In Orthodox spiritual practice, prayer occupies an important place in human life. She is a means of appeal to God, the Virgin or saints. Cathedral prayer is recognized as especially strong, one of which is prayer by agreement.
In the spiritual Orthodox tradition, prayers of thanks, repentance and prayer are distinguished. There are many prayers that allow a person to thank God for the good deeds, ask for forgiveness for their deeds, and also ask for help in any physical and mental needs. Often, it is prayer prayers that take place in a person’s life at a time when people are urgently needing something.
In Orthodox practice, there is the concept of prayer by agreement, that is, such prayer, which is carried out by a group of people at one time. At the same time, there can be from a few people to several hundred people. It is noteworthy that, by convention, prayer is performed in different parts of the world. The main thing in such a prayer is the simultaneous offering of prayer to the Lord. This prayer is conciliar and has great spiritual strength. The Lord Himself in the Gospel proclaimed to people that if the latter decide to gather in His name, then Christ Himself will be invisibly present among the worshipers.
Many Orthodox prayer books contain a specific prayer text by agreement. A request is inserted into such a prayer in a certain place. The petitions may be different. For example, very often a prayer by agreement is performed during natural disasters, military operations, health is sought for a person, healing from an illness, overcoming various family and other tribulations.
By agreement, prayer can be read by believers both in the church (at a certain agreed time) and at home. Often in many parishes a special time is set for the beginning of such a prayer. Sometimes a prayer with a specific request is performed by a priest. Also, by convention, prayer can be read privately, that is, at home by the laity themselves.
Having agreed on prayer by agreement, believers can read canons, akathists, prayers for the sick, traveling, in getting rid of the ailment of drunkenness, or other prayers, after which it is useful to read the “prayer by agreement” itself. It is also worth mentioning that the laity who wish to take on the feat of prayer by agreement should first receive the priest’s blessing for this.
Prayer by agreement can be read both one day, and a certain period of time. In this case, the Church does not limit a person to a certain time frame, but it all depends on the needs and zeal of believers.
