Prayer For Washing Hands
O God, I'm here to wash my hands,
Let me be mindful of the poor in our land.
For the sick, the suffering, for those in pain,
We raise a prayer, we call your name!
I know, dear Lord, that what we do
To the least of your people, we do unto you.
So I wash my hands as an act of love,
For the poor, the helpless, and for you above.
Dearest Beloved Fathers, Brethren and Sisters in the Lord,
As your Vladyka, I ask you very kindly to refer to the commandment to wash our hands during the Coronavirus and to assume our responsibility by washing and lifting our hands and hearts in dedication to God, in the hope that we live a life of goodness, kindness, giving and giving to others, especially those in need.
During these COVID-19 challenging days, when the Coronavirus continues to spread globally, we are instructed by health officials to often wash our hands, because washing our hands regularly is a win for everyone, except the germs. I suggest that this is also a time to sing the words from the Divine Liturgies of St. Basil the Great and St. John Chrysostom: Let us lift up our hearts! answering: We lift them up unto the Lord! Then we'll know that when we wash our hands for a sufficient length of time, we clean hands, but save lives.
My suggestion: sing a short prayer - everyone in their own way - expressing how we can use our hands to remind us of our responsibilities as citizens of this planet which we are privileged to live on together. An example:
As I wash my hands, I'm thinking of those affected by the Coronavirus, praying the Jesus prayer for their recovery. I commit myself to dedicate my hands to doing good for the world. So, let us lift our hands and hearts in prayer to God. Let us give charity. Let us pledge to use our hands and hearts to help others in physical need. Let us say prayers that can make a difference. The whole world is in our hands.
The virus goes beyond any specific faith and nationality. It impacts all of us in our Diocese of the USA, Canada and Australia. It is a reminder that we share this world with everyone around us.
Therefore, I beseech you to chant to the Holy Mother of God the Sixth song of the general Kathabasias Open my mouth: Come ye of divine minds, let us clap our (washed) hands, celebrating the most honorable Feast of the Theotokos, and glorify God Who was born of her - as a personal prayer each time you wash your hands.
Also, in the words of the Psalmist: "Lift your (washed) hands in holiness, and bless the Lord." (133:2).
Lord, I need you in my own strength, but only in the power of the Holy Spirit, who alone can take my heart and change me from the inside out to become more and more like Jesus. May I like Him walk in spirit and truth and help me to seek to do only those things that are pleasing in Your sight and honoring to Your holy name. Guide me into all truth and help me to lay aside all the hindrances of this world that deter my pursuit of You and Your wisdom. I ask this in the name of my precious Savior, Jesus Christ my Lord.
Blessed are you, O Lord, our God, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us through your commandments and has commanded us concerning the washing of hands
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
As I take up my hands
to wash them and
reassure my heart,
I pray for healing and wholeness
for the whole world.
I remember that every life
is unique and of infinite value:
from those living
on the most remote part of the globe
to those in our cities
to our neighbors and family members.
Let me use my hands for good
to help bring love
and compassion to others.
Let us lift up
our hearts and hands
to the Eternal.
As we wash our hands
We pray,
Blessed is the Soul of the Universe,
Breathing us in and breathing us out.
May our breaths continue
And our health and the health of all
Be preserved
In this time of sickness and fear of sickness.
Holy Wholeness,
We take as much responsibility for this as we can
By observing the obligation to wash our hands
Thoroughly:
For as long as it takes to say this prayer.
Amen
Lord, I need you in my own strength, but only in the power of the Holy Spirit, who alone can take my heart and change me from the inside out to become more and more like Jesus. May I like Him walk in spirit and truth and help me to seek to do only those things that are pleasing in Your sight and honoring to Your holy name. Guide me into all truth and help me to lay aside all the hindrances of this world that deter my pursuit of You and Your wisdom. I ask this in the name of my precious Savior, Jesus Christ my Lord.