👆 in This Sacred Act,

Continued 👆🏽 In this sacred act, we affirm: The Lordship and majesty of God. The mystery of Christ’s incarnation and sacrifice. Our passage from darkness into light, from death into life. Let us not neglect this powerful sign, for through it, we proclaim our salvation. 4. Standing in Fear and Trembling Before the Almighty, let no man approach in arrogance. The Psalmist declares, "I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (Psalm 15:8) Our posture in prayer must be one of humility and awe. The Lord has warned, "Be watchful always in prayer, that you may stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:36) Let us, therefore, be mindful of the holiness of the One to whom we speak. 5. Prostration (Astekot) Prostration is an ancient and holy practice, a bodily expression of the soul’s submission. The Scriptures declare, "You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve." (Matthew 4:10) This worship is both spiritual and physical, for our whole being must bow before the Lord (John 4:24). The spiritual fathers teach that it is fitting to prostrate once or three times before beginning prayer, and during times of deep supplication, 36 times. Yet, on certain holy days, such as the Sabbath and the feasts of the Lord, prostration is reserved for specific moments. In all things, we follow the order set by the Church. 6. Lifting the Hands in Prayer Lifting our hands in prayer is not an empty motion but a sign of divine appeal. The Scriptures record, "Ethiopia shall stretch out her hands to God." (Psalm 67:31) To lift our hands is to: Acknowledge God’s power (Exodus 9:29). Follow the tradition of the righteous (1 Kings 8:22; Psalm 28:2). Declare submission to divine authority (Isaiah 25:1-11). Proclaim our turning from sin (Isaiah 65:2). Thus, when we make our petitions, let us do so with hands raised, as did the prophets and saints before us. Conclusion: The Heart of Prayer Brethren, let us not approach prayer as a duty performed out of routine, but as a divine privilege granted to us. In prayer, we stand before the throne of grace. In prayer, we commune with the Living God. In prayer, we wage war against the enemy, drive away the darkness, and receive the strength to walk in righteousness. Let our prayers be full of faith, unshaken in hope, and fervent in love. And may the Lord, in His boundless mercy, accept our supplications and count us worthy to stand before Him in His kingdom. 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 Reach out to us on our social media platforms and share it with your friends: https://linktr.ee/johnsrepentance