There is always a very strong sacred connection between parents and children, which captures the clan attachment between ancestors and descendants. Even in the New Testament, the narrative begins only after the entire genealogy of the Son of God is prescribed, starting from Adam, the first person on Earth. First, the children are protected by their parents, and only then the raised sons and daughters become a support for the aged mother and father. It must be clearly remembered that the connection established over the centuries is unshakable and monumental.
First of all, you need to take care of the health of parents. After all, during their lives, each of the sons and daughters has the opportunity to repay his lifetime debt, which was accumulated at a time when parents, not sparing their strength and health, were engaged in the upbringing and care of their children. Of course, the religious tradition does not pass by and the requiem prayer rules for the deceased parents, but the most important task of the children is to take care of their most comfortable old age and the readiness to come to the rescue every minute of life.
And what can be more effective when caring for elderly parents than a sincere appeal to the Lord - our Savior - and to all his saints ?! Of course, the spiritual aspect of human life is more important than the material. Therefore, it is a fervent prayer for the health of parents and the wish of their longevity that seems to be the most effective means of caring for them.
Basic Concepts in Prayer for Parental Health
The basic rule of human life is based on its cyclical nature, in which parents first take care of their children, and then grown up children take their place in caring and caring for respected old age. Despite the relevance of the traditional problem of generations, praised by many classics of the literary genre, the Christian tradition has stood for centuries to protect the rights of the older generation.
Conflict situations between parents and children are objectively determined by the difference in the worldview of the current realities of life. However, a reasonable compromise and the basic rule of respect for minors to elders must act unconditionally. After all, no one is immune from erroneous decisions and errors. But with all this, descendants are obliged to respect and honor the elders on the basis that it was they who gave them the opportunity to live.
It is important to understand that a prayer request to the Lord and His saints for the health of parents has not only a direct meaning, addressed to their health and well-being, but also feedback in the form of softening the hearts of supplicants. After all, it is precisely the accumulated grievances and mutual reproaches that are the stumbling block in the relationship between parents and children. And in the case of prayer, these negative feelings are leveled by a bright feeling of love for one's neighbor.
In this context, it is worth recalling the words of Jesus Christ "Pray for your enemies", which are directly aimed at softening the hearts and cleansing the souls of supplicants. Despite the fact that mothers and fathers, of course, are not enemies, the principle laid down in this technique of purification itself works perfectly.
It is also important that sons and daughters may not always be near their mothers and fathers. And for the spiritual aspect due to sincere prayer, it does not matter what distance lies between them, since the supernatural nature of the relationship is not subject to the laws of spatial overcoming, but corresponds to the epithets of Omnipresence, Infinity and Omnipotence that are inherent in our Lord Jesus Christ.
An important strengthening of the prayer for the health of parents can also be the mention of grandparents in it, because the patrimonial ties with the ancestors are so fundamental that any immersion in their depth will bear precisely the nature of increasing the power of influence.
You can pray for the health of parents at any age. But you need to remember that this is only necessary for living parents. There are special prayer rules for deceased people!
Despite the miraculous nature of children's prayers for the health of their parents, it is also necessary to take practical care of them in the form of regular visits to them, help in everyday matters, including material and moral. The care and support of older relatives (especially parents) should also concern their interest in their opinions and advice on various everyday situations.
What prayers to use
There are many prayers for the health of parents in the Orthodox tradition. Of course, most often Orthodox Christians turn to the Lord: “Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I appeal to you for the health of your parents. Have mercy and help them cope with serious illnesses, and with ill ailments. Give them strength to pray for the righteous and prolong the years of life on the sinful Earth. Thy will be done. Amen. " Prayers can be found in any Orthodox prayer book, and in those moments when you really want to turn to God, but the words of prayer are erased from memory, and the prayer book is not at hand, you can turn to the Lord with your simple words. In this case, it is not specific words that are of greater importance, namely the purity of thoughts and the hot impulse of the heart corresponding to righteous motives.
The Orthodox prayer tradition has many thematic prayers from various Orthodox saints who are revered in our country. Most often, Orthodox Christians turn in their prayers for the health of their parents to the Mother of God, the Matron of Moscow, Nicholas the Wonderworker and other saints.
It is important to remember that the prayer appeal for the health of loved ones should be addressed to the Lord regularly enough, and not only during their illness.
Basic prayer rules
Prayers for the health of parents need to be said regularly and regardless of their current relationship. It is important to understand that even when parents deny the existence of God or their belonging to other religious concessions, you need to ask the Lord and His saints to help them. For a more correct attitude to prayer in this case, it is advisable to consult with a priest.
It is best to establish order for you to read the prayer for the health of your parents during the morning and evening readings of the prayer rules before the images. If when reading a prayer it is not possible to contemplate the image to which it is addressed, do not despair. After all, this holy paraphernalia only helps to tune in, but is not a panacea.
In addition, it is advisable to light a lamp or church candles when reading prayers. However, the most important thing is to stay in a calm mood and silence so that all thoughts are maximally focused on the words of prayer.
However, it is best to pray for the health of others in the church, where it is recommended to buy twelve candles in the church shop, order a prayer for health (name) and put candles (three each) in front of the images of Jesus Christ, Virgin Mary, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and Matrona of Moscow. Before each image, read “Our Father” three times and the prayer of a given saint.
