The rule supports a person spiritually developed state, it should not depend on the momentary mood. If a person leaves the prayer rule, he very quickly comes to relaxation.

In addition, it should be remembered that when a person communicates with God, an enemy of our salvation always strives to stand between them. And not allowing him to do this is not a restriction on the freedom of the individual.

This is clearly and clearly written in any Orthodox prayer book: “Awakening from sleep, before any other work, stand reverently before the All-Seeing God and, making the sign of the cross, say ...”. In addition, the very meaning of prayers tells us that morning prayers are read at the very beginning of the day, when the human mind is not yet occupied with any thoughts. And evening prayers should be read for a dream to come, after any deeds. In these prayers, sleep is compared with death, the bed with a deathbed. And it is strange, after talking about death, to go to watch TV or communicate with relatives.

Any prayer rule is based on the experience of the Church, to which we must listen. These rules do not violate human freedom, but help to get the maximum spiritual benefit. Of course, there can be exceptions to any rule based on some unforeseen circumstances.

What else, besides morning and evening prayers, can be included in the prayer rule of a layman?

The rule of a layman may include quite a variety of prayers and rites. It can be various canons, akathists, reading Holy Scripture or the Psalms, prostrations, the Jesus Prayer. In addition, the rule should include a brief or more detailed commemoration of the health and repose of loved ones. In monastic practice, there is a custom to include in the rule the reading of patristic literature. But before you add something to your prayer rule, you need to think carefully, consult with the priest, evaluate your strengths. After all, the rule is read regardless of mood, fatigue, other heart movements. And if a person has promised something to God, it must be fulfilled. The Holy Fathers say: let the rule be small, but constant. At the same time, you need to pray with all your heart.

Can a person himself, without blessing, begin to read the canons, akathists in addition to the prayer rule?

Of course it can. But if he did not just read a prayer according to the aspiration of his heart, but thereby increases his constant prayer rule, it is better to ask a blessing from the confessor. A priest with a glance from the outside will assess his condition correctly: whether such an increase will be beneficial to him. If a Christian goes to confession regularly, watches over his inner life, such a change in his rule, one way or another, will be reflected in his spiritual life.

But this is possible when a person has a confessor. If there is no confessor, and he himself decided to add something to his rule, it is still better to consult at the next confession.

On days when the service lasts all night and Christians do not sleep, is it necessary to read evening and morning prayers?

– We do not tie the morning and evening rule to a specific time. However, it would be wrong to read evening prayers in the morning, and morning prayers in the evening. We should not be hypocritical about the rule and read it at all costs, ignoring the meaning of the prayers. If you are not going to sleep, why ask God's blessing to sleep? You can replace the morning or evening rule with other prayers or reading the Gospel.

– I think that it is better for a woman to make a prayer rule in a headscarf. This brings up humility in her and shows her obedience to the Church. Indeed, from the Holy Scriptures we learn that the wife covers her head not for those around her, but for the Angels ( 1 Cor. 11.10). This is a matter of personal piety. Of course, God does not care whether you stand up for prayer with or without a headscarf, but this is important for you.

How are the canons and the following to Holy Communion read: on the same day the day before, or can their reading be divided over several days?

– It is impossible to approach the fulfillment of the prayer rule formally. A person must build his relationship with God himself, based on prayer preparation, health, free time, and the practice of communicating with a confessor.

Today, a tradition has developed in preparation for Communion to read three canons: to the Lord, the Mother of God and the Guardian Angel, an akathist to the Savior or the Mother of God, the following to Holy Communion. I think it's best to read the whole rule on the same day before Communion. But if it's hard, you can spread it over three days.

Often friends and acquaintances ask how to prepare for Communion, how to read the Psalter? What should they say to us laymen?

- You need to answer what you know for sure. You can not take responsibility for something strictly obligatory to prescribe to another or say something that you are not sure of. When answering, one must be guided by the common tradition of church life today. If not personal experience, you need to resort to the experience of the Church, the holy fathers. And if you were asked a question, the answer to which you do not know, you should be advised to turn to a priest or patristic creations.

I read the translation of some prayers into Russian. It turns out that I used to put a completely different meaning into them. Is it necessary to strive for a common understanding, to read translations, or can one understand prayers as the heart tells?

Prayers should be understood as they are written. An analogy can be drawn with conventional literature. We read the work, we understand it in our own way. But it is always interesting to know what meaning the author himself put into this work. Also the text of the prayer. The author put a special meaning into each of them. After all, we do not read a conspiracy, but turn to God with a certain petition or doxology. One can recall the words of the Apostle Paul that it is better to say five words in an understandable dialect than a thousand in an incomprehensible one ( 1 Cor. 14, 19). In addition, the authors of most Orthodox prayers are holy ascetics glorified by the Church.

How to relate to modern prayers? Is it possible to read everything that is written in the prayer books, or do you prefer the more ancient ones?

– Personally, I am more touched by the words of more ancient canons, the stichera. They seem deeper and more penetrating to me. But many people also like modern akathists for their simplicity.

If the Church has accepted prayers, you need to treat them with reverence, reverence and try to find some benefit for yourself. But to understand that some modern prayers are not so High Quality like prayers composed by ancient ascetics.

When a person writes a prayer for public use, he must understand what responsibility he takes on. He must have experience in prayer, but also be well educated. All texts that are offered by modern prayer creators must be edited and undergo a strict selection.

- Go to work. If a person has gathered in a temple, then in the first place should be public prayer. Although the fathers compared social and home prayer with two bird wings. Just as a bird cannot fly with one wing, so can a man. If he does not pray at home, but only goes to the temple, then, most likely, prayer will not go with him in the temple either. After all, he has no experience of personal communion with God. If a person prays only at home, but does not go to church, it means that he does not have an understanding of what the Church is. And without the Church there is no salvation.

How can a layman replace service at home if necessary?

Today, a large number of liturgical literature and various prayer books are published. If a layman cannot be present at the service, he can read the morning and evening services, as well as the mass, according to the canon.

The apostle Paul writes: “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial” ( 1 Cor. 6, 12). Tired or sick - you can sit in the Church, while reading the house rule. But you should understand what you are guided by: pain that prevents you from praying, or laziness. If the alternative to sitting prayer is her complete absence, of course, it is better to read sitting. If a person is seriously ill, you can even lie down. But if he is just tired or laziness fights him, you need to overcome yourself and get up. During worship, the Charter regulates when you can stand or sit. For example, we listen to the reading of the Gospel, akathists while standing, and while reading kathismas, sedals, and teachings, we sit down.

Bishop of Intercession and Nicholas Pakhomiy (Bruskov)

priest Konstantin Slepinin

St. Feofan

hegumen

arch.

St.

A. Andreeva

M. Verkhovskaya

priest Sergiy Begiyan

Prayer rule- 1) daily morning and evening that Christians perform (recommended texts can be found in); 2) regulated reading of these prayers.

The rule can be general - obligatory for all or individual, selected for the believer, taking into account his spiritual state, strength and employment.

Consists of morning and evening prayers, which are performed daily. This vital rhythm is necessary, because otherwise the soul easily falls out of the life of prayer, as if waking up only from time to time. In prayer, as in any big and difficult task, "inspiration", "mood" and improvisation alone are not enough.

Reading prayers connects a person with their creators: psalmists and ascetics. This helps to find a spiritual mood akin to their burning heart. In praying in other people's words, our example is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. His prayer exclamations during the suffering on the Cross are lines from ().

There are three basic prayer rules:
1) The complete prayer rule, which is printed in "";

2) Brief prayer rule. Lay people sometimes have situations when there is little time and energy left for prayer, and in this case it is better to read a short rule with attention and reverence than hastily and superficially, without a prayerful mood - the whole rule. The Holy Fathers teach to treat their prayer rule with reason, on the one hand, not giving concessions to their passions, laziness, self-pity and others that can destroy a correct spiritual dispensation, and on the other hand, to learn to shorten or even slightly change the rule without temptation and embarrassment. when there is a real need for it.

in the morning : “King of Heaven”, Trisagion, “”, “Virgin Mother of God”, “Rising from sleep”, “God have mercy on me”, “”, “God, cleanse me”, “To You, Vladyka”, “Holy Angel”, “ Blessed Lady”, invocation of the saints, prayer for the living and the dead;
in the evening : “King of Heaven”, Trisagion, “Our Father”, “Have mercy on us, Lord”, “Eternal God”, “Good King”, “Angel of Christ”, from “Choose Governor” to “It is worthy to eat”;

Is it good if the prayer rule is larger: in addition to the usual morning and evening prayers - akathists, canons?

The most important thing in the fulfillment of the prayer rule is its constant daily fulfillment. If necessary, it is reduced. You must have such a rule that it does not exceed your strength and that your conscience does not reproach you for laziness.

Morning and evening rules– this is just a necessary spiritual hygiene. We are commanded to pray without ceasing (see). The holy fathers said: if you churn milk, you will get butter, and in prayer, it turns from quantity into quality.

“In order for a rule to become not an obstacle, but a real mover of a person towards God, it is necessary that it be in proportion to his spiritual strength, correspond to his spiritual age and state of soul. Many people, not wanting to burden themselves, consciously choose prayer rules that are too light, which because of this become formal and do not bear fruit. But sometimes a great rule, chosen out of unreasonable jealousy, also becomes a shackle, plunging into despondency and preventing one from growing spiritually.
The rule is not a frozen form, during the course of life it must necessarily change both qualitatively and externally.

The saint briefly systematizes advice on reading the prayer rule:

“a) never read in a hurry, but read as if in a singsong voice ... In ancient times, everything recited prayers taken from the psalms... But nowhere do I see the word "read", but everywhere "sing"...

b) delve into every word and not only reproduce the thought of what you read in your mind, but also arouse a corresponding feeling ...

c) in order to cut off the urge for hasty reading, put - not read this and that, but stand on the reading prayer for a quarter of an hour, half an hour, an hour ... how long you usually stand ... and then do not worry ... how many prayers you read - but how the time has come, if not hunting to stand further, stop reading ...

d) having put this down, however, do not look at the clock, but stand like that so as to stand endlessly: the thought will not run ahead ...

e) in order to promote the movement of prayerful feelings in your free time, reread and rethink all the prayers that are included in your rule - and re-feel them, so that when you begin to read them on the rule, you know in advance what kind of feeling should be aroused in the heart ...

f) never read prayers without interruption, but always interrupt them with your own prayer, with bows, whether in the middle of prayers you have to do this or at the end. As soon as something falls into your heart, immediately stop reading and bow down. This last rule is the most necessary and the most necessary for cultivating the spirit of prayer... If some other feeling takes a lot, you will be with him and bow down, and leave the reading ... so until the very end of the allotted time.

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