Prophet Elijah's Day: what helps the saint, the most powerful prayer

Every year on August 2, the Orthodox Church honors the memory of the prophet Elijah— one of the greatest saints of the Old Testament. He is revered not only by Christians, but also by representatives of other faiths. He is considered the patron saint of agriculture and the guide of the lost. Izvestia tells us how the saint helps, and shares his most powerful prayers.

What to pray to the prophet of God Elijah

Saint Elijah was born 900 years before the Birth of Christ in the ancient city of Thessaly. According to legend, shortly before his birth, the father of the future prophet saw in a dream how noble men were having conversations with his newborn son, swaddling him in fire and feeding the flame. The dream turned out to be prophetic — Elijah grew up to be an ardent zealot of faith and piety.

When King Ahab of Israel, influenced by his wife Jezebel, began worshipping the pagan god Baal, the country plunged into chaos. The people forgot about the worship of the true God and became more and more drowned in vices. Then, at the prayer of St. Elijah, a three-year drought began. The prophet himself waited out the disaster at the spring, and when it dried up, he went to the city and settled with a pious widow. With the blessing of the saint, the oil and flour in her house never ran out, and her son, who died of an illness, miraculously resurrected.

Three years later, Elijah came to King Ahab and offered to build two altars, one to Baal and the other to the true God, and to see which would receive the heavenly fire faster. The pagan priests erected an altar, placed a rich sacrifice on it and began to pray, but nothing happened. Then Elijah laid the sacrifice on his altar, poured water on it abundantly, and turned to the Lord. At the same moment, the offering burst into flames, scorching the stones of the altar and the ground around it. After that, the people praised the true God, and the wicked priests were killed on the spot.

For his fervent faith, Elijah was taken to heaven alive. According to legend, when the saint was traveling with his disciple Elisha, he was suddenly picked up by a fiery chariot and carried off to heaven. It is believed that shortly before the second coming of Christ, the prophet will return to earth and accept bodily death for his preaching.

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Elijah was one of the first saints to be revered in Russia. The temple in his honor was built during the reign of Princess Olga, before the widespread adoption of Christianity in the Russian lands.

The prophet was popularly considered the patron saint of the elements. People believed that he held the key to heaven and could "lock up" the rain or set it free. Therefore, Elijah prayed for the end of the drought, which could destroy crops. He was also asked for help in the opposite case, when the rain threatened to flood the fields. The Prophet was also asked for good weather during the harvest season and for protection of the house from natural disasters (fires, floods, etc.)

The clergy, in turn, note that the prophet Elijah was one of the most faithful servants of the Lord. He is considered the intercessor of all true believers and an assistant in overcoming harmful passions. He is recommended to pray to strengthen faith and return to the righteous path of the lost. You can also turn to the saint for help in a difficult life situation and for protection from ill-wishers.

Whose heavenly patron is the Prophet Elijah

In Russia, Ilya is revered as the patron saint of the Airborne Troops. The saint's Memorial Day coincides with the professional holiday of military personnel, Airborne Forces Day, as well as the anniversary of the founding of this branch of the armed forces — on August 2, 1930, during exercises in the Moscow Military District, a group of 12 people parachuted for the first time.

Orthodox military personnel consider the prophet to be an example of courage, true service to the people and God. Many of them take part in festive divine services and religious processions. Military relatives pray to the saint for the welfare and safety of their loved ones serving in different regions of the country.

The most powerful prayer to the Prophet Elijah

The Orthodox Church does not set strict rules for prayer to the Prophet Elijah. Believers can address the saint in temples or at home, in their own words or with the help of one of the already existing prayers. The main thing is to be sincere and selfless in your request, as well as to keep gratitude and reverence in your heart.

There are several prayers to the Prophet Elijah. Their texts can be found on Orthodox websites or in printed prayer books. Below is one of them:

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"O holy prophet of God Elijah, pray to God, who loves mankind, for us, that He may give us, the servants of God (names), a spirit of repentance and contrition for our sins, and by His all-powerful grace may He help us to forsake the paths of wickedness, and to prosper in every work of bliss, and in the struggle with our passions and lusts, may he strengthen us May the spirit of humility and meekness, the spirit of brotherly love and kindness, the spirit of patience and chastity, the spirit of zeal for the glory of God and for the salvation of ourselves and our neighbors, plant in our hearts good care.

Avert the righteous wrath of God from us through your intercession, so that we may live in this world in peace and piety, and be worthy to partake of eternal blessings in the Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Who deserves honor and worship, with His Beginningless Father and the Most Holy Spirit, forever and ever."

Earlier, Izvestia told how the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul help believers and how to pray to them.