Prayer

Prayer is always possible for everyone, rich and poor, noble and simple, strong and weak, healthy and suffering, righteous and sinful. The power of prayer is great. Above all, it brings the spirit of God. –St. Seraphim

WHAT IS SIN?

To be saved, means to be free from sin, which is “Transgression of the law” (John 3,4); God’s and civil. According to men’s understanding, sin is lawlessness and disobedience.

The world is wicked today because of SIN, which spreads like a terrible disease. First, it entered one person (Eve); then a family (Adam and Eve), and now it is raging like a fever throughout the whole world. Our primary business should be to hate sin.

Because God is just and holy, He hates Sin. Whatever God wants, sin does not want. Instead of God’s holiness and purity, sin wants filthiness and obscenity; instead of virtue, sin wants vice; instead of honesty, sin wants deceit, dishonesty; instead of love, sin wants hatred.

But, worst of all, sin brought death (bodily and spiritual) into man’s life. A dead body is of little concern to Death unless the Soul is dead also. This is why the Bible teaches that “the Soul that Sinneth, it shall die.” (Ekek 18,4).

Written By Rt. Rev. Protopresbyter Peter G. Kohanik
(Written in 1948)

Prayer in Time of Trouble

O God, You are my Rock and my Salvation, To You I cling during this dark hour of tribulation. Hold my hand tightly, for I lack even that little strength I need to hold on to Your Hand. Have mercy on me, Lord, and deliver me from the trouble that besets me. I acknowledge that I deserve any chastisement that comes to me, for I know I have sinned, O Lord. Do not deal with me according to my sins, but according to Your bountiful mercy. For I am the work of Your hands. You know my weakness. You remember that I am but dust. Grant me strength to endure my tribulation with complete trust in You.

As You came to Peter and the other disciples late one stormy night on the Sea of Galilee to quell the storm and restore calm, quell the storm that rages in my soul. Take away all fear and anxiety. Fill me with Your peace. Grant that this trial may bring me closer to You. For You are my strength, my hope and my joy. Blessed is Your Name always Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Prayer from "My Daily Othodox Prayer Book, Anthony M. Coniaris