Prayerful Sighs of Parents for Their Children (A Mother’s Prayer)
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, through the prayers of Thy most pure Mother, hear me, Thine unworthy servant (name). O Lord, under the merciful dominion of Thy power are my children, Thy servants (names). Have mercy on them and save them for Thy name’s sake. O Lord, forgive them all their transgressions, voluntary and involuntary, committed before Thee. O Lord, guide them on the true path of Thy commandments, and enlighten their minds with the light of Christ, for the salvation of the soul and the healing of the body. O Lord, bless them at home, at school, on the road and in every place of Thy dominion. O Lord, keep them under Thy holy protection from the flying bullet, the arrow, the sword, poison, fire, deadly wounds and sudden death. O Lord, fence them about from all enemies visible and invisible, from every trial, evil and misfortune. O Lord, heal them of every sickness, cleanse them from every defilement, and ease their spiritual sufferings. O Lord, grant them the grace of Thy Holy Spirit all the days of their life, health and chastity in all piety, and love in peace towards those near and far. O Lord, increase and strengthen the gifts of mind and the powers of body given them by Thee, and grant Thy blessing upon their God-fearing and, if it be pleasing to Thee, family life and unashamed child-bearing. O Lord, grant me, Thine unworthy and sinful servant (name), a parent’s blessing upon my children and Thy servants in this present morning, day and night, for Thy name’s sake; for Thy kingdom is eternal, all-powerful and almighty. Amen.
O God, Creator of all creatures, Thou hast made me worthy of motherhood in a family; Thy goodness hath granted me children, and I dare to say: they are Thine, for from Thee they have their being, and Thou didst quicken them with an immortal soul, and didst bring them to new birth through baptism for life according to Thy will; Thou didst adopt them and set them in the bosom of Thy Church. Send down upon me Thy gracious help to bring them up to the glory of Thy name. Grant me for this patience and strength. Teach me how to plant in their hearts the root of wisdom — the fear of the Lord — that all the days of their life they may tremble at Thy words. Open the senses of their minds to understand Thy law, and to the evening of their life may they act with the sense of Thine omnipresence. Pour into their hearts an aversion to all iniquity, that they may walk blamelessly in their ways. O Judge of righteousness, who punishest children for the sins of the parents, punish them not for my sins, but rain upon them the dew of Thy grace. O Heavenly Father, direct the lot of my children by Thy blessing; deprive them not of their daily bread all their days, and send down all that is needful in its season, that they may find eternal blessedness. Be merciful to them in their sins; regard not the sins of their youth and ignorance; chasten them and have mercy on them, but put them not away from Thy face. Turn not Thy face from them when they are afflicted, lest trials beyond their strength overtake them. Pour out Thy mercy, that Thine angel may walk with them and guard them. Forsake not my children, O Lord, but grant them what is profitable for salvation. Amen.
O most holy Lady, Virgin Theotokos, save and keep my children (names) under thy protection, and also all children and infants, baptised and nameless, and those still in their mother’s womb. Cover them with the protection of thy motherhood, keep them in the fear of God and in obedience to their parents; entreat my Lord and thy Son to grant them what is profitable for their salvation. I entrust them to thy motherly care, for thou art the divine protection of thy servants. Amen.
