Prayer & Praise
Grant, O Lord, that I may face all that this new day is to bring with peace of mind.
Grant that I may dedicate myself completely to Thy holy will.
Every hour of the day, instruct and
For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in all things.
Whatsoever I may receive during the day, teach me to accept them tranquilly, with the firm conviction that everything cometh by Thy holy will.
Govern my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say.
When unforeseen things occur, do not let me forget that everything cometh from Thee.
Teach me to behave sincerely and wisely toward every member of my family, not embittering or embarrassing others.
Grant me strength, my Lord, to bear the fatigue of the coming day and all that it shall bring.
Guide my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love, and pray Thyself in me.
Amen.
Metropolitan Filaret
Amen.
This is the Prayer of the Optima Elders and is prayed everyday by many Orthodox Christians.
Amen.
Please pray for our 3 year old grandson who will be having his 3rd open heart surgery on Thur. May 5. It’s a very dangerous but necessary surgery. My “grandma” heart is aching for my son and his wife and our precious little boy. Leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus.
Lord, have mercy.
Nonnie, that’s little Bennet, isn’t it? praying for you and you dear ones here also
Em, yes our Bennet. Thank you for praying .
Oh Nonnie….. our grandson was just sick with the flu and seeing him so ill broke my heart. I can’t comprehend the story that is Bennet. I will pray for him as often as I can as well as the entire family.
I need prayer. For comfort. This is the season my mother died when I was 6. And my sister died when I was 18 (actually, November). I’ve battled a serious case of Crohn’s Disease for twenty years and last October was hospitalized for eight weeks for brain surgery (twice). Thank u for your prayers. I know God will hear.
I prayed just now for you Neo. I’m sure you loved your mother and your sister deeply and I thank you for showing that it’s okay to ask for comfort years after their passing.
God brought you through those surgeries for His reasons and I pray He gives you the strength to carry on and if it be His will that He would do a miracle in your body. God bless you Neo.
Neo, your declaration of faith in light of everything encouraged me tonight and i, too, will pray for you to feel God’s strength and comfort tonight
Praying for you Neo. You are loved.
Praying for Neo and little Bennet.
Lord, have mercy on our brother Neo.
Happy Easter!
Christ is risen!
Christ is risen from the dead,
Trampling down death by death,
And upon those in the tombs
Bestowing life!
i was thinking about your celebration this morning, Xenia – He is risen indeed – i pray you and yours enjoy the day
prayer for my youngest would be appreciated today – she needs strength and protection
the deer broke thru the fence again and my daughter woke up at daybreak to her horses enjoying themselves in the neighbor’s field, so her day started out chasing ponies – May Day, indeed – but she works today with critical care patients and it will be a long (12-16 hr. day) and she’s not a kid anymore, herself
Some memories from last night….
-The procession outside around the Church building, with icons, banners, the Gospel book and the Cross, singing the Easter hymn, Christ is Risen, Truly He is risen!
-The Gospel reading from the first chapter of St. John read in many languages: English, Church Slavonic, Macedonian, German, Spanish (my husband read this one), French, Danish and Greek.
– Singing “Christ is risen!” over and over, in many languages.
– A robust reading of St. John Chrysostom’s Paschal sermon.*
– Big crowd at 11:30 pm which thinned to about 30 people as the night progressed.
– Toddlers running around with lit candles.
– Father G. passing out kisses, blessings and red eggs.
– Everyone giving each other the triple Russian kiss and saying “Christ is risen!” “Truly He is risen!”
-Receiving Holy Communion at about 3:30 AM.
– Breaking the fast in the Church hall, mostly cold cuts and sliced cheese.
– Home at 4:00 AM and sound asleep by 4:05 AM.
– Up at 9 and eating bacon and eggs with my husband and dog on the patio, what a lovely day it is today! All the birds are singing about the Resurrection of Christ !
– Later on, meandering over to father G’s house for food and fun. I am taking BBQ chicken.
Christ is Risen!
——
*The Paschal (Easter) sermon:
If any be a devout lover of God,
let him partake with gladness from this fair and radiant feast.
If any be a faithful servant,
let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord.
If any have wearied himself with fasting,
let him now enjoy his reward.
If any have labored from the first hour,
let him receive today his rightful due.
If any have come after the third,
let him celebrate the feast with thankfulness.
If any have come after the sixth,
let him not be in doubt, for he will suffer no loss.
If any have delayed until the ninth,
let him not hesitate but draw near.
If any have arrived only at the eleventh,
let him not be afraid because he comes so late.
For the Master is generous and accepts the last even as the first.
He gives rest to him who comes at the eleventh hour
in the same was as him who has labored from the first.
He accepts the deed, and commends the intention.
Enter then, all of you, into the joy of our Lord.
First and last, receive alike your reward.
Rich and poor, dance together.
You who fasted and you who have not fasted, rejoice together.
The table is fully laden: let all enjoy it.
The calf is fatted: let none go away hungry.
Let none lament his poverty;
for the universal Kingdom is revealed.
Let none bewail his transgressions;
for the light of forgiveness has risen from the tomb.
Let none fear death;
for death of the Savior has set us free.
He has destroyed death by undergoing death.
He has despoiled hell by descending into hell.
He vexed it even as it tasted of His flesh.
Isaiah foretold this when he cried:
Hell was filled with bitterness when it met Thee face to face below;
filled with bitterness, for it was brought to nothing;
filled with bitterness, for it was mocked;
filled with bitterness, for it was overthrown;
filled with bitterness, for it was put in chains.
Hell received a body, and encountered God. It received earth, and confronted heaven.
O death, where is your sting?
O hell, where is your victory?
Christ is risen! And you, o death, are annihilated!
Christ is risen! And the evil ones are cast down!
Christ is risen! And the angels rejoice!
Christ is risen! And life is liberated!
Christ is risen! And the tomb is emptied of its dead;
for Christ having risen from the dead,
is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
To Him be Glory and Power, now and forever, and from all ages to all ages.
Amen!
Praying for little Bennet and Neo this week.
There’s a potential, almost perfect, project I’m trying to join. Would allow me to stay in town instead of travel which would be fantastic, I’d get to work with a friend who I work well with, and it’s long term. It’s perfect for right now.
Prayers appreciated.
Praying for the list here…glad to see the participation.
Good luck, London!
Praying for Bennet and Neo and everyone else too. 🙂
Praying for Neo, Bennet and the opportunity for London…
Asking prayers for Filbertz family as they mourn the death of their oldest son, an Army Sargent who served at least one, possibly two tours in Afghanistan. Thank you.
Neo, I remember that day and the terrible phone call I received informing me of your beautiful mother’s death… catastrophic loss for you and your sisters…. and dad… and then, years later, your darling sister…. shocking.
Sending you love…and praying for God’s sustaining mercies.
Lord have mercy.
Praying for you London.
My heart breaks for Filbertz family.
Heart sick at the news of Flibertz’ son’s passing.
God keep the Filbertz family close and comforted – such sorrowful news to read tonight
praying for all this thread still
Fil and his wife are personal friends…and I will tell you that they are two of the dearest people I’ve had the privilege of knowing.
I can’t even imagine what they are going through…prayers coveted for them.
Oh Loving Lord, comfort our friends family as the our the loss of their son.
My heart just sunk reading the news about Filbertz’s son. Lord have mercy on Fil and his family.
it’s noon now where i am and i’m late to post, but…
praying today for baby Bennet and those who love him and those who are caring and working on his healing today… Lord Jesus, oh we need You, Holy Spirit bring comfort, and Father, we rest in Your love and mercy as we think on this event now…
Please pray for 3 year old Bennet today.
8AM Pacific time he will be having his 3rd open heart surgery. Mama, Daddy and Bennet are on their way to hospital as I type this. We will leave in a few minutes to wait with them.
Resting in the God who is with us. It is well with my soul.
Praying for Bennet, family and medical staff