Sacred Prayer Library
Beloved prayers and scripture passages, with their sources
Traditional texts are public domain, with their source and translation named. Entries marked “Original” were written by Lightkeepers and are not scripture. Indigenous ceremonial words are not reproduced.
39 prayer(s)
Traditional textThe Lord's PrayerChristian tradition · Matthew 6:9–13Read the prayer
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
- Attribution:
- Jesus of Nazareth, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew
- Source:
- Matthew 6:9–13
- Version:
- English: King James Version (1611). Spanish: Reina-Valera 1909. Both are public domain.
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Traditional textPsalm 23 — The Lord Is My ShepherdHebrew Scriptures / Christian tradition · Psalm 23Read the prayer
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
- Attribution:
- Attributed to King David
- Source:
- Psalm 23
- Version:
- English: King James Version (1611). Spanish: Reina-Valera 1909. Both are public domain.
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Traditional textPsalm 91 — Under the Shadow of the AlmightyHebrew Scriptures / Christian tradition · Psalm 91Read the prayer
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
- Attribution:
- A psalm of the Hebrew Bible
- Source:
- Psalm 91
- Version:
- English: King James Version (1611). Spanish: Reina-Valera 1909. Both are public domain.
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Traditional textThe BeatitudesChristian tradition · Matthew 5:3–12Read the prayer
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
- Attribution:
- Jesus of Nazareth, from the Sermon on the Mount
- Source:
- Matthew 5:3–12
- Version:
- English: King James Version (1611). Spanish: Reina-Valera 1909. Both are public domain.
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Traditional textPsalm 121 — I Will Lift Up Mine EyesHebrew Scriptures / Christian tradition · Psalm 121Read the prayer
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
- Attribution:
- A Song of Ascents of the Hebrew Bible
- Source:
- Psalm 121
- Version:
- English: King James Version (1611). Spanish: Reina-Valera 1909. Both are public domain.
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Traditional textThe Serenity PrayerChristian tradition, widely used across recovery and interfaith settingsRead the prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.
- Attribution:
- Short form widely attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr, 1930s
Note: Only the familiar short form is reproduced here; versions of it dated before 1934 are in common public use. The later long form remains under copyright and is not included. The Spanish text is a traditional rendering.
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Traditional textMake Me an Instrument of Your PeaceChristian traditionRead the prayer
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
- Attribution:
- Traditionally attributed to St. Francis of Assisi; first published anonymously in La Clochette (1912)
Note: Published in 1912, so the text itself is in the public domain. Its traditional attribution to St. Francis is a later legend, not historical.
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Traditional textNow I Lay Me Down to SleepTraditional English evening prayerRead the prayer
Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. Guide me safely through the night, and wake me with the morning light.
- Attribution:
- Traditional, first recorded in the 18th century
Note: This uses the gentler traditional variant. The Spanish text is a traditional rendering.
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Traditional textThe Three Refuges (Tisaraṇa)Buddhist — recited across Theravada and many other schoolsRead the prayer
Buddhaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi. Dhammaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi. Saṅghaṃ saraṇaṃ gacchāmi. I go for refuge to the Buddha. I go for refuge to the Dhamma (the teaching). I go for refuge to the Sangha (the community).
- Attribution:
- Traditional Pali formula from the early Buddhist canon
- Version:
- Plain literal rendering by Lightkeepers — not an authoritative translation
Note: Often recited three times. Wording and customs differ between schools; ask your teacher or temple.
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Traditional textDhammapada, verse 5 — Hatred ceases by loveBuddhist — Pali canon · Dhammapada 1:5Read the prayer
For hatred does not cease by hatred at any time: hatred ceases by love — this is an old rule.
- Attribution:
- Dhammapada, a collection of sayings attributed to the Buddha
- Source:
- Dhammapada 1:5
- Version:
- English: F. Max Müller (1881), public domain. Spanish: Lightkeepers rendering of Müller's English.
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Original LightkeepersLoving-kindness reflection (inspired by metta)Inspired by Buddhist metta practiceRead the prayer
May I be safe. May I be peaceful. May I be kind to myself. May you be safe. May you be peaceful. May you be free from suffering. May those I find difficult be safe and at peace. May all beings, near and far, be happy and at ease.
- Attribution:
- Original Lightkeepers composition
Note: Not a canonical text. Traditional metta phrases vary by school and teacher; the Karaniya Metta Sutta is a related canonical source.
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Original LightkeepersA mindful-breath intentionInspired by mindfulness of breathingRead the prayer
Breathing in, I know I am breathing in. Breathing out, I let my shoulders soften. This moment is enough to begin again. May my words and actions today cause no harm.
- Attribution:
- Original Lightkeepers composition
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Traditional textThe Shema (first lines)Jewish — central declaration of faith · Deuteronomy 6:4–5Read the prayer
Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
- Attribution:
- Torah, Book of Deuteronomy
- Source:
- Deuteronomy 6:4–5
- Version:
- English: Jewish Publication Society Tanakh (1917), public domain. Spanish: Reina-Valera 1909 (a Christian translation), public domain.
Note: Many Jews say it in Hebrew (Shema Yisrael…) and avoid pronouncing the divine name. Learn liturgical practice from your community or a siddur.
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Traditional textThe Priestly BlessingJewish (Birkat Kohanim), also used in Christian worship · Numbers 6:24–26Read the prayer
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee; The LORD make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
- Attribution:
- Torah, Book of Numbers
- Source:
- Numbers 6:24–26
- Version:
- English: JPS Tanakh (1917), public domain. Spanish: Reina-Valera 1909, public domain.
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Traditional textHail MaryCatholic and Orthodox traditionRead the prayer
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
- Attribution:
- Traditional; first part from Luke 1:28 and 1:42, final form fixed in the 16th century
Note: Traditional wording, centuries old and public domain.
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Traditional textGlory Be (Doxology)Christian traditionRead the prayer
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
- Attribution:
- Traditional doxology, early Church
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Traditional textAl-Fatiha — The OpeningIslamic — first chapter of the Qur'an · Qur'an 1:1–7Read the prayer
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful. Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds! The compassionate, the merciful! King on the day of reckoning! Thee only do we worship, and to Thee do we cry for help. Guide Thou us on the straight path, The path of those to whom Thou hast been gracious; — with whom thou art not angry, and who go not astray.
- Attribution:
- The Qur'an
- Source:
- Qur'an 1:1–7
- Version:
- English: J. M. Rodwell (1861), public domain. Spanish: Lightkeepers rendering of the meaning — not an authoritative translation.
Note: Muslims recite it in Arabic in every daily prayer; translations convey meaning only. For study, use a translation recommended by your community.
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Original LightkeepersA personal dua of trust (original)Written in the spirit of personal supplication (dua)Read the prayer
O Allah, You know what is in my heart better than I do. Grant me patience in what is hard, gratitude in what is good, and wisdom to choose what is right. Guide my steps today and make me gentle with the people around me. Ameen.
- Attribution:
- Original Lightkeepers composition
Note: Original wording, not a hadith or Qur'anic text.
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Traditional textThe Gayatri MantraHindu — Vedic · Rig Veda 3.62.10Read the prayer
Oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ tat savitur vareṇyaṃ bhargo devasya dhīmahi dhiyo yo naḥ pracodayāt May we attain that excellent glory of Savitar the God: So may he stimulate our prayers.
- Attribution:
- Rig Veda, hymn to Savitr
- Source:
- Rig Veda 3.62.10
- Version:
- English: Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896), public domain. Spanish: Lightkeepers rendering.
Note: Customs about who recites it and how vary between communities; some teach it through initiation.
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Traditional textAsato mā — Lead me from darkness to lightHindu — Upanishadic · Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 1.3.28Read the prayer
Asato mā sad gamaya Tamaso mā jyotir gamaya Mṛtyor mā amṛtaṃ gamaya Oṃ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ Lead me from the unreal to the real. Lead me from darkness to light. Lead me from death to immortality. Om, peace, peace, peace.
- Attribution:
- Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad
- Source:
- Bṛhadāraṇyaka Upaniṣad 1.3.28
- Version:
- Plain literal rendering by Lightkeepers — not an authoritative translation
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Traditional textMul MantarSikh — opening of the Guru Granth SahibRead the prayer
Ik Oankar, Sat Naam, Karta Purakh, Nirbhau, Nirvair, Akaal Moorat, Ajooni, Saibhang, Gur Prasaad. One Creator. Truth is the Name. Creative Being, without fear, without hate, timeless in form, beyond birth, self-existent, known by the Guru's grace.
- Attribution:
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji
- Version:
- Plain literal rendering by Lightkeepers — not an authoritative translation
Note: Shown in romanised Gurmukhi. Meanings are summarised; Sikh scholars translate some words differently.
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Traditional textNavkar (Namokar) MantraJain — the most widely recited Jain prayerRead the prayer
Ṇamo arihantāṇaṃ Ṇamo siddhāṇaṃ Ṇamo āyariyāṇaṃ Ṇamo uvajjhāyāṇaṃ Ṇamo loe savva-sāhūṇaṃ I bow to the Arihants (awakened teachers), to the Siddhas (liberated souls), to the Acharyas (spiritual leaders), to the Upadhyayas (teachers), and to all the monks and nuns in the world.
- Attribution:
- Traditional Prakrit text
- Version:
- Plain literal rendering by Lightkeepers — not an authoritative translation
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Traditional textTao Te Ching, chapter 8 — Like waterTaoist — classical text · Tao Te Ching 8Read the prayer
The highest excellence is like (that of) water. The excellence of water appears in its benefiting all things, and in its occupying, without striving (to the contrary), the low place which all men dislike. Hence (its way) is near to (that of) the Tao.
- Attribution:
- Attributed to Laozi
- Source:
- Tao Te Ching 8
- Version:
- English: James Legge (1891), public domain. Spanish: Lightkeepers rendering of Legge.
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Traditional textSigrdrífa's greeting — Hail, day!Old Norse poetry, used by many modern Heathens · Sigrdrífumál, stanzas 3–4Read the prayer
Hail, day! Hail, sons of day! And night and her daughter now! Look on us here with loving eyes, That waiting we victory win. Hail to the gods! Ye goddesses, hail, And all the generous earth! Give to us wisdom and goodly speech, And healing hands, life-long.
- Attribution:
- Poetic Edda, Sigrdrífumál
- Source:
- Sigrdrífumál, stanzas 3–4
- Version:
- English: Henry Adams Bellows (1923), public domain in the US. Spanish: Lightkeepers rendering.
Note: A poem from medieval Iceland, not a fixed liturgy; modern Heathen groups use it in their own ways.
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Original LightkeepersFull-moon gratitude (original)Written for modern Pagan and Wiccan-inspired practiceRead the prayer
Bright moon above, I pause beneath your light. I give thanks for what has grown this month, I release what no longer serves me, and I welcome what is ready to begin. May my path harm none and honour the earth.
- Attribution:
- Original Lightkeepers composition
Note: Not a traditional Wiccan liturgy; covens and solitary practitioners write their own.
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Original LightkeepersGratitude for the earth (original)Universal reflection — not from any Indigenous traditionRead the prayer
Thank you, water, for the life you carry. Thank you, soil, for the food that feeds me. Thank you, air and sun, for each new day. I will take only what I need and care for what I share.
- Attribution:
- Original Lightkeepers composition
Note: Indigenous ceremonial words belong to their communities and are not reproduced here.
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Original LightkeepersA self-compassion pause (original)Secular reflection inspired by self-compassion researchRead the prayer
This is a hard moment. Hard moments are part of being human; I am not alone in this. May I speak to myself as I would to a friend. What is one small kind thing I can do for myself now?
- Attribution:
- Original Lightkeepers composition
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Original LightkeepersEvening review (original)Secular reflectionRead the prayer
Three things that went well today… One moment I am proud of… One thing I can let go of before sleep… Tomorrow I begin again, rested.
- Attribution:
- Original Lightkeepers composition
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Traditional textMantraOm (Aum)Hindu, also used in Buddhist, Jain and Sikh contexts · Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 1Read the prayer
Om (A-U-M) Chanted slowly on the out-breath, often three times. The Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad describes it as standing for all that is: past, present, future and beyond.
- Attribution:
- Sacred syllable described in the Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad
- Source:
- Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad 1
Note: Treat the syllable with respect; many people avoid using it as decoration.
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Traditional textMantraOm Namaḥ ŚivāyaHindu — Shaiva devotionRead the prayer
Om Namaḥ Śivāya Meaning: "Om, I bow to Shiva" — often understood as bowing to the auspicious, or to one's own inner divinity.
- Attribution:
- The words namaḥ śivāya appear in the Śrī Rudram (Yajurveda); the five-syllable mantra is central in Shaiva practice
- Version:
- Meaning: plain literal rendering by Lightkeepers
Note: Commonly repeated with a mala (108 beads).
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Traditional textMantraOm Gaṃ Gaṇapataye NamaḥHindu — devotion to Ganesha, often chanted before beginningsRead the prayer
Om Gaṃ Gaṇapataye Namaḥ Meaning: "Om, (seed sound) Gam, salutations to Ganapati (Ganesha), lord of the people."
- Attribution:
- Traditional mantra; gaṃ is Ganesha's seed syllable, explained in the Gaṇapati Atharvaśīrṣa
- Version:
- Meaning: plain literal rendering by Lightkeepers
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Traditional textMantraMahā Mṛtyuñjaya MantraHindu — Vedic, addressed to Tryambaka (Shiva) · Rig Veda 7.59.12Read the prayer
Oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanam urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya māmṛtāt We worship the three-eyed One, fragrant, who nourishes all. As a ripe cucumber is freed from its vine, may we be freed from death, not from immortality.
- Attribution:
- Rig Veda
- Source:
- Rig Veda 7.59.12
- Version:
- Meaning: plain literal rendering by Lightkeepers
Note: Often chanted for wellbeing and at times of illness or grief. It is a devotional practice, not medical treatment.
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Traditional textMantraOṃ Maṇi Padme HūṃBuddhist — Tibetan and Mahayana, associated with Avalokiteśvara (Chenrezig)Read the prayer
Oṃ Maṇi Padme Hūṃ Often glossed as "the jewel in the lotus". Many teachers say its meaning cannot be reduced to a single translation; it is recited to cultivate compassion.
- Attribution:
- Traditional mantra, first recorded in the Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra
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Traditional textChantNianfo / NembutsuBuddhist — Pure Land schools of China, Japan, Korea and VietnamRead the prayer
Namo Amituofo (Chinese) Namu Amida Butsu (Japanese) Meaning: "I take refuge in Amitabha Buddha" — the Buddha of Infinite Light.
- Attribution:
- Traditional recitation of the name of Amitābha Buddha
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Traditional textDhikrTasbih — SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu AkbarIslamic remembrance (dhikr)Read the prayer
سُبْحَانَ ٱللَّٰهِ — SubhanAllah — Glory be to God ٱلْحَمْدُ لِلَّٰهِ — Alhamdulillah — All praise is for God ٱللَّٰهُ أَكْبَرُ — Allahu Akbar — God is greatest
- Attribution:
- Traditional dhikr taught in hadith (e.g. Sahih Muslim), often said 33 times each after prayer
- Version:
- Meaning: plain literal rendering by Lightkeepers
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Traditional textInvocationBismillahIslamic — said before beginning an action · Qur'an 1:1Read the prayer
بِسْمِ ٱللَّٰهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ Bismillāh ir-Raḥmān ir-Raḥīm In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
- Attribution:
- Opening words of the Qur'an's chapters
- Source:
- Qur'an 1:1
- Version:
- Meaning: plain literal rendering by Lightkeepers
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Traditional textMeditationWaheguru simran (Naam meditation)Sikh — meditative remembrance of the Divine NameRead the prayer
Waheguru… Waheguru… Waheguru… Repeated softly with the breath. "Waheguru" is a Sikh name for God, often understood as "Wondrous Enlightener".
- Attribution:
- Traditional Sikh practice
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Traditional textChantThe Jesus PrayerEastern Orthodox contemplative prayer, repeated with the breathRead the prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
- Attribution:
- Traditional; based on Luke 18:13 and taught in the Philokalia
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Traditional textChantKyrie eleisonChristian liturgical chant (Catholic, Orthodox and others)Read the prayer
Kyrie eleison. Christe eleison. Kyrie eleison. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
- Attribution:
- Ancient Greek liturgical text
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