PRAYER IS THE KEY TO THE DOOR OF GOD’S KINGDOM

And elsewhere it says: "What father among you, if his son asks
for bread, will give him a stone instead? Or if he asks for a fish,
will give him a snake? So if you who are evil know how to give
good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in
heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him1" [Luke 11:10-13].

With these Divine words, and with such great promises, our Lord calls us all to prayer. Prayer is the light and life of our soul. It is an Everlasting bond uniting us to the Almighty God and Creator. Whoever neglects to pray or has absolutely no interest to enjoy communion with Him, is already spiritually lifeless and dead. The Holy Apostle Paul reminds us: "Persevere in prayer, being watchful and thankful" [Colossians 4:2], and "Pray WITHOUT CEASING, GIVE THANKS IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR THIS IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST JESUS" [1 Thessalonians 5:17-18], and additionally he says, "Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition, being watchful to this end with ALL PERSEVERANCE AND SUPPLICATION" [Ephesians 6:18].

PRAYERS OF THE BRIEF COMPLINE

Prayer to the Ever-Virgin Mary the Theotokos

O Spotless, undefiled, incorruptible, chaste and pure Virgin-Bride of God, Who
by Your Wondrous conception unite God the Logos/Word with man, and joined
our fallen nature with the Heavens; the only hope of the hopeless, and the help
of the persecuted; the ever-ready to rescue all that flee unto You, and the refuge
of all Christians, spurn me not, the branded sinner, who by shameful thoughts,
words and deeds, has made my whole being useless, and through indolence, has
enslaved my judgment to the pleasures of this life. But as the Mother of the
Merciful God, mercifully show compassion unto me, the sinner and prodigal, and
accept my supplication which is offered from impure lips unto You.

With Your maternal approach entreat Your Son our Lord, and Master to open for
me the merciful depths of His loving kindness; and overlooking my countless
transgressions, guide me to repentance, and show me forth as a worthy worker of
His commandments. As You are merciful, compassionate, and gentle, be at my
side; and in the present life, be my fervent Protectress and helper, thwarting the
assaults of the adversaries, and leading me to salvation; and in the hour of my
passing take care of my wretched soul, and cast far away the dark faces of the
demons. And at the Dreadful Day of Judgment, deliver me from Eternal punishment,
and prove me an heir to the inefable Glory of Your Son, and our God.

May this glory be my share, O my Lady, Most-Holy Theotokos through your
meditation and help, by the Grace and mercy of Your Only-Begotten Son our Lord,
and God, and Savior, Jesus Christ; to Whom is due all glory, honor and worship,
together with His Eternal Father, and His All-Holy and Good and Life-Giving Spirit,
now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

PRAYER TO OUR LORD, GOD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST

O Lord, grant unto us, as we depart for sleep, rest of body and soul, and protect us
from the gloomy sleep of sin and form every dark nocturnal pleasure. Suppress the
impulse of passions, quench the fiery darts of evil, which insidiously move against us.
Check the impulses of our flesh, and quiet every earthy and mundane desire within
us. Grant to us, O God, an alert mind, prudent reason, a sober heart and a peaceful
sleep, free from every satanic fantasy. Raise us up at the time of prayer, holding fast
to Your Commandments and having the remembrance of Your judgments unbroken
within us. Grant unto us Your Glorification through the night, that we may praise,
bless, and glorify Your Most Honorable and Magnificent Name, of the Father and of
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

1st Reader:
Most-Glorious, Ever-Virgin Blessed Theotokos,
present our prayer to Your Son, and our God, and
entreat Him, so that through You He will save our
souls.

2nd Reader:
My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son,
my shelter is the Holy Spirit, O Holy Trinity, Glory
to You.

1st Reader
My every hope I entrust unto You; O Mother of
God, keep me under YOur protection.

The Prayer of Saint Ephraim

O Lord and Master of my life!
Take from me the spirit of sloth,
despair, lust of power and idle
talk. {Prostration]

But give rather the spirit of chastity,
humility, patience and lover to Thy
servant. {Prostration)

Yes, O Lord and King! Grant me to
see my own transgressions and not to
judge my brother [and sister], for blessed
art Thou, unto age of ages. [Prostration]

THE PSALMS

The Psalms have become for the Church, as for ancient Israel, a book of prayer and praise. All find their fulfillment in Christ, the Son of God. Not only do the Psalms in the Old Testament predict specific events of Christ’s life, but in them He Himself intercedes for and with His people before the Father. The Psalms can also be seen as a dialogue between the Church, the body of Christ, and Christ her Head. Therefore, thy make the most sense to us when they are prayed or chanted, not simply read.

The Book of Psalms, or Psalter, is used in the Orthodox Church in three primary ways:

[a] In the daily cycle of prayers. The liturgical tradition appoints certain psalms as "fixed" portions of the daily services. [b] In the weekly order of the morning and evening services [Matins (Orthros) and Vepers (Esperinos).  When the are done in their entirety, as in the Monasteries, all the psalms are chanted in the course of each week, starting at Saturday Vespers and concluding at Matins (Orthros) the following Sunday. [c] In the observance of the Church year, the liturgical tradition selects particular psalms or verses for special feasts or seasons as prophetic statement illustrating the work of Christ for us.

What is recommended to all Orthodox Christians who need help in strengthening their prayer life is to use the psalms as their guide and inspiration. Especially those who are just beginning and are confused about how to pray to our Savior. There are 151 psalms and each one is unique, inspired, and meaningful for any one whose heart is open to the grace of God. It is imperative that whether one reads the psalms or any segment of the Holy Scripture to approach them prayerfully, with humility, with faith, and with a contrite and broken heart.

The prayer that is read by the priest before the Gospel reading at every Divine Liturgy and can be used by every Orthodox believer
is the following:

Illumine our hearts, O Master Who lovest mankind, with the pure Light of Thy
Divine knowledge. Open the eyes of our mind to the understanding of Thy Gospel
teachings. Implant also in us the fear of Thy Blessed Commandments, that,
trampling down all carnal desires, we may enter upon a spiritual manner of living,
both thinking and doing such things as are well-pleasing unto Thee. For Thou art
the illumination of our souls and bodies, O Christ our God, and unto Thee we
ascribe glory, together with Thy Father, Who is from Everlasting, and Thine All-Holy,
Good, and Life-creating Spirit, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

A BLESSED AND GOD-INSPIRED HOLY LENT TO ALL OF YOU

________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George