According to the Mar Thoma Rite · September 12, 2026
Introduction
The Order of Service of marriage, according to the Mar Thoma Rite, is a blend of rich Biblical traditions and teachings, practices of the Early Church in Palestine and Syria and the customs of South India. The wedding service is far more than a contract between two individuals. The service focuses on the sacramental character of God, bringing together man and woman as husband and wife. The prayers and chants are rooted in the Bible, drawing on many Biblical references and examples. The service underlines the significance of the family in God's plan, recognizing it as a divinely blessed institution.
The Order of Service consists of two parts:
1. The Engagement: The Blessing of the Rings - The first part of the ceremony is the service of the betrothal. The officiating Priest blesses the rings which are put on the fourth finger of the right hands of the Bride and the Bridegroom on behalf of the church as a blessing given by God to remain committed to their married life. The Ring is also the symbol of the mutual responsibility of the couple to live together as husband and wife.
2. Holy Matrimony: The Crowning Ceremony - In the second part of the ceremony, the blessings of the Almighty is invoked on the Bride and the Bridegroom who are considered as "King" and "Queen". It symbolizes the bestowal of the crown of righteousness upon the couple. This is also an invocation of divine love upon the couple so that they may serve each other with a self-sacrificing spirit. A gold chain with a cross pendant is used for the crowning. The most important part of the Service is the reading of the Gospel, before which the Minister joins together the right hands of the Bride and the Bridegroom. The reading of the Gospel symbolizes Christ's affirmation of the sanctity of the marriage bond. This reading is followed by the tying of the Minnu, a small gold pendant shaped as a stylized heart with a cross on it, and the adornment of the Manthrakodi (bridal sari). The Minnu is tied around the neck of the Bride by the Bridegroom with seven strands of thread from the Manthrakodi. This is a symbol of the marriage bond. Then the Manthrakodi is placed on the Bride's head. This is the moment when she is accepted as a member of the husband's family. To symbolize this event, a woman from the family of the bridegroom takes the place of the groom’s sister in a welcome gesture.
Song
Falling in Love
So much beauty to discover
I can hardly take it in
I will ever stand in wonder
Of a grace that never ends
The more I praise You
The more I want to
I'm falling in love
Falling in love with You
I lay my life down
God, I am Yours now
I'm falling in love
Falling in love with You
We have barely scratched the surface
Of Your death-defying love
Every breath I have is worth it
A thousand songs are not enough
The more I praise You
The more I want to
I'm falling in love
Falling in love with You
I lay my life down
God, I am Yours now
I'm falling in lovе
Falling in love with You
Yes, I am falling in love
Falling in lovе with You
For the stars at night
Every sunset sky
For it all, oh, God, I say, "I love You"
For the world You made
Every brand-new day
For it all, oh, God, I say, "I love You"
For the cross You bore
Every nail and thorn
For it all, oh, God, I say, "I love You"
All I have inside
Heart, soul, and mind
And for it all, oh, God, I say, "I love You"
For it all, oh, God, I say, "I love You"
For it all, oh, God
The more I praise You
The more I want to
I'm falling in love
Falling in love with You
I lay my life down
God, I am Yours now
I'm falling in love
Falling in love with You
Yes, I am
Falling in love
Falling in love with You
Falling in love
Falling in love with You
PART I
The Engagement
Kauma
Prayer of Adoration
Dearly Beloved in Christ, Christian marriage is instituted by God, and therefore, is holy and sacramental. You have come in the presence of God to be united in Holy Matrimony. The Lord has guided you until now and so you ought to remember His ways and praise His holy name. This service would be more blessed and meaningful, if you take part in it with the experience of the joy of forgiveness. Jesus Christ is the true Bridegroom and the Church is the Bride. He loved the Church and gave Himself for her. We remember this ideal in the marriage service for it is this model of mutual love, commitment and total faithfulness that is commended in your married life. Let us pray together for the grace of God, so that through this married life, you may experience more the love of God, as revealed at the cross and you may enter into a new fellowship with the Lord. May our Lord give you grace to lead an authentic Christian family life until the last.
PriestGlory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
AllAs it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be forever. Amen.
PriestHoly, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of Your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
AllBlessed is He who has come and is to come again in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Repeat three times
PriestHoly art Thou, O God.
AllHoly art Thou, Almighty Lord.
PriestHoly art Thou, Immortal Lord.
AllO Lord, the Messaiah, who was crucified for us, ✞ have mercy on us.
PriestLord, have mercy upon us.
AllLord, have compassion and mercy upon us.
PriestLord, accept our prayers and worship, and have mercy upon us.
AllGlory to You, O God.
PriestGlory to You, Creator of all.
AllGlory to You, O King, the Messaiah, for You have compassion on Your sinful servants. Bless us, O Lord.
PriestOur Father in Heaven:
AllHallowed be Your name. May Your kingdom come. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Do not bring us to the time of trial, but deliver us from the evil one. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are Yours now and forever. Amen.
PriestO Lord, make us worthy of eternal joy in Your presence. May our joy and happiness begin and end in You. Let our bodies and soul rejoice in You. Dispel our sorrows by Your mercy and increase our virtues by Your grace. Enrich our lives with Your blessings and grant fulfillment to our bride and bridegroom. Help us to rejoice with You in unfading joy with all the saints who have pleased You from the beginning, with the multitude of Your holy ones and in the assembly of those whom You love. To You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we offer praise and glory forever and ever.
TranslationBlessed is He who causes the inhabitants of heaven to rejoice and satisfies those who are on earth. O Christ, full of grace, make the assembly of those who worship You rejoice. O our Savior, stretch forth Your right hand and bless, by Your grace, the rings which the priest gives in Your holy name. The holy Church was betrothed to the Messaiah by a ring, which is the taking upon Him of flesh and blood. Adoration to the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, the mysterious Trinity, who is worshiped and praised by the inhabitants of heaven and earth.
PriestO Lord God, may Your peace that reconciled heaven and earth, depth and height, unite this man and woman in the bond of marriage. O God, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, grant them perfect unity that they may love and accept each other with You, all the days of their life.
AllAmen
Promeon
(Preface)
PriestLet us pray to the Lord for His grace and mercy.
AllMerciful Lord, have mercy and help us.
PriestHelp us, O Lord continually to offer to You praise, adoration, worship, thanksgiving and glory. O Lord Messaiah, Heavenly Bridegroom, You have chosen the daughter of the Gentiles as Your Church and cleansed her from all defilement and transgression by Your innocent and holy blood. You offered Yourself as the Bridegroom and betrothed Yourself to the earthborn Church, having redeemed her from the bondage of all unclean spirits and set her free from all debts and sin. As we bless the rings of these Your servants, we acknowledge that You are worthy of praise and honor and worship, now and all the days of our life.
AllAmen.
Sedra
(Set of Prayers)
PriestO Lord God, who is glorious beyond all human understanding, ever abundant in blessings and high above all evil, Source of all divine grace and Giver of all goodness, You are the holy and eternal oil with which we are anointed, free from all suffering and death. You have ordained that, with the ring, the joy of men and women should be perfected and the happiness of those who are betrothed should be completed. Lord God, bless these rings and with them turn what is accursed into a blessing. O Lord, by Your divine blessing, bless these rings even as You blessed the ring of Your holy Church. May this bridegroom, Mark, and this bride, Marissa, be filled and perfected in wisdom. Grant, O Lord, that by Your grace their marriage may be free from all defilement and hateful things. Grant them abiding joy in this world and in the world to come. O Lord God, adorn them in every way through their life in this transitory world. May they be joyously drawn closer to Your heavenly dwelling where all Your angels and archangels rejoice without ceasing. Lord by Your love, free this congregation from sin, hatred, defilement and error. May they be blessed and standing in Your presence glorify and praise You-Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever.
AllAmen.
PriestO true Bridegroom, You who choose pure and virgin souls for Your wedding, grant that Mark and Marissa, who have agreed to be joined in marriage and have accepted You as the Mediator of their marriage through us Your humble servants who stand in Your presence, may spread the sweet fragrance of virtuous deeds. Enable them to cultivate true love, concord, peace and inseparable unity between them. Strengthen them to enable each other to maintain purity of body and spirit. Help them to offer to You O Father.
AllAmen
Blessing Of The Rings
PriestEternal praise be to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who graciously and abundantly blesses these rings.
AllAmen.
PriestFor the fulfillment of joy of the children of the Holy Church, these rings are blessed in the name of the Father ✞, and of the Son ✞, and of the Holy Spirit ✞.
AllAmen.
The sacramental ring is given by the celebrant to the bridegroom on the fourth finger of his right hand.
PriestMay our Lord Jesus Christ graciously stretch out His right hand to you. With this ring, which is the token of your betrothal, may you obtain from Him grace and mercy. May blessings and goodness from the hand of Christ be with you and protect you all your life.
Mark & AllAmen.
The sacramental ring is given by the celebrant to the bride on the fourth finger of her right hand.
PriestMay our Lord Jesus Christ mystically stretch out His hand to You. Accept this ring from the hand of the Bishop/Minister as from the hand of the holy Apostles, as a sign of your betrothal. With peace and joy of body and spirit, may you offer praise and glory to Him, and to the Father and to the Holy Spirit.
Marissa & AllAmen.
Prayer For The Bride And Bridegroom
PriestMay the Lord God, who through His Messaiah fulfilled the joy of the holy Church, perfect with truth and goodness these our children who have come together to be married. May they receive heavenly blessing along with these rings. Clothe them with humility. Perfect their marriage with the rings of righteousness, as the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah was confirmed through gold ornaments. Cause the bridegroom to rejoice in his salvation and adorn the bride with treasures that do not grow old and perish. May God enable them always to maintain a good conscience, with gentleness more fragrant than roses. May God save them from the wicked and envious who pervert the human race and from the evil-minded who corrupt the purity of wedded life. May the Lord bestow upon them times of well-being and years of blessedness. O Lord God, hear the prayers of us Your weak and sinful servants who stand before Your glorious presence and grant to this couple happy days and the blessings of children. Enrich them with the wealth of virtuous deeds. Confirm them in true faith in You. Give them the grace to remain firm in that faith and to impart it to their children. Confer Your goodness and benefits on all those who have come prepared for this wedding feast. Perfect the bride and bridegroom with Your victorious cross. Shower blessings upon us all, O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever.
TranslationI worship the King's Son, because He has given me all the blessings, which He brought from His Father's house. Woe to the wicked one who deceived me and led me to idolatry. Glory be to Jesus who saved me. I am blessed because He has armed me with spiritual armor through the water of Baptism, and made me worthy to wear on my finger the rings of his Holy Body and Blood. The holy Church declared that the bridegroom is like the sun, the bride the day, and those who are hidden a fragrant tree.
Benediction
PriestDearly beloved, who have come to share in this testimony justified by God, may the Lord reward your labors, thirty, sixty, and a hundred fold. Let His blessings be always with you. May the cross ✞ of our Lord remain with you day and night and ever protect you from the evil one and his hosts.
AllAmen.
Song
O Perfect Love
O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
Lowly we kneel in prayer before Thy throne,
that theirs may be the love which knows no ending,
Whom Thou forevermore dost join in one.
O perfect Life, be Thou their full assurance,
of tender charity and steadfast faith,
Of patient hope and quiet, brave endurance,
With childlike trust that fears nor pain nor death.
Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow;
grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife,
And to life’s day the glorious unknown morrow
that dawns upon eternal love and life.
PART II
The Holy Matrimony
The Blessing Of The Crown
PriestGlory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
AllShower upon us, weak and sinful as we are, Your blessings and mercies in this world and the world to come, now and forever. Amen.
PriestO Lord God, make us worthy of the everlasting marriage feast and of the imperishable bridal chamber. Invite us also to Your eternal joy with those invited to the fellowship of the wedding feast. Grant that together with them and among them we may praise and glorify You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forever.
AllAmen.
The bride and the bridegroom make the sign of the cross as a mark of receiving God's blessings when the celebrant blesses them with the sign of the cross during the following chant.
TranslationMay God, who blessed the righteous of the ancient, bless these servants ✞ with His abundant grace. God have mercy on us. May God, who blessed Adam and Eve, bless these servants ✞ with His abundant grace. God have mercy on us. May God, who blessed Abraham and Sarah, bless these servants ✞ with His abundant grace. God have mercy on us. May God, who blessed Isaac and Rebekah, bless these servants ✞ with His abundant grace. God have mercy on us. May God, who blessed Jacob and Rachel, bless these servants ✞ with His abundant grace. God have mercy on us. May God, who blessed Joseph in Egypt, bless these servants ✞ with His abundant grace. God have mercy on us.
PriestLord, exalt with the abundance of Your gifts, these Your servants who have been united together, and grant them joy. Fill them with joy in Your divine statutes. Grant, O God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit that they sing praises to You in joy and gladness, and rejoice eternally in Your presence.
AllAmen.
Kuklyon
(Psalms 21:1-3)
Karththane Raajan Than Balaththil Santhoshikkum
Ha-Le-Loo Yyaa, Oo Ha-Le-Loo-Yyaa
Thava Rakshayilavanetam Modikkum
Nanmayinnanugraham Mun-Pitunnavane Nee
Ha-Le-Loo Yyaa, Oo Ha-Le-Loo-Yyaa
Maanyamaam Muti Than Sirassil Choottunnu,
Baarekmaar
TranslationThe king shall rejoice in Your strength O Lord; he shall exult in Your salvation. For You came to meet him with the blessings of success and placed a crown of gold upon his head.
Promeon
Preface
PriestLet us pray to the Lord for His grace and mercy.
AllMerciful Lord, have mercy and help us.
PriestHelp us O Lord, continually to offer to You praise, adoration, worship, thanksgiving and glory. Praise to the eternal and self-existent One who is and who shall be the same from generation to generation, the eternal Word around whose throne the angels throng to offer worship and adoration; the glorious and exalted One who has graciously turned our race to Him and the Holy One who freely gives crowns of joy to brides and bridegrooms. And we bless the crown of Your servants. You are worthy of the praise, honor and worship, now and throughout our life.
AllAmen
Sedra
(Set of Prayers)
PriestO Lord God, You are glorified by all the heavenly hosts with fear and trembling; the glorious hosts shudder and tremble at Your majesty. Yet out of Your inexplicable mercy and inestimable grace. You delight in the praise of us mortals. Bless Your servants everywhere upon earth, all those who are subjects of Your divine majesty and especially those who have come here and sought protection under the merciful shadow of Your gracious wings. Keep them in health and happiness that they may be perfect in all good works. Grant them the grace to run the straight race that leads to the kingdom of heaven, perfected in all spiritual gifts and enriched by the godly discipline of their bodies and souls. Enable them, O Lord, to love eternal life and keep them from the corruption of sin. Unite and keep them at Your side, free from the bondage of accursed Satan. Make them and us faithful workers in Your vineyard and help us to observe Your commandments with zeal and true devotion. Make us one in the company of Your saints, loving one another, hating the evil one, and obedient to Your divine majesty. Make us to rejoice in Your heavenly kingdom. We offer praise and glory to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, because You are good and love humankind. Amen.
Chant
Jaathiyin Puthri Neeye Sundari-Bahu-Sundari
Slomon Raajan Thiru Sabhayaam Ninne Vandikkunnu
Then Kattakal Nin-AdharamPozhikkunnu
Ankikal Sugandhi-Neesan Kusumam Pol
Sundari Sabhaye Ninnil Maalinyam Illethume
Masiha Raajan Than Kurisaal Ninne-Kaattheetunnu
Haalellooyya - Oo - Haleluyya-Baarekmaar
TranslationO Holy Church, daughter of the Gentiles, how beautiful you are! Solomon sang of you that your lips drip with honey and the smell of your garments is like the perfume of the roses in the summer. O Church, you are beautiful and without blemish! The Messaiah, the King defends you because you adore His cross.
DeaconFrom the Epistle of St. Paul to the Ephesians.
AllPraise to You, O Lord of the Apostles. O Lord, grant us grace to discern Your Word.
Reading Of The Epistle
Ephesians 5:20-28
DeaconGive thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the Head of the Church, the body of which He is the Savior. Just as the Church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands. Husbands, love Your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the Church to Himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind - yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
The celebrant joins the right hands of the bride and the bridegroom.
The congregation stands.
DeaconBrethren, let us stand in reverence and listen to the proclamation of the Living Word of God from the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
PriestPeace be with You all. ✞
AllMay the Lord make us all worthy to listen to His Word.
PriestThe Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which proclaims life and salvation to the world, as recorded by the Apostle Matthew.
AllBlessed is He that has come and to come again. Praise to the Father who sent Him for our salvation. May His blessings be ever upon us.
PriestIn the days of Jesus the Christ, our Lord and Savior, God incarnate of the Blessed Virgin Mary, He taught in this manner.
AllSo we believe and affirm.
Reading Of The Gospel
St. Matthew l9: l-6
PriestWhen Jesus had finished saying these things. He left Galilee and went to the territory of Judea on the other side of the River Jordan. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there. Some Pharisees came to Him and tried to trap him by asking, "Does our Law allow a man to divorce his wife for whatever reason he wishes?" Jesus answered, "Haven't you read the scripture that says that in the beginning the Creator made people male and female? And God said, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife. And the two will become one. So they are no longer two but one. Man must not separate then what God has joined together."
PriestPeace be with you all. ✞
AllAnd with you also.
The congregation is seated.
Blessing Of The Crowns
PriestThese crowns and the heads that are crowned are blessed and perfected in the name of the Father ✞, and of the Son ✞, and of the Holy Spirit ✞.
AllAmen
The Priest elevates the crown three times over the head of the bridegroom and chants:
TranslationA crown comes down from heaven in the hands of our Lord. Worthy is this crown to be placed on the head of the bride by the Priest.
The Priest places the crown on the bride's head and says:
PriestMay the Lord adorn you with the crown of righteousness and with desirable and imperishable adornment. May you rejoice all your life, offering praise to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
AllAmen
Prayer Of Blessing
PriestMay the Lord, who delights in human life, be pleased with your lives and bless your union. May Christ, our Heavenly Bridegroom seal your marriage with the true seal of His love. As Christ rejoices in His Church, may you rejoice in each other. May the right hand of His blessing be on you and protect you from all troubles. May the angel of peace be with you and keep you from all jealousies that lead to destruction. May He take away all sorrow from you and fill you with joy in each other. As Abraham rejoiced in Isaac, Isaac in Jacob, and Jacob in Joseph, may the Lord rejoice in you and bless you with righteous children. May God grant you all the good things that the earth produces. May the blessing promised to those who love the Lord and pleases His holy will, be upon us and upon the crowns placed on your head by the Bishop/Minister's hands. Let the nations rejoice and sing praises, for the Lord's name has been invoked upon you. May God enrich you with all prosperity, wealth and blessings. May He pardon all your sins, like those of the sinful woman. May you also inherit the kingdom of heaven like the thief on the cross. May the Most High God who descended on Mount Sinai, to make a covenant with the bride he had called out of Egypt, bless You and this congregation. Let us offer praise to the Lord of heaven and earth, now and forever more.
AllAmen
Blessing Of The Minnu And Manthrakodi
This is an ancient tradition, symbolizing mutual trust, love and commitment. The bridegroom ties the Minnu around the bride's neck. The seven threads for the Minnu are taken from the Manthrakodi, the bride's traditional wedding garment (presented by the bridegroom). While the Minnu is being tied and the Manthrakodi is given to the bride, the following chant is sung.
Eden Thottatthin Utayavane,
Enne Vel Kkuvan Vannavan Nee
Ilam Kaatatthu Kontu Po-Kaa,
Ullaasam Enikkaviteyunt
Kartthane Enne Velikaay Nee,
Nischayiccha Manavaattiyaay Njaan
Vishuddhanaam Sathya Manavaalaa,
Karuna Cheykennil Saranam Neeye
Kurisinaal Kotutthen Sthreedhanavum
Kashtappaa-Taal Swathanthrayathum
En Manavara Unnathatthil,
Nin Vakayaay Vilicchenne Nee
Kallanmaar Ente Saundaryatthe,
Kollacheyvaan Mohicchethirtthu
Thiru Snehatthaal Methicchavare,
Atimayil Ninnu Njaan Swathanthra-Yaayi
TranslationYou are my husband, O glorious one who established the Garden of Eden and caused its pleasant breeze to blow upon me. Lord, I am the bride, your wife, bethrothed in your name. O bridegroom of truth and righteousness, have mercy upon me, for I take my refuge in you alone. My dowry you paid with your Cross. You set me free by your suffering and have prepared a bride chamber for me on high. You have called me to be yours. Thieves attacked and sought to spoil me of my beauty, but by your love, you defeated them and freed me from their slavery.
Prayer Of Mar Jacob
The bride and the bridegroom make the sign of the cross as a mark of receiving God's blessings when the Celebrant, with the sign of the cross, blesses them with the following chant:
TranslationO Son of God, stretch out Your right hand and bless the bridegroom and bride and the crowns on their head, O Lord bless each of them by name. Bless also their years of life together in the world of light. Bless this congregation in the company of all the blessed ones and all the saints. O Lord, bless the mouths of Your servants that they may magnify You and praise You on the harp.
Hoothama
PriestDearly beloved, we have a custom received from our holy fathers and entrusted to us by our revered predecessors of exhorting the believers as we are all assembled in the house of God. We must firmly bid these persons, Mark and Marissa standing before us that they should be diligent in truth and justice and zealous in all good works. Now, Mark and Marissa remember that you stand before God' s holy altar, before the throne of our Lord Jesus Christ and His holy table, before the cross, before the holy Gospel, before the congregation, and in the presence of God who knows the thoughts of every heart. From this time onwards, we have united you to each other. May God be the Judge between you and me. I shall be free from blame for anything you do contrary to the Divine Law. May God's mercy and blessing be upon the priests, the deacons, the believers, the bride and bridegroom, the guests and the hosts. May the right hand of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon us all forever.
AllAmen.
Exhortation To All
PriestOnce again believers know that this commandment is to you all, that each husband among you should always keep in mind the right relationship he owes his wife, for she has left all her kindred to join her husband. Therefore, he must love and cherish her. He must clothe her even if he has to go naked, feed her even if he has to go hungry, and give her drink even if he is thirsty. Each wife must also behave towards her husband in the same manner as he does towards her and honor him accordingly. She must treat him with love and affection in all things. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be upon you all forever.
AllAmen.
Exhortation To The Bride And Groom
PriestGod has united you, Mark and Marissa, as husband and wife from this day. You are no longer two, but one. Christian family life is a great privilege and responsibility. Therefore, love one another, respect each other, be tolerant, be forgiving, hate evil, hold on to all that is good, be patient in tribulation, be constant in family prayer, be diligent in studying the Word of God, practice charity and hospitality, do always what is noble in the sight of all, be active participants in corporate worship and regular partakers of Holy Communion. May God help you to rejoice in such a blessed Christian family life. Remember that you are stewards of God in wealth, time and talents. Therefore, set apart a portion of your income for the needy and the poor and for the mission of the church. When you are blessed with children, nurture them in the love of God. May Almighty God help you to rejoice in such a blessed Christian family life.
Benediction- Final Blessing
PriestYou are blessed by the Lord who created heaven and earth. May the Lord bless and sanctify all of you who have attended this divine service with us. May ✞ God the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit hear and accept our weak and inadequate prayers before His throne of grace.