“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place where He prayed.” Mark 1:35 “… Jesus made His disciples get into a boat and go ahead of Him… He went up on a mountainside and prayed … About the fourth watchContinue reading “How to Develop a Prayer Rule: Your Best Time”
Category Archives: prayer
How To Develop A Prayer Rule: Location Matters
“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. Then your Father, who sees what you have done in secret, will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:6 Sometimes we modern Christians get sloppy when it comes to where we pray, both in physical and mentalContinue reading “How To Develop A Prayer Rule: Location Matters”
How to Develop a Prayer Rule: Why a Prayer Rule?
Yes, every Christian should have some regular pattern of communication with God. Every one of us needs a prayer rule. Jesus taught the disciples, “Abide in Me and I in you” (John 15:4). Prayer is the most effective way to follow the Lord’s teaching and to be one with Him. Adoration, doing good deeds, praise,Continue reading “How to Develop a Prayer Rule: Why a Prayer Rule?”
Developing A Prayer Rule: Pray As You Can
Originally posted on The Modern Monastic Order Of Saint Simon of Cyrene:
“If you cannot pray ceaselessly, pray frequently”? St. Ignatius Brianchaninov There is no substitute for following a rule of prayer. The Nativity Fast has come to an end and we (new calendar) Orthodox Christians begin 12 days of feasting the birth of Christ. …
Forgiveness Sunday: Fasting from Spiritual Complacency
In the Byzantine tradition of Orthodox Christianity, we begin the Great Lenten Fast with Forgiveness Sunday Vespers. After our usual evening prayers, we include the prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian with prostrations. Then, we exchange the kiss of peace asking for and receiving forgiveness from each person in the church. The next 40 daysContinue reading “Forgiveness Sunday: Fasting from Spiritual Complacency”
Sunday of the Prodigal Son: Coming to Our Senses in Prayer
This past Sunday was the second of the Lenten Triodion of the Orthodox Church. The Gospel lesson was from the Lord’s parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). This upcoming Sunday is the recognition of the Final Judgement and the last day that we are to freely consume meat (Meatfare) before the great fast. ItContinue reading “Sunday of the Prodigal Son: Coming to Our Senses in Prayer”
Orthodox Christian Life: Voluntary Obligations
A close relative of mine expressed her misgivings about my converting to Orthodox Christianity several years ago. To her, the faith seemed complex and ridged with the ancient prayers, praying at certain times of the day, iconography and so many other things that are absent in modern denominations and non-denominational churches. “Do you really needContinue reading “Orthodox Christian Life: Voluntary Obligations”
DEVELOPING A PRAYER RULE: BECOMING THEOLOGIANS
Originally posted on The Modern Monastic Order Of Saint Simon of Cyrene:
“If you are a theologian, you will pray truly. And if you pray truly, you are a theologian.” Evagrios the Solitary “We pray not to instruct or inform God, but to be intimate with Him.” St. John Chrysostom “In the Orthodox Tradition, one…
Dormition Fast: Humility in Prayer
Orthodox Churches using the modern calendar began the 14 day fast observing the Dormition of the Theotokos (the Virgin Mary = “she who bore God) this past Sunday. Wise Christians of old often taught that we should remember our own mortality as we live and that we will have to face the Lord’s dread judgementContinue reading “Dormition Fast: Humility in Prayer”
The Importance of Your Cell
“But you, when you pray, go into your room and when you have shut the door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” Matthew 6:6 “Go sit in your cell and your cell will teach you everything.” St. Moses from theContinue reading “The Importance of Your Cell”
West Point Orthodox Christian Chapel 