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Looking
back
August is
the last month in the Church year. 1st
September is the beginning of the new
year. Let us take this opportunity to
look back at how we have fared in our
Orthodox Christian life.
How have I loved God?
Have I spent too long in church?
Have I prayed too often?
Have I prayed for too long?
Have I read the Holy Scriptures too
much?
Have I trusted too much in God and
forgotten to worry?
How have I loved my brothers and
sisters in the Lord?
Have I spent too much time with them?
Have I spent too long praying for them?
Have I been too patient with them?
Have I spent too much money on them?
Have I been too attentive to their
needs?
How have I loved myself?
Have I spent too little time on my
appearance?
Have I spent too much time laying up
treasures in heaven?
Have I always eaten too little?
Have I spoilt myself by spending extra
time with God?
Have I pampered and overfed my soul?
If you have managed to answer “yes” to
any of these, you will be the exception
rather than the rule. We are all trying
to run the race that is set before us
with faith and trust in God. Like any
runner, we need training and refreshment
to keep us in the race. We need proper
equipment and clothing,
single-mindedness and perseverance. We
cannot all win, but we will all have
been in the race and will reach the
finishing post at our own speed.
A new
year / a new start.
Equipment:
Icon corner in your home to use for
prayer.
This is your powerhouse and supply
cupboard!
(Icons of the Saviour, the Theotokos,
your Name Saint and saints special to
you. Holy water to drink every day.
Blessed bread to eat every day. Holy oil
to anoint yourself when sick, before a
journey or for a blessing. Candles or
nite-lites to light when you pray.
Incense to offer to God and to bless
your home).
Body building food!
A Holy Bible and a Lectionary so that
you can read what the whole Church is
reading each day.
A book of prayers for every day and
time…..we are not so holy as to be able
to rely on the promptings of our hearts.
Let the deep sighings and joys of the
saints lift your prayers.
Books with lives of the Saints…..those
who have run before you give a good
example of how to do it and will pray
for you if you ask them.
A prayer rope to help you count your
“press ups”.
A list of others for whom you
pray…..never rely on memory alone!
The Lectionary will also help you to
know what season it is and so to know
which “excercises” are suitable to use.
Above all we need to foster a real
desire to let our lives be formed by our
commitment to God and His Holy Church.
Start right away….don’t wait for the
time to be right, it never will be.
Each week look at Wednesday, Friday,
Saturday and Sunday and make them
special.
Wednesday and Friday are usually Fast
Days…..observe them and pray.
Saturday you begin the preparation of
yourself to receive Christ….do it!
If you can you should be in church on
Saturday evening, if not, do not shirk,
but pray in your Icon Corner while we
pray in church.
Sunday is, without fail, the great feast
of the Resurrection and there is no
other place we should be except in
church!
If you
need help ask a fellow runner or the
unworthy coach!
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