www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Prayer For Christian Reconciliation and Unity

Lord Jesus, You came to earth to break the bonds of death for us and to show us the Way to the Kingdom where You and the Father dwell. Send the Holy Spirit to us and let
us see that Your Kingdom is within each of us to the extent that we let the Spirit in. Help each of us to see that there are others that You have called who are not of the particular flock that You have placed us in, but that they are our brothers and sisters nonetheless because they are Your followers just as we are. Grant us the grace to let the Holy Spirit heal the terrible wounds that we have all inflicted on Your Holy Body, the Church, just as we have inflicted the wounds on Your Physical Body by our sin, though we may be centuries in time removed from the time You suffered. Help us all to rise from the tombs we have constructed around ourselves that seal us in with our own self-righteousness and the Holy Spirit and our brothers and sisters out. Expand our vision and make our love so grow that we will see each one who calls himself your servant as our brother or sister rather than "one of them" that is "separate from us." Show us Your kindness and have patience with us and with the mess we have all made.

Lord, may each of us who calls himself Your servant take time today to remember that there are others You have placed in this world with theological and doctrinal positions that are directly opposite to what You have given us in the place where You placed us. Let us with Your Grace learn that these may also call themselves Your servants. Let us remember that we have no corner on You, Your Grace, Your Great Mercy, or Your Promises. Let us remember that we do have the same command from You, that we love one another as You have loved us. Help us to remember that Your commandment of love does not release us from living and preaching Your Good News as we have received it, but let us also remember that our brother who may be opposite to us has also been given the Good News even though we may not recognize it in the form he has received it. Shine into all hearts and let each one speak the Truth as he has received it and be charitable to others in listening to them speak. Grant to us the day when the Holy Spirit will cut through the Tower of Babel we have erected in Your Vineyard by our own sin. Let each one remember that his brother does not hold his understanding of the Truth as a heretic, but rather as one who has been placed in another place than oneself.

Grant all these things, Lord, so that the healing of Your Holy Body, the Church, may come quickly.

Through the prayers of the All-holy, Ever-Virgin, Mother of God, Mary, who is also our mother by Your gracious Gift from the Cross, through the intercessions of the holy apostles, saints, martyrs, and of all the blessed spirits You have gathered into Your Kingdom from every age, land, and culture, through the intercessions of the holy Choirs of angels who have one will in doing the Will of the Father, O Savior, save us all. AMEN.

AMEN!

Theophan, you should really consider teaming up with Orthodox Catholic in writing your prayers and services. You both have a gift that should not be ignored.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

Thank you for this beautiful prayer and most of all being open to Christ's call for His followers (disciples) to be bound in a union of love.

Ray

Bless, Father Anthony,

Is it possible to do an Akathist for a specific, general request - besides in honour of Our Lord or a Saint?

Alex

AMEN!

Thanks Theophan.

Very good. I repeat what others said Amen. That was very moving

Alex,

This is one that I have to look into. A General Intercessory Akathist would be interesting, but if you could come up with one ode and send it to me, I can check into if we are on the right track theologically. I think it would be a good service to have, especially for those that want to add to their regular prayer rule.

PM me with some of your thoughts.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

Lovely prayer. Thank you, Bob.

Cheers,

Mary Jo

Dear Theophan,

Surely the Holy Spirit speaks through you. You are truly blessed.

In Christ,

Zenovia

This does not exactly fit, but it is a beautiful old prayer that fits today's times.


Prayer For Christian Families
By Pope Pius XII

O LORD, God of goodness and mercy, who in the midst of an evil and sinful world hast presented to the society of the redeemed the Holy Family of Nazareth as a spotless mirror of piety, justice and love, behold how the family is being undermined on all sides, every effort being made to desecrate it by stripping it of faith, religion and morals.

Regard the work of Thy own hands. Safeguard in our homes the domestic virtues, for these alone will ensure us harmony and peace.

Come and stir up the champions of the family. Bestir the modern apostles so that in Thy Name, bearing the message of Jesus Christ and exhibiting holiness of life, they may revive the doctrines of conjugal fidelity for married couples, the exercise of authority by parents, obedience on the part of children and modesty on the part of girls. Grant also through the efforts of these apostles, that the home favoured by Thee with many blessings may again become an object of esteem and love in the minds and hearts of all.

It is through the examples of the divine model of Nazareth that the Christian family is to be restored in Jesus Christ and to recover its former respect and dignity. Then every home will again become a sanctuary and in every household will be rekindled the flame of faith to teach patience in adversity and moderation in prosperity and to promote order, peace and harmony in all things.

Under Thy paternal gaze, O Lord, and with confidence in Thy Providence and in the loving patronage of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the family will become a sanctuary of virtue and a school of wisdom. It shall prove, as Christ has promised, a haven of rest against life's burdens. In the sight of the world it shall render glory to Thee, O Father, and to Thy Son, Jesus, until the day when, through Him, we shall, together with all His members, sing the divine praises in the eternal ages to come. Amen.


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james

Dear friends,The following is the Youngstown-Warren Ohio Chapter prayer of the Society of St. John Chrysostom. This prayer closes each of our meetings.

Chapter Prayer

Portion of a prayer to Saint John Chrysostom (From an Akathist)

O great Hierarch John Chrysostom!

�As for us sinners, each having our own gifts, we lack the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace;

we are vain, provoking one another; therefore our divided gifts come not unto peace and salvation,

but rather unto enmity and to our judgment.

For this cause we fall down before thee, O Hierarch of God, in the grip of dissensions,

and in contrition of heart we ask:

By thy prayers, drive away from our hearts all pride and envy that divide us,

so that in many members there may be one churchly Body,

and so that according to the word of thy Prayer we may love one another and in one accord confess

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the Trinity One in Essence and Undivided:
now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Amen, amen , amen.

He is risen and will continue to rise. When there are no longer divisions it will be a glorious day.
I hope for unity not only among the larger parts or the body, but for small splinters to come together too.
I wish I could say it as well as some others do. We all have our gifts, mine does not seem to be writing. Blessings to those who write well to write more.