www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Help me establish a prayer rule

As stated above i would enjoy the help in establishing a new prayer rule

Christ is in our midst!!

JohnFromRuthenia,

The best advice I ever was given is to set up a simple rule when you begin. By simple, I mean one that is something that you can maintain--not overly long, but one that you can adhere to over time. Ten minutes in the morning and ten minutes in the evening, for example.

I was told to use a prayerbook. The regular prayers for morning and evening, gain with the emphasis being to select a few that you pray regularly and unhurriedly. This last is very important. A rush to pray a large number of prayers is less important than praying one or two slowly, carefully, and with as much full concentration as you can muster.

Work the whole process out with your pastor or spiritual father. Report to him regularly about your progress.

Remember what the Desert Fathers say about prayer. The most difficult thing you will do this side of Heaven is to pray. The is nothing that the Enemy works harder at than to break up a pure prayer offered to God.

Remember, too, what St.Isaac the Syrian says about any endeavor. God asks of us only our determination. It is He who grants grace and success.

I always remember what I was told many years ago: God blesses the struggle.

Bob

This simple rule from this very site maybe useful.

https://www.byzcath.org/index.php/resources/faith-worship/a-rule-of-prayer

Many visitors of the elder St Seraphim of Sarov faulted themselves for praying very little, that they did not read even the morning and evening prayers.

St. Seraphim established for such people the following easily accomplished rule:

"Upon rising from sleep, let each Christian, standing before the holy icons, read the prayer "Our Father" thrice, in honor of the Most Holy Trinity. Then the song of the Mother of God: "Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos Mary, full of grace…" also thrice. In conclusion the Creed: "I believe…" — once. Completing such a rule, let each Orthodox engage in his duties, to which he is assigned or called. During his work at home or along the way anywhere he should quietly read "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy upon me, a sinner," but if others surround him, then, while busy with his duties, let him only say in his mind "Lord, have mercy," — and thus until lunch. Right before lunch let him repeat the morning rule. After lunch, busy with his work, let every Christian read just as quietly: "Most Holy Mother of God, save me, a sinner." When preparing for sleep, let every Christian again read the morning rule, i.e., "Our Father" thrice, "Rejoice, O Virgin Theotokos Mary" thrice and once "I believe."

St. Seraphim explained that, keeping to this small "rule," one can attain a measure of Christian perfection, because these three prayers — are the foundation of Christianity. The first, as the prayer given by the Lord Himself, is the pattern for all prayers. The second is brought from Heaven by the Archangel upon greeting the Mother of God. The Creed contains in itself all the salutary dogmas of the Christian faith.

In addition the elder counseled reading the Jesus prayer during activities, while walking, even in bed, and as confirmation used the following words from the letters to the Romans: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10: 13). For those who have time, the elder suggested reading the Gospel, canons, akathists, psalms.

Christ is in our midst!!

Father Deacon Lance,

Thank you for finding the link above. It was very useful to me as a review.

Bob