On the Nature and Power of #Prayer
_"Pray always, lest you enter into temptation,"_ as the Holy Gospel of Matthew, in its 26th chapter and 41st verse, wisely counsels. In these simple words, lies a profound truth: Prayer is our discourse with the Most High.
The Essence of Prayer:
1. Thanksgiving: At the heart of our prayer must lie a profound gratitude. This is not merely the thanks of the lips but of the very core of our being, recognizing and revering all that the Almighty has bestowed upon us.
2. Petition: Yet, as humans, we are creatures of longing, of hope. And thus, our prayers also carry our pleas, our yearnings for the future. As our Lord proclaimed, _"Ask, and it shall be given unto you."_ (Matthew 7:7)
Posture in Prayer:
1. Stand with humility and reverence.
2. Gird your spirit, preparing it for a sacred communion.
3. Direct your gaze and heart eastward, where the light dawns, signifying Christ's resurrection.
4. Approach with a contrite heart.
5. Commence your prayers with utmost reverence and awe.
6. Prostration, a physical manifestation of our spiritual humility, as found in the spiritual traditions.
Forms of Prayer:
1. Personal Prayer: This is the solitary communion of the believer with God, be it within the sanctity of one’s home or the church.
2. Communal Prayer: The collective voice of the faithful rising in unison, be it in monasteries, assemblies, congregations, churches, or within the warm embrace of a devout family.
The True Nature of Prayer:
1. A request for that which aligns with God’s will.
2. An elevation of the soul towards the Divine.
3. An intimate conversation with God.
A Christian void of prayer is likened to a child estranged from his father. What barrenness, what desolation!
Prerequisites for Prayer:
1. Unwavering faith.
2. Dedication to the act of prayer.
3. A heart brimming with compassion.
4. Embracing the sanctity of silence.
5. Mindful of God’s love and the inevitability of death.
6. Moderation in all things.
7. Intercession for others.
8. Not being overwhelmed by earthly duties.
9. Prioritizing the Kingdom of God, as guided by Matthew 6:34.
Prayer, beloved, is the language of love, not a mere ritualistic duty. Those who neglect to pray for others betray a spirit consumed by envy. For one who abstains from prayer suffocates his spirit, akin to a fish gasping for life outside water.
Hours of Prayer:
Our Orthodox tradition has bequeathed us with seven prayerful hours, each a reflection on Christ’s life:
1. Upon awakening.
2. The third hour, pondering the descent of the Holy Spirit.
3. At noon, contemplating Christ's crucifixion.
4. The ninth hour, musing on Christ’s death.
5. Evening, reflecting on His burial.
6. Before sleep, echoing Christ’s prayers in Gethsemane.
7. At midnight, celebrating His birth, baptism, resurrection, and the promise of His return.
However, let it be known that the devout Christian is bound by duty to at the very least venerate the Lord at dawn and dusk.
Let us always remember and invoke the intercessions of the Theotokos and honor the holy Cross. Through prayer, let our souls find solace, our hearts find purpose, and our lives echo the divine symphony of God’s eternal love.
May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every tongue that He has created, today and always.
May the blessings of God's mother, the virgin, and the cross be upon us. Amen.
© John's Repentance
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