About #Prayer (Part 3)
When we pray, we should believe in a good God who hears and answers our prayers. Faith is the foundation. In order to do righteousness, avoid sin, face all the temptations that come to us through the will of the flesh and the devil's tricks, it is necessary to believe in resurrection after death, rest after labor, joy after sorrow, and wearing the crown of victory after suffering. St. Paul said, "Faith is the assurance of things we hope for, and the evidence of things we do not see." He also said, "It is not possible to please God without faith, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Prayer is a tool to ask for what we want and what we lack, and to thank God for what He has done for us. A spiritual person prays with faith that God will fulfill the things that are important to him in his physical life, as well as in his spiritual life through penance and Holy Communion, to strengthen him in his faith, and to do more than what he is commanded to do.
A person who prays receives spiritual strength from God. "The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its work." (James 5:16) "Put on the full armor of God to resist the wiles of the devil... Always pray in the Spirit with all kinds of prayer and supplication." (Ephesians 6:11-18) "Those who love prayer, God gives them rest from Satan who brings them trouble." (Elder Spiritual Essay)
A secret is revealed to a person who prays. "Indeed, the Lord God does nothing unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets." (Amos 3:7) The Elder Spiritual Essay 14 says, "Mysteries will be revealed through prayer."
Prayer is a powerful remedy for the forgiveness of sins and the healing of the sick. "Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven." (James 5:14)
Prayer saves us from punishment and suffering. "Call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver you." (Psalm 50:15) The apostles say that prayer is not done randomly, but has a system of execution that "all things should be done decently and in order." (1 Corinthians 14:40)
Accordingly, there is a specific time and place for performing prayer. There are seven times of prayer. Psalm 118:164 says, "I will praise You seven times a day because of Your righteous judgments." These seven times of prayer are:
The Prayer of the First Hour: It is done at sunrise, which is the beginning of the day.
The Prayer of the Third Hour: It is done at 9 AM.
The Prayer of the Sixth Hour: It is done at noon.
The Prayer of the Ninth Hour: It is done at 3 PM.
The Prayer of the Evening: It is done at sunset.
The Prayer of the Bedtime: It is done before going to bed.
The Midnight Prayer: It is done at midnight.
About #Prayer (Part 4)
How, what, and in what way should we pray?
Dear and respected members who follow Orthodox education and spiritual service conveyed on John's Repentance website, it should be recalled that in the previous series of lessons on the subject, we have tried to explain that prayer is the secret to our relationship with the Creator, and that prayer is our greatest tool and power to save us from the temptations of the flesh and the soul. Today, in part four, we will convey a short message about the ritual of prayer: 1st/ how we should stand for prayer, 2nd/ what we should pray, 3rd/ how we should pray. But in the beginning, when we prepare for prayer, we begin by remembering the spiritual perspective that helps us understand the mystery of true prayer.
The mystery of true prayer is the unity and trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, based on faith in the mystery of the Trinity and the mystery of our incarnation, and taking into account all of God's love and saving work and future hope. The true mystery of prayer, following the mystery of the new covenant, looks to the east; He attends the heavenly prayer. Thinking of the heavenly army who prostrate before the heavenly throne and say "Holy Holy Holy" without ceasing, we should also give thanks to the Holy Church in front of the sanctuary of the Holy Church, which is the image of the heavenly throne. (Revelation 4) Thinking of Christ, the Savior of the world, who was born in the city of David to save us, we praise him with the angels, saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:11-14).
1/ How we should pray
1.1. When we pray, we should stand in fear, respect, and love of God, and renew our lives first through repentance. Because a person must put the fear of God first in his faith. Next, he must sanctify his body and his whole life in a life of repentance in order to thank God in prayer or to ask for what he wants. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge." (Prov 1:7) Praying in this approach prolongs our life and brings many blessings.
Because prayer is talking to God, a person who stands for prayer should realize that he is standing in front of God no matter where he is. The army of heaven, the innocent, holy, mighty angels, are trembling and steadfast in holiness, and they always praise God by saying "Holy, Holy, Holy." He is the Creator and Ruler, the Almighty Elshadai, Adonai God. When His power is revealed, the heavens and the earth cannot stand before it, the earth will shake, and the heavens will shake. When His name was called, the Red Sea stood like a wall and overcame the people. When the people of Israel raised their voices and blew their trumpets, the walls of Jericho collapsed. When the Three Holy Children called the name of God, fire became water for them, and Daniel called His name and shut the mouths of the lions. Therefore, when we stand in front of this mighty God and invoke the holy name above all names, we should approach with fear and trembling. God is everywhere, and He is near and not far to those who call Him with proper prayer. "Am I only a God nearby," declares the LORD, "and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?" declares the LORD. "Do not I fill heaven and earth?" (Jer 23:23). Calling his name in vain, however, would be a violation of the law that says, "Do not take God's name in vain."
1.2. When we pray, we should pray standing straight. Our clothing should also be clean and modest and not revealing our bidy. Women should cover their hair. In prayer, when we invoke the name of God, the God who created heaven and earth, the God who rules all creatures, who is the eternal king, above all else, we should bow down to Him with our bodies. When we stand before God the king, we must stand up and pray because he deserves honor.