Elder Sofian: Prayer to Saint John the Baptist
Teach us, O Saint, to forgive more, to pray more, to fast and to endure patiently, to humble ourselves more, and to witness Christ with all of our heart for all of our life.
Saint John the Baptist and Forerunner, pray to the Most Holy Trinity for all of the people on this earth. Intercede before our Saviour Jesus Christ for all who believe in Him and wait on Him with hope in His mercy. Pray to God, with your boldness as a Prophet, Martyr, Apostle, Baptizer, and Forerunner, for the Church and our nation, that we may be freed from all evil and all danger.
Pray to Christ, Saint John the Baptist, for our bishops and flocks, for our leaders and citizens, for priests and monks, for the healthy and the sick, for the poor and the wealthy, for the courageous and the fearful, for the pure and the impure, for those who fast and those who do not fast, for those who pray and those who do not pray, for the good and for the bad; that He save some by His judgment, and to others He show mercy.
Pray to God for parents who do not have children and for children without parents; for mothers who wish to have children and those who hate their children; for those who do not know how to raise children in the fear of God and those who curse their children; for parents who destroy their children through their ugly way of life and for mothers who kill their children.
Saint John, pray to our Savior to forgive our trespasses, to comfort our hearts, to increase our faith, hope, and love, to multiply our courage, to banish fear from us, and to pour in our souls more light, love, wisdom, joy of a holy life, desire for God, mercy towards others, and care for salvation.
Teach us, Saint, to forgive more, to pray more, to fast and to endure patiently, to humble ourselves more, and to witness Christ with all of our heart for all of our life.
Saint John the Baptist, help us with your prayers that are well received by the Most Good God. Amen.
Doxastikon for Saint John the Baptist by the fathers of Schitul Lacu, Mount Athos: