Traditional Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, bless my father and mother, my guardians, and those who are in authority over me, for their love and tender care for me, and for the benefits I receive at their hands.
Help me, I pray Thee, to be respectful and obedient toward them in all things according to Thy will, and give me Thy grace to perform all of my duties carefully and faithfully, to avoid undesirable company and influence, and to resist all temptation that may come my way; that I may live a sober, righteous and godly life, ever praising Thee, and glorifying Thy holy name. Amen.
A prayer by Archimandrite Nicodim (Mandita)
O Holy Lord, King of heaven and earth, look down with mercy and compassion from the height of Thy holy dwelling, upon our home. Grant health and everything good to my father and mother, so that they may take care of me and everyone in our household. And help us all to do what is good and pleasing to Thee. Amen.
Another prayer by Archimandrite Nicodim
O Lord Jesus Christ our God, Who in Thy childhood and youth in Nazareth was submissive and obedient to Thy Most Pure Mother and Thy holy Provider and Guardian Joseph, leaving us an image of a pure childhood, well-pleasing to God and men; do Thou Thyself, O Lover of men, enlighten me, help me, and inflame me with Thy love, that I may be submissive in everything to Thee and to my parents who gave me birth, raised me, have taken care of me, and nourished me.
Help me, O Lord, to always be obedient to them and to honor them, as Thou didst command us, saying: Honor thy father and thy mother, that it may be well with thee and that thou mayest live many years upon the earth. I pray Thee, O Lord, to keep my parents safe, grant them grace, mercy, health, good temper, strength, love, holy zeal, and all that is necessary and profitable, so that they may bring me up well in Thy truth, with respect for holy things and for the good of society.
O Lord Almighty, all things are possible to Thee: help me and my parents, that we may do all that is pleasing to Thee, for Thou art blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.
Another prayer by Archimandrite Nicodim
O All-Good Lord God, Who hast granted me good parents, that through them I may be a sharer in many good things; O Thou Who dost will that I should be thankful to them for the life Thou hast granted me through them and for all the care they have had and still have for me, I pray Thee with humility for their health and salvation, O God, Who art All-Compassionate, but also All-Righteous, Who blesses children for their parents, but often by Thy right hand punishes them for their sins. Receive my humble thanksgiving for the benefactions which Thou hast poured forth unceasingly on my parents. Send them Thy blessings also in the future, O All-Good Master, and forgive all sins which they may have committed, being human. Teach me to honor in them Thy strength, and to be grateful and thankful to them for the life which Thou hast given me through them, and for all the cares which they have had and still have for me. Help me to follow Thy holy commandments, so that I may be submissive and obedient to them, and so that I may do nothing which embitters and saddens them. Reward them, O Most Good One, with Thy goodness, for the love and unsleeping care which they always have for me. Protect them from all misfortunes and sorrows. Grant them a long, blessed, quiet and peaceful life. Make them partakers in the blessedness of Thy Saints, multiply the fruits of their labors, make Thy goodness overflow upon them, that they may increase both in virtues and material abundance, that we may bless Thee all the days of our lives.
Amen.
