Prayer for the Present Distress Caused by Wars

O Master great in mercy, Lord Jesus Christ our God, who knew that we are of lowly estate before Thee, and call upon Thine all-honorable Name; for we have sinned and transgressed, not having kept Thy commandments. Yet, trusting in Thine immeasurable love for mankind, we fall down before Thee Who hast said that Thou givest to everyone that knocketh. For behold, O Lord, we now knock at the door of Thy mercy. From the exalted Throne of Thy Majesty look upon our lowliness, and incline Thy gracious ear and hearken unto sinners who pray unto Thee, and have mercy on us; for we are held fast by sorrow, seeing nation rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and man taking up the sword—like the murderous Cain of old—turning against his fellow man, and seeking to slay him. Such that the saying of Thy Prophet is fulfilled: “They are all gone astray, they are together become unprofitable.” Wherefore, again we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, who at Thy Divine Nativity from the Ever-Virgin Mary didst command Thine Angels to hymn Thee, and to say: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill among men”; and Who, after Thy Resurrection on the third day from the dead, didst grant Thy peace to Thy holy Disciples and Apostles—be gracious unto Thy creation, and as the only King of Peace, bestow upon the whole inhabited earth the peace that passeth all understanding. Enlighten those who have the rule over the nations; strengthen those who are assailed; grant rest to those who have died unjustly; comfort those who mourn the death of their loved ones; bring wars to an end; and deign that we may pass the remainder of our lives in peace and repentance, so that we may all ascribe glory and thanksgiving unto Thee, together with Thine unoriginate Father, and Thine all-holy, good, and life-creating Spirit, now and ever, and unto the endless ages. Amen.

 

A Prayer approved by the Holy Synod of the Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece (Session of October 8/21, 2025) for liturgical as well as personal devotional use by clergy and laity. In a liturgical context, it may be read aloud by the celebrant before the Dismissal of the Divine Liturgy (before “Blessed be the Name of the Lord…”).

 

Original Greek: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1V--0sQcD5Fpv1f1JTP_kyRthcvY8552t/view?usp=sharing

Official English translation source: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1avY8bDCe0rGsgxv_rZoP67gCRglPylux/view?usp=sharing