Introductory Prayers

[Errham]

Are there any traditional prayers to be said before praying? For instance, a proper prayer to open a litany or a morning prayer rule with? At the moment, I use the Byzantine Seven-Prostrations+Trisagion prayers, but am wondering if there’s a Western format as well.

For those curious:

O God, be merciful to me a sinner. Bow.
O God, cleanse me a sinner and have mercy on me. Bow.
Thou hast created me, O Lord, have mercy on me. Bow.
Countless times have I sinned, O Lord, forgive me. Bow.
My most holy Lady Theotokos, save me a sinner. Bow.
O Angel, my holy Guardian, protect me from all evil. Bow.
Holy Apostle (or Martyr, or Holy Father) N., pray to God for me. Bow
Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us. Amen.
Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.
Heavenly King, O Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of every good and Giver of life, come and dwell in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. Thrice.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
All-Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, be gracious unto our sins. Master, pardon our inequities. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for thy name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Thrice.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father which art in the heavens, 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. Twelve times.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
And then, making three reverences:
O come, let us fall down and worship before our King and God.
O come, let us fall down and worship before Christ our King and God.
O come, let us fall down and worship before him, Christ the King and our God.
Then begin the prayer session as usual.

 

[cadet17]

The only prayer we do before praying is, while making the sign of the cross, “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” and again at the end. That’s about it.

 

[HelenRose]

The only prayer we do before praying is, while making the sign of the cross, “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” and again at the end. That’s about it.

That is a good way to begin. Often I don’t because a prayer will just be. “Oh, God, thank you for that sunset.” “Oh, God please help me.” No introductory prayer - just a simple prayer of thanksgiving or petition

.

 

[Errham]

The only prayer we do before praying is, while making the sign of the cross, “In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” and again at the end. That’s about it.

I do actually remember one of the pamphlets that came with the LOTH set including a prayer to be said before reciting the offices. So they’re definitely out there. I’m just not sure where.

 

[Gareth]

This is a really simple one from the morning and evening prayer of the sunday missal.

sign if the cross

“God help your people”
“Be with us as we pray”

there’s the " oh lord make haste to help us one as well. I think these are called invocations.

Cheers
Gareth

 

[Michael_Mayo]

APERI, Dómine, os meum ad benedicéndum nomen sanctum tuum: munda quoque cor meum ab ómnibus vanis, pervérsis et aliénis cogitatiónibus; intelléctum illúmina, afféctum inflámma, ut digne, atténte ac devóte hoc Offícium recitáre váleam, et exaudíri mérear ante conspéctum divínæ Majestátis tuæ. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.

O LORD, open Thou my mouth, that I may bless Thy holy name; cleanse my heart too from all vain, evil, or wandering thoughts. Enlighten mine understanding, kindle mine affections, that I may be able to say this Office meetly with attention and devotion, and may deserve to be heard before the presence of Thy divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dómine, in unióne illíus divínæ intentiónis, qua ipse in terris laudes Deo persolvísti, has tibi Horas (vel hanc tibi Horam) persólvo.

O Lord, in union with that divine intention wherewith Thou Thyself, while on earth, didst offer praises unto God, I offer these hours (or this hour) unto Thee.

sbconfraternity.org/prayers-before-and-after-the-divine-office/