The Construction Of Prayers: A Brief

The Construction of Prayers: A Brief

I was reading through some of my prayerbooks when I had begun to realize that there was actually a means and method of how these prayers were constructed, albeit that is to be understood as just the general way, but even prayers made on the fly seem to follow that same structure, so I figured I might as well write it down.

The Naming of the Deity

Mentions of Epithets or Descriptors

Prayer Proper

Finalizations

Sealing

The second point is also evident in Abrahamic Faiths, where the Father, Saints and Mystics have names associated with them, or describing of certain virtues which they had. Venerable, blessed, virtuous, pure, miraculous and so on were all different words used. The second part is the epithet, the actual capacity in which a deity or spirit is invoked. This goes also in line with how G-d is perceived in some sects. The One may be called just that, the One, The One may also be called the Deliverer, Illuminator, Redeemer, Infinite Light, Merciful One, Entire One, the All-Hearing, and all these names have power and reference a specific aspect of the One in question.

In a similar fashion, many deities have epithets associated with them. Hekate Soteira is popular in the Chaldean Oracles but also references her as a deliverer or redeemer from issues and trouble. In the same way, She also has epithets that directly counter the aforesaid Soteira, epithets that seemingly show a more atavistic and dark side to the Mistress, both which would have applications and means in both the realms of occultism and polytheism. This same formula is also found in the Orphic Hymns, the first part being the invocation of the deity, followed by descriptors and then a prayer asking for either a good death, good action, good word or a blessing on the initiates and the PGM is full of long lists of names which seem to show that the deities were anything but singular in form or cult.

So, how can we then apply this? Let's say we wanted to call upon Archangel Michael. Archangel Michael has a few offices. He is the Archangel of the Son, one of the Four Cardinal Archangels, an Archangel of Protection and Providence. Let us assume that we wanted to do a solar working, we would then use descriptors that are associated or reminiscent of Saint Michael as the Angelic Governor of the Sun, which we can find on example in the Chaplet of Saint Michael:

"Michael, chief and commander of the Heavenly Hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of evil spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King, and our admirable conductor, thou who shinest with excellence and superhuman virtue, deliver us from all evil..."

We see the mention of Archangel Michael shining with excellence and virtue, which seems well suited towards an invocation of Him in His Solar Capacity, an Angel that would be a protector and illuminator on the path towards ascension, as well as holding power over solar offices. Let us say that, by that same, we were asking for the Light of Sol to bring strength in the face of adversity, we may then make use of a few key prayers.

In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, may peace be with us unto the Last Day. Amen.

O' Saint Michae, chief and commander of the Heavenly Hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of evil spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King, and our admirable conductor, i pray Thee, Holy Guardian of Sol, who shinest with excellence and superhuman virtue, the Prince of the Holy Church and the defender of the Faithful, through the Light of the Holy Sphere, may I be protected and illuminated that I shall not fall to adversity, and that by that same light, may you intercede before the Throne that I may have the Protection of Our Lord. May I neither fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow of the day, nor the pestilence, nor the plague, nor those who shall attempt to strike me down, may it be that, at all times, at all places, I shall have my refuge in the Lord, who is my Rock, and has set thou to guide us, protect us, and strengthen us on the path to His Majesty.

Amen.