Fasting and prayers before Communion

Until this year, I had confessed and received communion only once in my life, in adolescence. I recently decided to take communion again, but forgot about fasting, prayers, confession... What should I do now?

According to the canons of the Church, before communion it is mandatory to abstain from intimate life and take communion on an empty stomach. All the canons, prayers, fasting are simply means to tune yourself into prayer, repentance and the desire to improve. Even confession, strictly speaking, is not obligatory before communion, but this is the case if a person regularly confesses to one priest, if he has no canonical obstacles to communion (abortion, murder, going to fortune-tellers and psychics...) and there is the blessing of the confessor is not always necessary to confess before communion (for example, Bright Week). So in your case, nothing particularly terrible happened, and in the future you can use all these means of preparing for communion.

How long should you fast before communion?

Strictly speaking, the Typikon (rules) states that those who wish to receive communion must fast for a week. But, firstly, this is a monastic charter, and the “Book of Rules” (canons) contains only two necessary conditions for those wishing to receive communion: 1) the absence of intimate marital relations (not to mention fornication) on the eve of communion; 2) the sacrament must be taken on an empty stomach. Thus, it turns out that fasting before communion, reading the canons and prayers, and confession are recommended for those preparing for communion to more fully induce a repentant mood. In our time, at round tables devoted to the topic of communion, priests came to the conclusion that if a person observes all four major fasts throughout the year, fasting on Wednesday and Friday (and this time takes at least six months a year), then for such a person it is enough Eucharistic fasting, i.e. taking communion on an empty stomach. But if a person has not gone to church for 10 years and has decided to take communion, then he will need a completely different format for preparing for communion. All these nuances must be agreed upon with your confessor.

Can I continue to prepare for communion if I had to break my fast on Friday: I was asked to remember a person and was given non-fast food?

Why are kakons written in Church Slavonic? After all, they are so difficult to read. My husband doesn't understand anything he reads and gets angry. Maybe I should read it out loud?

It is customary in the Church to conduct services in Church Slavonic. We pray in the same language at home. This is not Russian, not Ukrainian or any other language. This is the language of the Church. There are no obscenities or swear words in this language, and in fact, you can learn to understand it in just a few days. After all, he has Slavic roots. This is to the question of why we use this particular language. If your husband is more comfortable listening when you read, you can do that. The main thing is that he listens carefully. I advise you to sit down in your free time and analyze the text with a Church Slavonic dictionary in order to better understand the meaning of the prayers.

My husband believes in God, but somehow in his own way. He believes that it is not necessary to read prayers before confession and communion; it is enough to recognize your sins and repent. Isn't this a sin?

If a person considers himself so perfect, almost a saint, that he does not need any help in preparing for communion, and prayers are such help, then let him take communion. But he remembers the words of the Holy Fathers that we then receive communion with dignity when we consider ourselves unworthy. And if a person denies the need for prayers before communion, it turns out that he already considers himself worthy. Let your husband think about all this and with heartfelt attention, reading prayers for communion, prepare to receive the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

Is it possible to attend an evening service in one church and attend communion in the morning in another?

There are no canonical prohibitions against such practices.

Is it possible to read the canons and the order of communion during the week?

It is better to carefully, pondering the meaning of what you read, so that it is truly a prayer, distribute the recommended rule for communion over a week, starting with the canons and ending with prayers for communion on the eve of receiving the Mysteries of Christ, than to read it thoughtlessly in one day.

How to fast and prepare for communion while living in a 1-room apartment with non-believers?

The Holy Fathers teach that you can live in the desert, but have a noisy city in your heart. Or you can live in a noisy city, but there will be peace and quiet in your heart. So, if we want to pray, we will pray in any conditions. People prayed both in sinking ships and in trenches under bombing, and this was the prayer most pleasing to God. He who searches finds opportunities.

Children's Communion

When to give communion to a baby?

If the Blood of Christ is left in a special Chalice in churches, then such babies can be given Holy Communion at any moment, at any time, as long as there is a priest. This is especially practiced in big cities. If there is no such practice, then the child can be given communion only when the liturgy is celebrated in the church, as a rule, on Sundays and on major holidays. With infants, you can come to the end of the service and give him communion in the general manner. If you bring babies to the beginning of the service, they will begin to cry and thereby interfere with the prayer of the rest of the believers, who will grumble and be indignant at their unreasonable parents. Small amounts of drinking water can be given to a baby of any age. Antidor, prosphora is given when the child is able to consume it. As a rule, infants are not given communion on an empty stomach until they are 3-4 years old, and then they are taught to take communion on an empty stomach. But if a 5-6 year old child, out of forgetfulness, drank or ate something, then he can also be given communion.

The daughter has been receiving the Body and Blood of Christ since she was one year old. Now she is almost three, we have moved, and in the new temple the priest gives her only Blood. In response to my request to give her a piece, he made a remark about the lack of humility. Resign yourself?

At the level of custom, indeed, in our Church, infants under 7 years of age receive communion only with the Blood of Christ. But if a child is taught to receive communion from the very cradle, the priest, seeing the adequacy of the baby when he grows up, can already give the Body of Christ. But you need to be very careful and control so that the child does not spit out a particle. Usually, full Communion is given to infants when the priest and the baby get used to each other, and the priest is confident that the child will fully consume Communion. Try to talk with the priest once on this topic, motivating your request by the fact that the child is already accustomed to receiving both the Body and Blood of Christ, and then humbly accept any reaction from the priest.

What to do with clothes that a child has burped on after communion?

Part of the clothing on which the sacrament came into contact is cut out and burned. We patch the hole with some kind of decorative patch.

My daughter is seven years old and will have to confess before communion. How can I prepare her for this? What prayers should she read before communion, what should she do with the three-day fast?

The main rule in preparing for the reception of the Holy Sacraments in relation to young children can be concluded in two words: do no harm. Therefore, parents, especially the mother, must explain to the child why to confess and for what purpose to receive communion. And the prescribed prayers and canons should be read gradually, not immediately, perhaps even with the child. Start with one prayer, so that the child does not overwork, so that this does not become a burden to him, so that this coercion does not push him away. In the same way, with regard to fasting, limit both the time and the list of prohibited foods, for example, give up only meat. In general, first the mother needs to understand the meaning of the preparation, and then, without fanaticism, gradually teach her child step by step.

The child has been prescribed a course of vaccinations against rabies. He cannot drink alcohol for a whole year. What to do with the sacrament?

Believing that the sacrament is the best medicine in the universe, when we approach it, we forget about all restrictions. And according to our faith we will heal both soul and body.

The child was prescribed a gluten-free diet (no bread allowed). I understand that we eat the Blood and Body of Christ, but the physical characteristics of the products remain wine and bread. Is Communion possible without partaking of the Body? What does wine contain?

Once again I repeat that communion is the best medicine in the world. But, given the age of your child, you can, of course, ask that he be communed only with the Blood of Christ. The wine used for communion may be real wine, made from grapes with added sugar for strength, or it may be a wine product consisting of grapes with the addition of ethyl alcohol. You can ask the priest what kind of wine is used in the church where you receive communion.

Every Sunday they gave the child communion, but the last time, when approaching the Chalice, he began to have a terrible hysteria. The next time, in another temple, everything happened again. I'm desperate.

In order not to aggravate the child’s negative reaction to communion, you can try simply entering the church without receiving communion. You can try to introduce the child to the priest, so that this communication will smooth out the child’s fear, and over time he will again begin to partake of the Body and Blood of Christ.

Communion on Easter, Bright Week, and last weeks

Is it necessary to observe a three-day fast, read the canons and follow in order to receive communion on Bright Week?

Starting from the night liturgy and throughout all the days of Bright Week, communion is not only permitted, but also commanded by the 66th rule of the Sixth Ecumenical Council. Preparation these days consists of reading the Easter Canon and going to Holy Communion. Starting from the week of Antipascha, one prepares for communion as during the whole year (three canons and succession).

How to prepare for communion during continuous weeks?

The Church, like a loving mother, takes care not only of our soul, but also of our body. Therefore, on the eve of, for example, the rather difficult Lent, it gives us some relief in food through a continuous week. But this does not mean that we are forced to eat more fast food these days. That is, we have a right, but not an obligation. So, prepare as you wish for communion. But remember the main thing: first of all, we prepare our soul and heart, cleansing them with repentance, prayer, reconciliation, and the stomach comes last.

I heard that one can receive communion on Easter, even if one has not fasted. Is it true?

There is no special rule that allows communion on Easter without fasting and without preparation. The answer to this question must be given by the priest after direct communication with the person.

I want to take communion on Easter, but I ate soup with non-Lenten broth. Now I'm afraid that I can't receive communion. What do you think?

Remembering the words of John Chrysostom, which are read on Easter night, that those who fast do not condemn those who do not fast, but we all rejoice, you can boldly approach the sacrament of communion on Easter night, deeply and sincerely realizing your unworthiness. And most importantly, bring to God not the contents of your stomach, but the contents of your heart. And for the future, of course, we must strive to fulfill the commandments of the Church, including fasting.

During communion, the priest in our church scolded me for not coming to communion on the days of fasting, but coming on Easter. What is the difference between communion at Easter service and “ordinary” Sunday?

You need to ask your father about this. For even the canons of the Church welcome communion not only on Easter, but throughout Holy Week. No priest has the right to prohibit a person from receiving communion at any liturgy, if there are no canonical obstacles to doing so.

Communion of the elderly and sick people, pregnant and nursing mothers

How to properly approach communion for the elderly at home?

It is advisable to invite a priest to visit sick people at least during Lent. It wouldn't hurt to add it to other posts either. Mandatory during an exacerbation of the disease, especially if it is clear that things are heading towards death, without waiting for the patient to fall into unconsciousness, his swallowing reflex disappears or vomiting. He must be of sound mind and memory.

My mother-in-law recently fell ill. I suggested inviting the priest home for confession and communion. Something was stopping her. Now she is not always conscious. Please advise what to do.

The Church accepts a person’s conscious choice without forcing his will. If a person, being in memory, wanted to begin the sacraments of the Church, but for some reason did not do this, then in case of clouding of his mind, remembering his desire and consent, it is still possible to make such a compromise as communion and unction (this is how we give communion infants or the insane). But if a person, being of sound consciousness, did not want to accept the sacraments of the church, then even in the event of loss of consciousness, the Church does not force the choice of this person and cannot give him communion or unction. Alas, it is his choice. Such cases are considered by the confessor, directly communicating with the patient and his relatives, after which a final decision is made. In general, of course, it is best to clarify your relationship with God in a conscious and adequate state.

I am diabetic. Can I take communion if I took a pill and ate in the morning?

In principle, it is possible, but if you wish, you can limit yourself to a pill and take communion at the first services, which end early in the morning. Then eat to your health. If you absolutely cannot go without food for health reasons, then discuss this in confession and take communion.

I have a thyroid disease, I can’t go to church without drinking water and having a snack. If I go on an empty stomach, it will become bad. I live in the provinces, the priests are strict. It turns out I can’t take communion?

If this is required for medical reasons, there are no prohibitions. In the end, the Lord looks not into the stomach, but into the heart of a person, and any competent, sane priest should understand this perfectly well.

For several weeks now I have not been able to take communion due to bleeding. What to do?

This period can no longer be called a normal female cycle. Therefore it is already a disease. And there are women who experience similar phenomena for months. Moreover, not necessarily for this reason, but for some other reason, during such a phenomenon, the death of a woman may occur. Therefore, even the rule of Timothy of Alexandria, which prohibits a woman from receiving communion during “women’s days,” nevertheless, for the sake of mortal fear (threat to life), allows communion. There is an episode in the Gospel when a woman suffering from bleeding for 12 years, wanting healing, touched the robe of Christ. The Lord did not condemn her, but on the contrary, she received recovery. Considering all of the above, a wise confessor will bless you to receive communion. It is quite possible that after such Medicine your bodily ailment will be healed.

Is preparation for confession and communion different for pregnant women?

For military personnel participating in hostilities, their service life is considered to be three years. And during the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet army even gave front-line soldiers 100 grams, although in peacetime vodka and the army were incompatible. For a pregnant woman, the time of bearing a child is also “war time,” and the Holy Fathers understood this very well when they allowed relaxation in fasting and prayer for pregnant and lactating women. Pregnant women can also be compared to sick women - toxicosis, etc. And the rules of the church (29th rule of the holy apostles) for the sick also allow a relaxation of fasting, up to its complete abolition. In general, each pregnant woman, according to her conscience, based on her state of health, determines the extent of fasting and prayer. I would recommend taking communion as often as possible during pregnancy. The prayer rule for communion can also be done while sitting. You can also sit in the church; you can come before the beginning of the service.

General questions about the sacrament

In recent years, after Sunday liturgy, I have started to have severe headaches, especially on communion days. With what it can be connected?

Similar cases in various variations occur quite often. Look at all this as a temptation in a good deed and, naturally, continue to go to church for services without succumbing to these temptations.

How often can you receive communion? Is it necessary to read all the canons before communion, fast and confess?

The purpose of the Divine Liturgy is the communion of believers, that is, bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ so that they can be eaten by people, and not just by the serving priest. In ancient times, a person who was at the liturgy and did not take communion was then obliged to give an explanation to the priest why he did not do so. At the end of each liturgy, the priest, appearing at the Royal Doors with the Chalice, says: “Approach with the fear of God and faith.” If a person receives communion once a year, then he needs a preliminary week-long fast in food, and canons with prayers, and if a person observes all four major fasts, fasting every Wednesday and Friday, then he can receive communion without additional fasting, fasting the so-called Eucharistic fast , i.e., take communion on an empty stomach. As for the rule for communion, we must realize that it is given in order to evoke repentant feelings in us. If we often take communion and we have this feeling of repentance and it is difficult for us to read the rule before each communion, then we can omit the canons, but it is advisable to still read the prayers for communion. At the same time, we must remember the words of St. Ephraim the Syrian: “I am afraid to receive communion, realizing my unworthiness, but even more so - to be left without communion.”

Is it possible to receive communion on Sunday if you did not attend the all-night vigil on Saturday because of obedience to your parents? Is it a sin not to go to church on Sunday if your family needs help?

The best answer to such a question will be given by a person’s conscience: was there really no other way out not to go to service, or is this an excuse to skip prayer on Sunday? In general, of course, it is desirable for an Orthodox person, according to God’s commandment, to attend divine services every Sunday. Before Sunday, it is generally advisable to be at the Saturday evening service, and especially before communion. But if for some reason you were unable to attend the service, and your soul longs for communion, then, realizing your unworthiness, you can receive communion with the blessing of your confessor.

Is it possible to take communion on a weekday, that is, after communion, go to work?

You can, at the same time, protect the purity of your heart as much as possible.

How many days after communion do you not make bows or bows to the ground?

If the liturgical regulations (during Lent) prescribe prostrations to the ground, then starting from the evening service they can and should be made. And if the charter does not provide for bows, then on the day of communion only bows from the waist are performed.

I want to take communion, but my father’s anniversary falls on the day of communion. How to congratulate your father without offending him?

For the sake of peace and love, you can congratulate your father, but do not stay long at the holiday, so as not to “spill” the grace of the sacrament.

Father refused to give me communion because I had makeup on my eyes. Is he right?

Probably, the priest considered that you are already a mature enough Christian to realize that they go to church not to emphasize the beauty of their body, but to heal the soul. But if a beginner has come, then under such a pretext it is impossible to deprive him of communion, so as not to scare him away from the Church forever.

Is it possible, by taking communion, to receive a blessing from God for some matter? A successful job interview, IVF procedure...

People take communion for the healing of soul and body, expecting through communion to receive some kind of help and God's blessing in good deeds. And IVF, according to church teaching, is sinful and unacceptable. Therefore, you can take communion, but this does not mean at all that this communion will help in the unpleasing task you have planned. Communion cannot automatically guarantee that our requests will be fulfilled. But if we generally try to lead a Christian lifestyle, then, of course, the Lord will help us, including in earthly matters.

My husband and I go to confession and communion in different churches. How important is it for spouses to receive communion from the same Chalice?

No matter in which Orthodox canonical church we receive communion, all the same, by and large, we all receive communion from the same Chalice, consuming the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It follows from this that it does not matter at all whether spouses receive communion in the same church or in different ones, for the Body and Blood of the Savior are the same everywhere.

Prohibitions for communion

Can I go to communion without reconciliation, for which I have neither the strength nor the desire?

In the prayers before communion there is a kind of announcement: “Although, O man, the Lord’s Body, first reconcile you to those who have grieved you.” That is, without reconciliation, a priest cannot allow a person to receive communion, and if a person decides to arbitrarily receive communion, then receiving communion will be his own condemnation.

Is it possible to receive communion after desecration?

You can’t, you are only allowed to taste the prosphora.

Can I receive communion if I live in an unmarried civil marriage and confessed my sins on the eve of communion? I intend to continue such a relationship, I’m afraid, otherwise my beloved will not understand me.

It is important for a believer to be understood by God. But God will not understand us, seeing that people’s opinions are more important to us. God wrote to us that fornicators will not inherit the Kingdom of God, and according to the canons of the Church, such a sin excludes a person from communion for many years, even if he reforms. And the cohabitation of a man and a woman without registration in the registry office is called fornication, this is not a marriage. People who live in such “marriages” and take advantage of the condescension and kindness of their confessor actually expose them very much to God, because the priest has to take on their sin if he allows them to receive communion. Unfortunately, such promiscuous sex life has become the norm of our time, and shepherds no longer know where to go, what to do with such flocks. Therefore, have pity on your priests (this is an appeal to all such prodigal cohabitants) and legitimize your relationship at least in the registry office, and if you are mature, then receive a blessing for marriage through the sacrament of wedding. You need to make a choice what is more important to you: the eternal fate of your soul or temporary bodily consolations. After all, even confession without the intention to improve in advance is hypocritical and resembles going to the hospital without the desire to be treated. Let your confessor decide whether to admit you to communion or not.

The priest imposed penance on me and excommunicated me from communion for three months because I had an affair with a man. Can I confess to another priest and receive communion with his permission?

For fornication (intimacy outside of marriage), according to the rules of the Church, a person can be excommunicated from communion not for three months, but for several years. You do not have the right to cancel the imposed penance from another priest.

My aunt read her fortune on a nut and then confessed. The priest forbade her to receive communion for three years! What should she do?

According to the canons of the Church, for such actions (in fact, involvement in the occult), a person is excommunicated from communion for several years. So everything that the priest you mentioned did was within his competence. But, seeing sincere repentance and a desire not to repeat anything like this again, he has the right to reduce the period of penance (punishment).

I have not yet completely gotten rid of my sympathy for Baptistism, but I want to go to confession and receive communion. Or should I wait until I am completely confident in the truth of Orthodoxy?

Anyone who doubts the truth of Orthodoxy cannot begin the sacraments. So try to be completely established. For the Gospel says that “it will be given to you according to your faith,” and not according to formal participation in the sacraments and rites of the church.

Communion and other sacraments of the Church

I was invited to be the child's godmother. How long before baptism should I take communion?

These are not related sacraments. In principle, you should receive communion constantly. And before baptism, think more about how to be a worthy godmother who cares about the Orthodox upbringing of the person being baptized.

Is it necessary to confess and receive communion before unction?

In principle, these are unrelated sacraments. But since it is believed that in unction, forgotten and unconscious sins that are the cause of human illnesses are forgiven, there is a tradition that requires us to repent of those sins that we remember and know, and then collect unction.

Superstitions about the sacrament of communion

Is it possible to eat meat on the day of communion?

A person, when going to see a doctor, takes a shower, changes his underwear... Similarly, an Orthodox Christian, preparing for communion, fasts, reads the rules, comes to services more often, and after communion, if it is not a fast day, you can eat any food , including meat.

I heard that on the day of communion you should not spit anything out or kiss anyone.

On the day of communion, any person eats food and does it with a spoon. That is, in fact, and, oddly enough, by licking the spoon many times while eating, a person does not eat it with food :). Many people are afraid to kiss the cross or icons after communion, but they “kiss” the spoon. I think you already understand that all the actions that you mentioned can be performed after drinking the sacrament.

Recently, in one of the churches, before communion, the priest instructed those confessing: “Do not dare to approach communion for those who brushed their teeth or chewed gum this morning.”

I also brush my teeth before service. And you really don’t need to chew gum. When we brush our teeth, we take care not only of ourselves, but also that those around us do not smell an unpleasant odor from our breath.

I always approach communion with a bag. The temple worker told her to leave her. I got irritated, left my bag and took communion in a state of anger. Is it possible to approach the Chalice with a bag?

Probably the demon sent that grandmother. After all, the Lord does not care what we have in our hands when we approach the Holy Chalice, for He looks into a person’s heart. But, nevertheless, there was no need to be angry. Repent of this in confession.

Is it possible to contract any disease after taking communion? In the temple where I went, it was required not to lick the spoon; the priest himself threw the particle into his wide open mouth. At another church they corrected me that I was taking the sacrament incorrectly. But this is very dangerous!

At the end of the service, the priest or deacon consumes (eats) the remaining communion in the Chalice. And this despite the fact that in the absolute majority of cases (about what you wrote, this is the first time I’ve ever heard of a priest “loading” the sacrament into his mouth, like an excavator), people take communion by taking the sacrament with their lips and touching the spoon. I myself have been using the remaining Gifts for more than 30 years, and neither I nor any of the other priests have ever suffered from any infectious diseases after that. When going to the Chalice, we must understand that this is a Sacrament, and not an ordinary plate of food from which many people eat. Communion is not ordinary food, it is the Body and Blood of Christ, which in fact initially cannot be sources of infection, just as icons and holy relics cannot be the same source.

My relative says that communion on the day of the feast of St. Sergius of Radonezh is equal to 40 sacraments. Can the Sacrament of Communion be stronger on one day than on another?

Communion at any Divine Liturgy has the same power and meaning. And there can be no arithmetic in this matter. He who receives the Mysteries of Christ must always be equally aware of his unworthiness and be grateful to God, who allows him to receive communion.

An integral part of fasting is confession, that is, repentance. This is one of the Orthodox sacraments, when a person tells a church minister about his sins that he committed during his life. It is important to know how to prepare for confession, since without this it will be impossible to begin communion.

How to prepare for confession and communion?

There are several requirements that clergy speak about to people who want to receive communion.

1. The person must be an Orthodox Christian who has been baptized by a legitimate priest. In addition, it is important to believe and accept the Holy Scriptures. There are various books through which a person can learn about faith, for example, the Catechism.
2. When figuring out what you need to know before confession and communion, it is worth pointing out that it is necessary to remember evil deeds starting from the age of seven or from the moment of baptism, if this happened in adulthood. It is important to point out that you cannot mention the sins of others to justify your own actions.
3. A believer must make a promise to the Lord that every effort will be made to no longer make mistakes and do good.
4. In a situation where sin has caused damage to loved ones, then before confession it is important to make every possible effort to make amends for the committed act.
5. It is equally important to forgive existing grievances to people yourself, otherwise you should not count on the Lord’s condescension.
6. It is recommended to develop a habit for yourself every day, for example, before going to bed, to analyze the past day, bringing repentance before the Lord.

Fasting before confession

There are no direct prohibitions regarding whether it is possible to eat food before the sacrament of confession, but it is recommended to abstain from food for 6-8 hours. If you are interested in how to fast before confession and communion, then you must adhere to a three-day fast, as permitted products include: vegetables and fruits, cereals, fish, baked goods, dried fruits and nuts.

Prayers before confession

One of the important stages of preparation is reading prayer texts, and this can be done both at home and in church. With their help, a person carries out spiritual cleansing and prepares for an important event. Many Orthodox believers assure that in order to prepare for confession, it is important to read prayers, the text of which is clear and known, thanks to which you can get rid of disturbing thoughts and gain understanding of the upcoming ritual. The clergy assure that you can even ask for your loved ones who are about to confess and receive communion.

How to write down sins before confession?

Many people misunderstand the need to list their own sins, even using “lists.” As a result, confession turns into a formal listing of one’s own mistakes. The clergy allow the use of notes, but these should only be reminders and only if a person is really afraid of forgetting something. When figuring out how to prepare for confession, it is worth pointing out that it is important to understand the term “sin” as an act that is contrary to the will of the Lord.

There are several tips on how to write sins before confession in order to fulfill everything according to the existing canons.

1. First, you need to remember the offenses that concern the Lord, for example, lack of faith, using superstitions in life, turning to fortune-tellers and creating idols for yourself.
2. Rules before confession include indicating sins committed against oneself and other people. This group includes condemnation of others, neglect, bad habits, envy, and so on.
3. It is important when talking with clergy to discuss only your own sins, without inventing special church language.
4. When confessing, a person should talk about really serious things, and not about trifles.
5. When figuring out how to properly prepare for confession and communion, it is worth pointing out that a believer should try to change his life before going to an individual conversation in church. In addition, you need to try to live in peace with the people around you.

Is it possible to drink water before confession?

There are many prohibitions regarding such important and responsible events in the life of a believer, such as confession and. It is believed that, as a preparation, it is necessary to refrain from taking food and liquid for at least 6-8 hours. It is important to note that before confession, only people who need to wash down medications important for life are allowed to drink water. If a person drank water before communion, he should tell the clergyman about it.

Is it possible to smoke before communion and confession?

There are different opinions expressed by clergy on this topic.

1. Some believe that if a person smokes for a long time, it will be difficult for him to quit the bad habit, and there are cases when this is dangerous. In their opinion, cigarette addiction cannot be a reason for denial of confession and communion.
2. Other clergy, answering the question regarding whether it is possible to smoke before confession and communion, are categorical, arguing that if it is difficult for a person to abstain from tobacco before this important event, then it is difficult to talk about the triumph of the spirit over the body.

Is it possible to have sex before confession?

Many believers misunderstand it, considering it something dirty and sinful. In fact, sex is an integral part of a marital relationship. Many priests are of the opinion that husband and wife are free individuals, and no one has the right to enter their bedroom with their advice. Sex before confession is not strictly prohibited, but if possible, abstinence will be useful to maintain the purity of body and soul.

How to prepare for confession? what to talk about in confession?

Confession cleanses our heart and soul. But not everyone knows how to approach confession correctly. We'll talk about this further.

What words to start confession with, how does confession go?

Confession is a bath that washes the soul from sinful filth. It is not enough to simply admit your sin. You need to go to church and repent before God in confession.

If some do not understand why it is necessary to go to the temple, then one more example should be given. The church is like a hospital for the soul. But if we are sick in the body, then we visit the hospital? So it is with the soul, it is necessary to heal it in the church.

During confession, you come to church and listen to the words of the holy father, “Behold, child, Christ stands invisibly, accepting your confession...”. This is how the confession itself begins.
Next, you bow your head over the lectern, the holy father covers you with stole, and you can already express what is in your soul. At this time, the index and middle fingers must be placed on the Gospel or cross.

After your words, the priest may ask you some questions and also clarify whether you repent of this sin. After you have repented, the rector of the temple reads a prayer of permission. Next you need to kiss the cross and the Gospel.

There are no formalities or obligations in preparing for confession. You don't have to say any specific words. In order to confess, you do not need to select a specific day or church holiday.

All you need is the call of your soul and the desire to cleanse yourself. Preparing for confession is the moment when you have analyzed your life and actions and realized that you are doing something wrong.

After confession, you can take a blessing from the priest. To do this, place your right hand on top of your left and say: “Father, bless.”

The priest makes the sign of the cross and places his hand on your palms. You need to kiss your father's hand. If after confession you plan to take communion, then also ask for a blessing for this.

How to prepare for confession for the first time?

Confession is perceived as reconciliation with the Lord. There is a priest present as a witness, to whom you reveal your sins. And he, in turn, prays for the forgiveness of your sins.

Before confession, you should remember several important rules:

• Realize your sins and repent sincerely. If you decide to come to confession, then you understand that you are doing something wrong in your life. Therefore, you should reconsider all the points that do not suit you and that you regret. Sincerely ask God for forgiveness for all sins and ask to cleanse your soul and mind from filth.
• Don't write huge lists. In this case, it’s as if you are simply reading the list without opening your soul. You can jot down briefly what you want to confess so you don’t forget. But you shouldn’t write the entire confession on paper.
• Confess only your sins. There is no need to say that you did something sinful in response to the sinful deed of a neighbor, relative or colleague. These are their sins for which you should not speak. Cleanse your soul and thoughts first.
• Don’t come up with any fancy words or phrases for your speech.. God accepts and loves us no matter what. And he certainly knows about your sins. Don't be shy about the priest either. Over the years of service, he has listened to a lot, so I certainly won’t be surprised by your words.
• If you have not gone to church for many years, then you should first confess this sin and talk about serious sinful deeds and thoughts. Wearing short clothes or watching TV during Lent can be said at the end. Because if there are more serious sins, it’s not so important to mention TV and clothes.
• Try to change your life before confession. You should not think that confession is an event after which you can continue to commit sinful acts. Change your life for the better. Let it be gradual and slow, but surely.
• Forgive and you will be forgiven. If you ask the Lord for forgiveness, then be ready to forgive the people with whom you are offended.

• Find out about the time of confession in the temple. If you come for the first time, then it is better not to choose days of major holidays. On such days there are usually a lot of people who want to confess. It’s better to choose a quieter day to have the opportunity for a full, leisurely confession.
• Before confession, it is advisable to read prayers of repentance. They can be found in prayer books.
• It is advisable to confess at least once a month. Then you will feel in good physical and mental tone.

What prayers should I read before confession and communion?

Before confession and communion, one should not only fast, but also prepare with prayer. The prayer before confession is the prayer of Simeon the Theologian. The prayer book also contains prayers of repentance, which are also recommended for reading.

Before communion:

• Fast 3 days before Holy Communion. Avoid meat and dairy products.
• Before the day of communion, visit the temple during the evening service.
• Read the rules before Holy Communion.
• From midnight until communion, do not eat or drink water.
• Come at the beginning of the liturgy, and not at the time of confession. It is important to be in church during the entire service.

Communion is necessary for both children and adults

To begin Holy Communion in the evening you need to read the canons:

• Repentant to Jesus Christ
• Prayer service to the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Guardian Angel

Also find troparia and songs for Holy Communion in the prayer book and read them.

Is it necessary to fast before confession, is it possible to eat before confession?

There is no need to fast before confession. Since you can confess at any time when your soul requires it, without thinking about what you ate before.

But before communion, a three-day fast is required. On these days you can consume:

• Vegetables and fruits
• Flour products
• Sweets (but don't overeat)
• Dried fruits and nuts

Confession - sins: listing for women and men

Sins have existed since the time of Adam and Eve. They are so varied that perhaps some do not even know that they are sinning. We offer you a list of sins that men and women can expose themselves to:

• Violated the rules of behavior in the temple.
• He complained about his life and those around him.
• Didn't perform prayers diligently.
• She did not abstain from carnal pleasures during pregnancy, as well as on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. I was with my husband during the days of fasting.
• Didn’t repent of sin right away.
• Commemorated the deceased with alcohol.
• He condemned and doubted his neighbors.
• Had (a) sinful dreams.
• Sinful (of) gluttony.
• He praised people, not the Lord.
• I was too lazy to go to church on Sundays.
• He deceived, he was a hypocrite, he was cowardly.
• He believed in omens and was superstitious.
• Concealed sins during confession.
• Wore clothes that were not modest, looked at other people's nakedness.

• I was ashamed to be baptized, and took off my cross when meeting people.
• I did not pray before eating food, I went to bed without prayer.
• He condemned the priests.
• Advised or had an abortion.
• Spent money on entertainment and events.
• Spoiled the water while swimming in the river from which they take drinking water.
• Visited fortune tellers.
• Sold and produced alcoholic beverages.
• Being unclean, I went to the temple.
• Telling sinful stories from the lives of close friends or relatives.
• He sinned (a) fornication and masturbation.
• Took contraceptives, contraceptives.
• Visited wicked places.
• Had intimacy with a person of the same sex.
• I was doing exercises in the morning and not reading prayers.
• On Sundays I went not to church, but to the forest or to the river.
• He was jealous of his wife (husband). I tried to kill my opponent with the help of healers.
• I dreamed about traveling.
• I bought lottery tickets, hoping to get rich.
• During breastfeeding, she had a relationship with her husband.
• Instead of prayer, I read magazines and watched TV.
• She prayed with her head uncovered (for men - in a headdress).
• Permitted (a) sinful relationship without being married.
• Had the sin of sodomy (connection with animals, with a blood relative).

This is just a short list of sins. There are 472 of them listed on the pages of spiritual books. Some of them are repeated or indicated with additional clarifications.

Teenage and childhood sins in confession: list

A child confesses from the age of seven. Until this time, communion without confession is allowed. For children and adolescents, during confession the following sins are expected to be indicated (if any, of course):

• I forgot about reading prayers in the morning and evening, as well as before and after meals.
• I did not prepare for confession.
• Rarely visited the temple.
• I didn’t know the basic prayers: Our Father, Creed, Virgin Mary, Rejoice.
• Didn't listen to parents and teachers.
• Raised his voice at elders.
• He fought and called children names.
• Didn't study lessons.
• Played gambling.
• Didn't go to confession after reaching 7 years old.
• Had fun on fast days.
• Applied tattoos to the body.
• He did not accustom his younger relatives to the word of God.
• Was not respectful towards his godmother or godfather.
• Stole or took without asking.
• Not being able to do it, I tried to draw icons.
• He did not live according to Divine laws.
• Smoked (a).

How to talk about handjob in confession?

All people are sinners, everyone has their own. Masturbation is also a sin. And it is necessary to repent of it. But very often a situation occurs that people who spoke about such a sin in confession continued to do so.

You should understand for yourself that you should get rid of the sin of masturbation. After the first confession about this sin, try not to succumb to temptation anymore. If willpower is not yet strong enough, then it is necessary to go to church for confession after each handjob.

Ask God to give you the strength to get rid of sin. Repent and talk to the priest. Don’t be embarrassed, the temple minister will listen and support you and give advice.

Confession is a means of cleansing the soul and an impetus to a new, correct life. If you feel spiritual heaviness or sorrow does not leave you, visit the temple. There you will find help and support for your soul. and at the same time you will find peace and good spirits.

Video: Where does confession begin?

Many Orthodox believers ask the priests in person, via the Internet, or ask their relatives: is it possible to brush your teeth before communion? But this is far from the only thing that not only beginners can ask. Churchgoers have a lot of questions. It is worth noting that there are a huge number of para-church myths and misconceptions.

This article briefly retells the answers of experienced and pious priests, and gives recommendations and useful advice to beginners.

What is Communion?

What does Christ say in the Gospel about Communion? On the eve of his terrible death on the cross, He gathers his disciples together and prepares a meal. There is bread and wine on the table. Christ says that in memory of Him they will drink wine and eat bread, since these are symbols of His blood and body.

To this day, liturgy is celebrated in churches and Holy Communion is prepared using bread and wine. The priests pray together with the parishioners with the words “For the offered Honest Gifts to the Lord, let us pray.”

What is actually meant by the bread and wine in the Holy Chalice? Prayers read before Communion at home are just as necessary for a Christian as those in church. Why is prayer needed? Because the Lord connects with precisely the person who calls him to himself.

What is Communion?

There are several pieces of evidence about how Communion is actually prepared and what is hidden underneath it from human eyes. One day a certain man came into the temple. The royal doors in the temple were open. The priests stood at the altar. Suddenly a man who came in saw the priest piercing the baby with a spear. He shouted to the whole temple: “Why are you killing the baby?” All the people standing in the temple turned around. No one could understand which baby we were talking about. In fact, the priest had a prosphora (small bread made from wheat flour and water) in his hands.

The Lord invisibly and endlessly sacrifices himself for the sake of people, but not materially, but spiritually. His actual crucifixion was seen almost 2000 years ago at Golgotha ​​in Jerusalem.

Let's return to the Gospel and to those lines where the Lord is at the Last Supper. He said: “From now on you will drink my blood (wine) and eat my body (bread) in memory of Me.” But even the apostles did not know how this would happen. Moreover, it is not given to us to know. This is a Divine secret. We can only take it seriously, and as it is, without a doubt. Therefore, the prayers read before Communion are very necessary, first of all for the person receiving communion.

Another living testimony:

In the city of Lanciano (Italy) to this day there is true proof that Communion is not just bread and wine. In the Catholic Church of Saint-Legotius in the 8th century, a priest doubted that Communion was a miracle. When he picked up a piece of bread, he saw something similar to muscle tissue. He looked into the Cup and saw that instead of wine there was blood. The priest screamed in horror. Then he realized that there was no doubt. The Lord proved to him that everything was for real. To this day, this miracle is located in Lanciano. Many pilgrims come to pray near such a shrine.

What does a Christian need before communion?

Of course, first of all, the belief that he will be given to taste not just bread and wine, but the body of Christ. Of course, such a meal is a miracle. The Lord gives a piece of himself to a sinful person. Therefore, one must approach Communion not only with fear, but also with faith. You can’t just receive communion like that.

How to treat?

Above we looked at two testimonies of the miracle of God. It is worth noting that during the Liturgy there is not only Jesus Christ in the altar, but also the Mother of God, Archangels, and saints.

It is not for nothing that the holy fathers said that the angels grieve because they do not receive communion. After all, they have no body, no need. They are already with God. And the Lord gave man such a great gift - to unite with Himself during Communion. Even if it is invisible.

*canon of repentance to the Savior;

*canon of prayer to the Mother of God;

*canon to the Guardian Angel;

*following to Holy Communion.

It is all these prayers, chants, kontakia that will help you prepare correctly to receive the Holy Gifts as they should be.

Fasting and Confession:

The priests say that you need to fast for at least 3 days. If a person is not a church member, rarely attends church, or sins, then he needs to prepare for almost a week. That is why the best option for such people is the Great Fast, the Nativity Fast, as well as Petrov and Uspensky. But this is why there is no need to choose periods of multi-day fasting. After all, what is more important is reconciliation with God, not convenience.

What should someone who rarely goes to church do before Communion?

Firstly, You definitely need to go to the priest for confession. When the priest receives penitents, you can find out in the temple that is closer to your home or that you want to visit. Be prepared for the fact that the priest may not allow you to receive Communion after confession. There could be a lot of reasons for this. Often, in order to be allowed to receive communion, you need to fast, repent, and visit the temple many times. After confession, you must definitely ask the priest whether he blesses you to approach the Holy Chalice or not. Often the priests themselves insist that the confessor receive communion. You need to take this advice.

What is the fast before communion?

If you are new or have not been to church for a long time, then be sure to go to the priest for confession. Usually during this sacrament many spiritual issues are resolved. Father will explain to you what to do, what to beware of, and when you can receive communion.

What is meant by fasting?

Meat and milk should not be eaten, eggs too. In addition, dishes, products, and drinks that contain the above products are not consumed. Remember that fasting should be spiritual in nature. Eat little food. For example, for breakfast - tea with oatmeal cookies or oatmeal porridge with water, for lunch - soup with vegetable broth, for dinner - vegetable salad and rice/potatoes.

Drinking before communion, as well as during fasting, is prohibited. It is also recommended to give up coffee. After all, the body should be a temple of the soul, a calm “home”, sober and cheerful. Meal food (not fasting), coffee and alcohol cannot in any way induce prayer.

Spiritual side:

Let's continue our conversation about fasting. We've sorted out the food. As for entertainment, watching movies, you need to put all this aside. Any unimportant matters must be replaced with prayers to God, the Most Holy Theotokos, your Guardian Angel and the saints.

Let's talk about what to read before Communion. Above we mentioned the canons and adherence to Holy Communion. In addition to them, it is recommended to read the Gospel and the Holy Fathers. Beware of taking near-church literature or that which is falsely Christian.

There is no need to fuss during fasting. If possible, put things off until later. They can wait. After all, earthly life is fleeting, but a faster needs to think about eternity.

Why such restrictions?

During the Liturgy, before the removal of the Holy Chalice, the choir sings that we (the parishioners) are leaving all earthly vanity. Not every (especially modern) person understands that sooner or later earthly life will end and everything that he worked so hard on will go into oblivion. After all, he will not be able to take his passport or favorite job, bank accounts or computer with valuable information with him into the afterlife. He will appear before God with his conscience, with his sins and virtues. The Lord will not ask if you were the general director, He will ask you to answer for offending your grandmother-client. God doesn't care if you had a Lexus. He will ask if you gave lifts to the infirm, the weak, without taking money from them.

Why are there restrictions on fasting in relation to entertainment?

The time has come to sit down at the table or stand in front of the icons and think: what bad have you done in your entire life, during this period.

Is your conscience clear?

It is more important for a Christian to know not about, for example, whether it is possible to brush your teeth before Communion, but about what sins actually exist and what repentance is, how not to sin. The Lord is upset when a person commits a sin even mentally. Just think: you are mentally angry, even your heart is numb. This is also a sin. You need to repent sincerely.

When are you not allowed to receive communion?

Do you know that you need to get rid of your sins? If you have repented, you should try to avoid sins. In order for a priest to be allowed to receive Communion, you must attend the evening service every Saturday, then at the Liturgy in the morning. The same should be done on major church holidays. You need to read morning and evening prayers at home according to the Prayer Book. Of course, this takes 20-30 minutes. If you don’t have time, then you can read the Seraphim’s Rule: “Our Father” three times, “Theotokos ...” three times and “Creed” once. But at the same time, during the day you need to silently pray to God and the saints. These are the most important rules.

They may not be allowed to receive Communion in such cases, for example:

*murder, abortion; divination, fortune telling, extrasensory perception, spiritualism, astrology;

*other faith, heretical views;

*cohabitation outside of marriage, debauchery, homosexuality, drug addiction and alcoholism, and so on.

During confession, the priest needs to tell the whole truth and not hide any sin. The Lord stands nearby invisibly, He knows everything, He just waits for heartfelt repentance. If you hide anything, it will be an even greater sin. You need to completely cleanse your soul before Communion.

What do the holy fathers and priests say?

The human soul must be pure, bright, with hope for correction and for changing life for the better. You should not go to the Chalice if you are not sure that you want to live with God.

If the priest blessed:

When a priest gives a blessing, you should take it seriously. You should read not only the canon to the Mother of God before Communion, but also the canons to the Savior, Guardian Angel, and also the Follow-up. All this is in the Orthodox prayer books.

The reading volume is very large. Therefore, the canons can be read 2-3 days before communion, but the Consequence is read only the night before, after arriving from the church from the evening service.

You need to make sure that no one distracts you. If you take communion with your family, friends, or pilgrims, then take turns reading and praying.

Morning before Communion:

As Orthodox Christians know, they cannot eat anything in the morning before Communion. You are not even allowed to take medicine.

But is it possible to brush your teeth before Communion?

There is no ban on this. If you are sure that you will not accidentally swallow water or toothpaste, you can brush your teeth.

If your stomach is sick and you can’t wait long until noon, then it’s better to go to early service. In small towns and villages, the Liturgy is served early, and in big cities - at 7 am or 9-10 am.

For the sake of union with God, one can endure. It is worth reading prayers to yourself.

The morning before Communion is always exciting. You need to prepare yourself mentally. After reading the morning rule, go to church at least half an hour before the Liturgy to calmly submit notes, light candles, and approach your favorite saints.

Before Communion itself:

During the service you should listen carefully to prayers. When the priests prepare Communion, pray that you may receive the Blood and Body of Christ with dignity. At the same time, a pious person must sincerely consider himself unworthy of such a Gift.

Remember the Canon to the Mother of God before Communion: we need to pray that the Mother of God will intercede for us sinners. What does the canon of Jesus Christ say? We repent to the Lord of our sins. Remember this when you are waiting for Communion.

The very moment of Communion:

When the Royal Doors open and the priest comes out with the Chalice, you need to bow to the ground. Then stand in line with your arms crossed over your chest. When you approach the Chalice, you need to tell the priest your Orthodox name and open your mouth wide. The communion should be swallowed immediately so that the part does not get stuck in the teeth. Accept the warmth and prosphora. Many people ask: “Can I eat before Communion?” Do you know why the answer is no? Because the Lord must enter the body of a Christian first. After all, God is more important to us, not food.

WHAT TO SAY AT CONFESSION?

Quite often those who decide to go to church for this sacrament for the first time think about what needs to be said in confession.

It is important to understand that confession is not just an intimate conversation with a priest, but a religious ceremony aimed primarily at repentance.

In confession, complete determination to correct your life is important. Realizing that it has become difficult for you to live because of committing some sin or even several is the first step towards correction. Only after this complete understanding should one sign up for confession.

In some situations, not only repentance after committing a sin can become a reason to go to confession. If it is difficult for you to distinguish good from bad, or life seems useless and painful, you can also come to confession, because the church is always open to those who need it.

What sins to talk about in confession:

One of the main mistakes of people who come to confession is to list all their sins throughout their lives. It is extremely important to highlight exactly what you came for. Sin is an act against the church, God. This is a kind of violation of morality - one's own, someone else's, public. In Christianity, there are eight mortal sins, the commission of which carries serious consequences for a person - anger, sadness, gluttony, fornication, despondency, vanity, pride and love of money. In addition, there are personal sins - these are various actions against conscience and God. As a rule, some sins can only be determined by a person himself; they are not written down in any holy book. A sin can be an action that burdens your life in every possible way.

It doesn't matter what you come to church with. In confession, the main thing is complete repentance and internal understanding of what has been done.

What to say to the priest during confession:

Confession in Orthodoxy, as in most other religions, is a conversation with God about your misdeeds, a request for help. The priest serves only as a witness to this conversation, as an assistant to God on earth.

Therefore, in confession it is important to be extremely frank and not hide anything about what is bothering you. It is especially important to tell what worries you most at the moment, without forgetting about the little things and details of the offense for which you want to repent.

You can trust a priest with your biggest secrets, because he has no right to tell anyone about your confession. Remember that you do not need to be afraid of condemnation from the church; the very fact that you came to repentance is already a worthy act of a believer.

Important to remember What to say in confession about a sin for which you have already confessed is not necessary if it was not committed again. And, often, confession alone will not be enough. You need to ask God in prayers for forgiveness, come to church as soon as you want, and honor traditions and rituals.

The Church advises that confession, like communion, should be regular. Your confessor will be able to tell you about the frequency of confession. Remember that it is the clergyman who will be your main assistant in observing church rituals.

As you can see, confession is a very complex sacrament. Not every person is ready for it. If you decide to confess, then you need to weigh the pros and cons for yourself, and your soul will tell you what to say in confession. Remember that repentance and freeing yourself from committed sin is a long process that will require a lot of strength and patience from you.

INNER CONFESSION.

Diseases and other troubles do not fall on a person just like that. Man is a cosmic being and develops according to the laws of not only the material, but also the spiritual world. If these laws are violated, illness or some tragic circumstances arise that pose a threat to life.

It is enough to eliminate these violations, and everything in your life will return to normal. This is exactly what internal confession helps to do.

Confession consists of two parts:

Part one: you must remember all the times when someone seriously offended or insulted you. After all, resentment is a source of continuous supply of negative mental energy.

Calmly remember your past life from the age of 12 (it is from this age that a person begins to bear karmic responsibility for his actions). The offender (even if this person has died) must be imagined mentally, and then hugged and kissed tightly!

Sometimes the resentment reaches such strength that it is impossible to hug and kiss, even mentally. In such cases, the “enemy” can be imagined as an unintelligent child of 2-3 years old. But it is necessary to hug and kiss - this is an indispensable condition of the Rescue Mechanism!

Second part: Not only do you have enemies, someone, perhaps, considers you their enemy. It is possible that you yourself were a violator of moral truths.

In this case, imagine that you are in court, and the judge is your own heart. Kneel before him and tell him all your bad deeds, mistakes, vices since the age of 12. Say everything you remember, making sure that you will never do it again.

After all, by repenting, you remove all the negativity that has accumulated over the years. If the internal confession was carried out correctly and sincerely, then recovery and deliverance from troubles will occur in one hundred cases out of a hundred, regardless of the severity of the illness or the scale of the misfortune that has befallen you. It's only a matter of time.

After internal confession, try not to repeat previous mistakes - otherwise misfortune will return in double volume.

A single prayer that can be performed by anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs, will help you avoid this. This prayer, as practice shows, can reduce the temperature and relieve any pain in a matter of minutes.

The prayer must be done in solitude, with a lit candle, on your knees:

"God! Dear God!
Hallowed be Thy Name in Heaven and on Earth.
From the edge to the edge of the Universe!
God! Strengthen your strength in confronting the forces of darkness, so as not only to resist it, but also to cleanse Mother Earth of this garbage.
Teach us to separate good from evil and to remain in peace and firmness of spirit, in order to worthily do Your Will among people.
Strengthen the strength of my brothers and sisters - both close and unknown to me.
May they see Your true Glory and be filled with love in their hearts.
And they will overcome dark obstacles in moving along the Path to Light.
And let them stretch out their hands to each other and give the immense warmth of their souls.
God! May Your Will be done! And there will be One People on Earth.
Loving his Mother - Nature, reunited with You with his love and walking along the Path of True Spiritual Development, relying on Your Last Testament.”

IN THE MORNING: “Bless, Lord, the deeds of the coming day, and may its difficulties be met as befits those who walk under Your Light.”

IN THE EVENING: “Replenish, Lord, the lost strength for good, in order to prepare for meeting the day of the future.”

“I go to bed, I have the Cross Seal on me. Guardian Angels! Save my Soul from evening until midnight, and from midnight until morning.”

And the Lord's Prayer three times.

Prayer is the most powerful force in the Universe! The Bible says:

“Whatever you ask in prayer IN FAITH, you will receive.” (Matthew 21:22)"ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH MAY IT BE TO YOU" (Matt. 9:29).