Stand firm in the hope of the Resurrection

Bring out the gift of reason God has stored in our hearts.  Then when troubles surround us, we will remember that we are only human, and as we have already seen and heard, that life is full of misfortunes…Above all, reason will tell us according to God’s command that we who trust Christ shouldn’t grieve over those who have died.  For we hope in the Resurrection and in great crowns which the Master has stored to reward our great patience.  We must allow our wiser thoughts to speak to us in this melody.  Then perhaps we might experience slight relief from our troubles.  I urge you to stand firm, even if the blow is a heavy one. 

 

For teens--a prayer for mom

A Prayer to honor your mom

By Kelli Mahoney

The Ten Commandments tell us that we need to honor our mother and father, but any Christian teen knows that it is not always the easiest thing to do. It is easy to honor our parents when they are being supportive and give us what we want. However, parents sometimes have very different ideas about what their children need or do than their kids do themselves, and those are times that living by that Commandment becomes a greater challenge.

It's important for teens to remember that your mom cares, otherwise, she wouldn't even bother to tell you what to do or how to do it. It is why sometimes Mom can be extremely supportive and cheer you on, and why other times you wonder why she's being so harsh. Still, why not take some of those good and bad times and honor your mom with a special prayer: 


"Lord, thank you for blessing me with my mom. I know sometimes I am not the perfect child. I know I challenge her a lot with my views and actions, but I also know that You have given me to her so she can love me.

I pray, Lord, that you continue to bless her with patience for me as I grow up and become more independent. I ask You to give her a sense of peace about my choices and to allow us to talk about the things that sometimes come between us.

I also ask, Lord, for you to comfort her and give her happiness in the areas of her life where she needs You most. I pray that You continue to bless her relationships and ask for her to have joy and success in the things she wants to do and achieve.

Lord, I also ask for You to bless me with wisdom, love, and understanding for my mom. I pray that You give me a heart that continues to love my mother and open up my mind to what she wants for me. Let me not take for granted the sacrifices she has made for me. I ask for You to bless me with patience in times when I do not understand, and the openness to show my love for her.

Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with my mother. I pray for continued blessings on my family and all the things we do for one another.  In Your name, Amen."

 





Hasten to help me, O Lord

 

 

You cannot conquer any passion, any sin, without gracious help; therefore, always ask the help of Christ, your Savior.  It was for this that He came into the world, for this that He suffered, died and rose from the dead, in order to help us in everything, to save us from sin, and from the violence of the passions, to cleanse us from our sins, to bestow upon us power in the Holy Spirit to do good works, to enlighten us, to strengthen us and to give us peace.  You ask how you can save yourself when sin stands at every step, and you sin at every moment?  There is a simple answer to this:  at every step, at every moment, call upon the Savior, remember the Savior always, and with the practice of self-control, you will save yourself and others. 

An easy approach for evil

No man is more easily approached by the Devil than one who lives in slothfulness and leisure; this is a house well swept and adorned for the Evil One. 

The agony within

 

Why is there no peace in our bones, in our soul and in our heart?  Because of our sins!  Because we are not at all instructed in humility, because we very much love to argue and prove that we know more than others, because we do not stop conversing with our thoughts, which–along with sorrows—continually torment us. 

Preparatory prayers

Prayers at home are an introduction, a preparation for prayers in church.  Thus he who is not accustomed to pray at home can seldom pray diligently in church.  Experience bears witness to this:  anyone can observe it for himself.  



Reaching Paradise with joy

Those who entrust themselves to their spiritual father with simplicity, walk with much certainty and are restful (carried as they are on their elder’s shoulders), and reach Paradise joyfully.  Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain (Athos)

 

I chose this quote as, today, someone dear to our family is being laid to rest.  This man was not a monastic or under monastic obedience, nevertheless, he had a confessor and a true spiritual father who in humility and wisdom was able to guide him through love, prayer and general advice for many years.  When it came time for him to depart this life, after a somewhat quick decline in health, he prepared himself and his spiritual father and confessor was able to send word to him that he could depart in peace.  He received the Lord through Holy Communion a final time and entrusted his soul to the Lord for the journey.  He reposed shortly afterwards, in peace, and has left a gracious legacy for his widow, adult children and friends.  Our dear friend experienced what would be considered a “good” death from an Orthodox view.  May his memory be eternal!