Action Through Prayer

IOCC believes in the power of prayer, and your prayers matter. Please pray for all those in need.

Prayers

St. John Chrysostom“He who is able to pray correctly, even if he is the poorest of all people, is essentially the richest. And he who does not have proper prayer, is the poorest of all, even if he sits on a royal throne” —St. John Chrysostom

Through prayer, donors, volunteers and everyone working to support IOCC all have the power to be present around the globe. Prayer gives us the ability to offer the healing ministry of Christ and His life-giving message to our neighbors throughout the world.

The Apostle Paul commands prayer for all Christians without exception, and asks us to pray unceasingly. To aid you in this devotion, we offer the following prayers for people in need and suffering in our world.

Prayer for Those in Need

O Christ, Who alone art our Defender: Be mindful, O Lord, of the young and the old; orphans and widows; the sick and the suffering, the sorrowing and the afflicted, all captives, and the needy poor; upon them all send forth thy mercies, for thou art the Giver of all good things.

Prayer for Peace

Almighty God and Creator, You are the Father of all people on the earth. Guide, I pray, all the nations and their leaders in the ways of justice and peace. Protect us from the evils of injustice, prejudice, exploitation, conflict and war. Help us to put away mistrust, bitterness and hatred. Teach us to cease the storing and using of implements of war. Lead us to find peace, respect and freedom. Unite us in the making and sharing of tools of peace against ignorance, poverty, disease and oppression. Grant that we may grow in harmony and friendship as brothers and sisters created in Your image, to Your honor and praise. Amen.

For the Sick

O holy Father, heavenly Physician of our souls and bodies, who hast sent thine Only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ to heal all our ailments and deliver us from death: do thou visit and heal thy servants in our world who are sick, granting them release from pain and restoration to health and vigor, that they may give thanks unto thee and bless thy holy Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen

For Our 30th Year of Service

Almighty God, we thank you for the opportunity to come together as hierarchs, priests, deacons, and faithful Orthodox Christians on this anniversary.

You are the One who inspired the creation of IOCC with the instruction to help the “least of our brethren” wherever they may be in this world. By Your grace, You have guided our founders, our board members, our staff in the United States and abroad, our volunteers, and our donors for the last 30 years. We ask You to continue to watch over them and to pour out Your blessings on them. Keep their love for each other and for those we help undiminished.

In this troubled world, grant peace and hope to those in crisis and need through our hands. They are extended on behalf of the faithful in this land. Protect them and us in our common labors.

You are the source of all the blessings that we share. You are the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and You send us the Holy Spirit as our Comforter. To You we give all glory, honor, and worship. Amen.