Á-°Lord Jesus Christ son of God, have mercy upon the Priest SeraphimÁ-?
If this is too much for us, then all we need say is:
Á-°Lord have mercy upon the Priest SeraphimÁ-?.
This is the beginning for us. If we are faithful in prayer for others, God will guide us to deeper, more
earnest and heartfelt prayer, like the ApostleÁ-?s.
I have meant for a long time to write a little essay that I have considered entitling Á-°The hardest thing I
did todayÁ-?, or something like it. It would be about prayer. The hardest thing I do each day is pray
for others. There are a multitude of distractions that attempt to keep me from this task. And then when
I am praying, there is this Á-°voiceÁ-? that is whispering to me Á-°Why bother the master?Á-?
(Mark 5:35).
God
will hear the Á-°effective prayer of a righteous manÁ-?
(James 5:16),
and I am not righteous. How can I expect
God to hear my prayer? My state of mind is distracted, and wooden, and how can I expect God to hear
me in such a state?
These are powerful emotions, and they are from the pit of Hell. It is true that my prayer can be
distracted and wooden, but I know that if I try to pray, I will learn to pray! I also know that my intent is
good, even if my performance is flawed. God sees into our heart, and knows our intent, and helps us. If
am firmly convinced that the most important time of the day is when I pray for others, and no matter
how Á-°wellÁ-? I did, it is the best thing that I do every day.
I urge you to pray for others every day. Do not listen to the thoughts that tell you that your efforts are
wasted. Just pray.
http://www.orthodox.net/scripture/21st-week-after-pentecost_tuesday_colossians1;1-2,7-11+luke8;1-3.rtf
http://www.orthodox.net/scripture/21st-week-after-pentecost_tuesday_colossians1;1-2,7-11+luke8;1-3.pdf
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