The rector of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Saratov, Hegumen Pachomius (Bruskov), answers questions about the personal prayer rule of a Christian.
Prayer is the free appeal of a person’s soul to God. How to correlate this freedom with the obligation to read the rule even when you clearly don’t want to do it?
Freedom is not permissiveness. A person is designed in such a way that if he allows himself to relax, it can be very difficult to return to his previous state. IN hagiographic literature There are many examples of ascetics abandoning their prayer rule for the sake of showing love to visiting brothers. Thus, they placed the commandment of love above their prayer rule. But it should be remembered that these people reached extraordinary heights of spiritual life and were constantly in prayer. When we feel that we do not want to pray, this is a banal temptation, and not a manifestation of freedom.
The rule supports a person in a spiritually developed state; it should not depend on the momentary mood. If a person abandons the prayer rule, he very quickly becomes relaxed.
In addition, it should be remembered that when a person communicates with God, the enemy of our salvation always strives to come between them. And not allowing him to do this is not a restriction of personal freedom.
At what point in time should you read the morning and evening rules?
This is clearly and clearly written in any Orthodox prayer book: “Rising from sleep, before doing any other thing, stand reverently before the All-Seeing God and, making the sign of the cross, say...”. In addition, the very meaning of the prayers tells us that morning prayers are read at the very beginning of the day, when a person’s mind is not yet occupied with any thoughts. A evening prayers should be read at bedtime, after any business. In these prayers, sleep is compared with death, bed with a deathbed. And it’s strange, after talking about death, to go watch TV or communicate with relatives.
Any prayer rule is based on the experience of the Church, to which we must listen. These rules do not violate human freedom, but help to obtain maximum spiritual benefit. Of course, there may be exceptions to any rule based on some unforeseen circumstances.
What else, besides morning and evening prayers, can be included in a layman’s prayer rule?
A layman’s rule can include quite a variety of prayers and rites. These can be various canons, akathists, readings Holy Scripture or Psalms, bows, Jesus Prayer. In addition, the rule should include a brief or more detailed commemoration of the health and repose of loved ones. In monastic practice, there is a custom to include the reading of patristic literature in the rule. But before you add anything to your prayer rule, you need to think carefully, consult with a priest, and evaluate your strengths. After all, the rule can be read regardless of mood, fatigue, or other cardiac movements. And if a person promised something to God, it must be fulfilled. The Holy Fathers say: let the rule be small, but constant. At the same time, you need to pray with all your heart.
Can a person himself, without a blessing, begin to read canons and akathists in addition to the prayer rule?
Of course it can. But if he not only read the prayer according to the desire of his heart, but thereby increases his constant prayer rule, it is better to ask the confessor for a blessing. The priest, looking from the outside, will assess his condition correctly: whether such an increase will benefit him. If a Christian regularly confesses, watches his inner life, such a change in his rule will, one way or another, affect his spiritual life.
But this is possible when a person has a confessor. If there is no confessor, and he himself decided to add something to his rule, it is still better to consult at the next confession.
On days when the service lasts all night and Christians do not sleep, is it necessary to read evening and morning prayers?
We do not tie the morning and evening rule to a specific time. However, it would be wrong to read evening prayers in the morning, and morning prayers in the evening. We should not have a pharisaical attitude towards the rule and read it at all costs, ignoring the meaning of the prayers. If you are not going to sleep, why ask for God's blessing to sleep? You can replace the morning or evening rule with other prayers or reading the Gospel.
Is it possible for a woman to read the prayer rule at home with her head uncovered?
- I think that it is better for a woman to perform the prayer rule in a headscarf. This cultivates humility in her and shows her obedience to the Church. After all, from the Holy Scriptures we learn that a woman covers her head not for those around her, but for the Angels (1 Cor. 11:10). This is a matter of personal piety. Of course, God doesn’t care whether you stand up for prayer with or without a scarf, but it is important for you.
How are the canons and the procedure for Holy Communion read: on one day the day before, or can their reading be divided over several days?
- You cannot approach the fulfillment of the prayer rule formally. A person must build his relationship with God himself, based on prayer preparation, health, free time, and practice of communication with his confessor.
Today, in preparation for Communion, a tradition has developed to read three canons: to the Lord, the Mother of God and the Guardian Angel, an akathist to the Savior or the Mother of God, and the following to Holy Communion. I think it is better to read the entire rule on one day before Communion. But if it’s hard, you can spread it over three days.
Often friends and acquaintances ask how to prepare for Communion, how to read the Psalter? What should they answer to us, the laity?
- You need to answer what you know for sure. You can’t take responsibility for something, strictly prescribe something to someone else, or say something you’re not sure about. When answering, you must be guided by the generally accepted tradition church life today. If not personal experience, we need to resort to the experience of the Church and the Holy Fathers. And if you are asked a question the answer to which you do not know, you should be advised to contact a priest or the patristic works.
I read the translation of some prayers into Russian. It turns out that before I put a completely different meaning into them. Should we strive for a common understanding, read translations, or can we understand prayers as our heart tells us?
Prayers should be understood as they are written. An analogy can be drawn with ordinary literature. We read the work and understand it in our own way. But it is always interesting to find out what meaning the author himself put into this work. Also the text of the prayer. The author has invested a special meaning in each of them. After all, we are not reading a conspiracy, but turning to God with a specific request or praise. You can recall the words of the Apostle Paul that it is better to say five words in an understandable language than a thousand in an incomprehensible one (1 Cor. 14:19). In addition, the authors of most Orthodox prayers are holy ascetics glorified by the Church.
How to relate to modern prayers? Is it possible to read everything that is written in prayer books, or prefer the more ancient ones?
- Personally, I am more moved by the words of the more ancient canons, the stichera. They seem deeper and more insightful to me. But many people also like modern akathists for their simplicity.
If the Church has accepted prayers, you need to treat them with reverence, respect and try to find benefit for yourself. But understand that some modern prayers are not so High Quality, like prayers composed by ancient ascetics.
When a person writes a prayer for public use, he must understand what responsibility he takes on. He must have experience in prayer, but at the same time be well educated. All texts offered by modern prayer creators must be edited and undergo strict selection.
What is more important: finishing the rules at home or being on time for work?
- Go to work. If a person is going to church, then public prayer should come first. Although the fathers compared public and home prayer to the two wings of a bird. Just as a bird cannot fly with one wing, neither can a person. If he does not pray at home, but only goes to church, then, most likely, prayer will not work for him in church either. After all, he has no experience of personal communication with God. If a person only prays at home, but does not go to church, it means that he has no understanding of what the Church is. And without the Church there is no salvation.
How can a layman, if necessary, replace the service at home?
Published today a large number of liturgical literature, various prayer books. If a layman cannot attend the service, he can read both the morning and evening service, and obednitsa.
Is it possible to read the rule while sitting?
The Apostle Paul writes: “Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is profitable” (1 Cor. 6:12). If you are tired or sick, you can sit in Church while reading house rules. But you should understand what you are guided by: pain, which prevents you from praying, or laziness. If the alternative to reading prayer while sitting is not doing it at all, it is, of course, better to read while sitting. If a person is seriously ill, you can even lie down. But if he is just tired or is overcome by laziness, he needs to overcome himself and get up. During services, the Charter regulates when you can stand or sit. For example, we listen to the reading of the Gospel and akathists while standing, but while reading kathismas, sedals, and teachings we sit down.
You don't always have the strength and ability to stand. The work is difficult physical labor, and by the evening a person is so tired that his legs are buzzing. Due to advancing years, age-related diseases appear. A pregnant woman who has lower back pain and swollen legs. There are many reasons, but a person feels the need for prayer.
What now, not to pray at all? Of course not. Be sure to pray while sitting. And this can be done, despite the indignation of the grandmothers from the church.
What is prayer?
This is direct communication with God. Conversation with Him. This is a conversation between a child and his Father. But we won’t explain ourselves in lofty words, but will talk about it more simply.
When we pray, we meet God. We meet the Mother of God and the saints, to whom we fall in prayer. We ask them for something, and after some time we realize that our request has been fulfilled. And thanks to this, comes the awareness of the participation of saints in our lives, as well as the participation of God. He is always there, always ready to help and patiently waiting for us to turn to him.
There is another type of prayer. This prayer is a dialogue. When a person is having a conversation, it is important for him not only to speak out, but also to hear the opinion of the interlocutor. The moment we offer prayers to God, we need to be prepared for Him to reveal Himself to us. Sometimes not the way we imagine Him. Therefore, you cannot invent an image of God for yourself, or somehow imagine him. We see God in icons, we see the Mother of God, saints. It's enough.
Is it possible to read prayers while sitting? Imagine that a man came to his father. I came after work, I really want to talk to him, but my legs hurt and I’m so tired that I just don’t have the strength to stand. Will the father, seeing this, not talk to his child? Or will he make him stand as a sign of respect for his parent? Of course not. Quite the contrary: seeing how tired the son is, he will suggest that he sit down, drink a cup of tea and talk.
So, will God, seeing a person’s zeal, not accept sincere prayer just because the person praying is sitting?
When do we pray?
Most often, when something happens in life and help is urgently needed. Then the person begins to pray and ask God for this help. He simply has no other hope. Help is coming happy man rejoices, forgets to thank and moves away from God until the next emergency. Is it correct? Hardly.
Ideally, we should live our lives prayerfully. Live with it the same way we live with air. People do not forget to breathe, because without oxygen we will simply die in a few minutes. Without prayer, the soul dies; this is its “oxygen”.
Given our busy schedule and living conditions, it is extremely difficult to constantly be in prayer. The hustle and bustle at work, the hustle and bustle in everyday life, the people around you - it’s all too much. And it's too noisy around us. However, we wake up in the morning. And what do we think about first? About what you have to do today. We get up, wash, get dressed, have breakfast and forward - towards the new bustle. But you need to adjust your morning a little. Get up and thank God for another day given to you. Ask for His intercession during the day. Of course, the most the best option- read morning prayers. But no one has yet canceled gratitude from the heart.
Prayer throughout the day
Is this possible given our workload? Why not, everything is possible. Is it possible to pray while sitting, for example, in a car? Certainly. You can go to work and mentally pray to God.
A man sat down to eat - before the meal he needed to pray mentally, read the Lord's Prayer. No one will hear this, but what is the benefit for the one praying! He ate, thanked the Lord for the meal, and went back to work.
Prayer in the temple
Is it possible to pray while sitting? Orthodox person? Especially in the temple, where everyone is standing? Due to weakness - it is possible. There is such a wonderful phrase from Metropolitan Philaret of Moscow: “It is better to think about God while sitting than to think about your feet while standing.”
Some illnesses make it difficult for a person to stand. And with other weaknesses it is not always easy. Therefore, you should not be embarrassed by sitting on a bench in a temple. There are certain places in the service where you must stand when proclaiming them. This is the Cherubic Hymn, the reading of the Gospel, the prayers “I Believe” and “Our Father,” and the removal of the Chalice. In other cases, if you feel that you cannot stand the service, sit down.
Home prayer
Is it possible to sit and pray in front of icons at home? There is nothing wrong with this if a person does it due to illness or other valid reasons. If it’s just laziness, it’s better not to be lazy and get up and pray while standing.
In the case when the person praying is very tired, it is quite acceptable to sit on a chair or on a sofa near the icons, pick up a prayer book and pray from the heart.
What should sick people do?
What if a person is so sick that he cannot get up on his own? Or bedridden? Or is it due to very old age? He can’t even pick up a prayer book. How then to pray? And in general, is it possible to pray lying down or sitting?
In this case, you can ask one of the household members to submit a prayer book. Keep it close to the bed, so that the patient can reach it independently. More precisely, reach out and take it. As for reading the Gospel, family members may well take a couple of minutes and read an excerpt from it at the request of the patient.
In addition, a bedridden person is able to pray mentally. There is nothing reprehensible about turning to God in your own words. In a prayer that comes from the depths of the heart, from the whole soul, how can there be anything offensive to God? Even if it is read in an “unidentified” position. The Lord sees the heart of the one who prays and knows his thoughts. And accepts the prayer of the sick or infirm.
Is it possible to pray at home, sitting or lying down? Yes. And it’s not just possible, but necessary. “Those who are healthy don’t call for a doctor, but those who are sick really need a doctor.” And not only in the literal sense of these words.
Can prayer be objectionable?
Complex issue. She may not be heard, rather. Why? Everything depends on the quality of prayer. If a person reads it in a formulaic manner in 15 minutes, without thinking about the words and their meaning, closes the prayer book - and that’s the end of it, what kind of prayer is this? It is not clear to a person what and why he read. But God doesn’t need a template, He needs sincerity.
Who can you pray to while sitting at home? And to God, and the Mother of God, and the saints. Let the prayer be performed in a sitting position, but from the heart. This is better than standing in front of the icons and simply reading the rule without understanding anything in it and without trying to do it.
Children's prayer
Is it possible for a child to pray while sitting? Children's prayer is considered the most sincere. Because children are innocent, naive and trust God. It’s not for nothing that the Lord himself said: be like children.
There are concessions for children. Including in prayer rule. The most important thing is not to force the child to read long and incomprehensible prayers. Let the baby read, for example, “Our Father” before going to bed and talk to God in his own words. This is much more useful than reading out the rules with a cold heart, because mom said so, that is, according to the principle “adults should.” And it’s not for adults, it’s for the child himself.
Prayers of Thanksgiving
We often ask without thanking. The latter must not be forgotten. It would be unpleasant for us to fulfill someone's request and not hear thank you in return. Why should God give us something, knowing our ingratitude?
Is it possible to pray while sitting, read a thanksgiving akathist, or offer a prayer? Are you tired? You feel sick? Sore feet? Then sit and don't worry about it. Sit down, take an akathist or prayer book in your hands, and read calmly, slowly, thoughtfully. Great benefit for the person praying. And God is glad to see such sincere gratitude.
When you don't have the strength to pray
It happens that you don’t have the strength to pray. No way. Neither standing, nor sitting, nor lying down. Prayer doesn’t work, the person doesn’t want to do it.
What to do then? Force yourself to get up, stand in front of the icons, pick up a prayer book and read at least one prayer. Through force. Because we don’t always want to pray, no matter how surprising it may sound. How can you not want to communicate with God? It’s wild, strange, incomprehensible, but such states do exist. And when they appear, you need to force yourself to pray.
But it probably won’t be from the heart? And here everything depends on the person praying. You can read every word with utmost attention, even if it is just one prayer. Such a prayerful attitude will be much more useful than if you do not pray at all or read the rule with just your lips, when your thoughts are hovering somewhere far, far away.
How long does it take? 20 minutes, no more. This is because a person quickly reads it, and that’s it. So it’s better to spend these 20 minutes reading two prayers, but with sense and concentration, than to scold them somehow, because that’s how it’s supposed to be.
Important addition
What do you need to know when starting to pray? Just an answer to the question, is it possible to pray while sitting or lying down? No. The main thing to remember is that you need to pray thoughtfully. Try to understand every word of the prayer. And the latter must come from the heart. This is why you need to not only read the rules, but also pray in your own words.
Conclusion
From the article we learned whether it is possible to pray while sitting. In case of serious illness, senile infirmity, pregnancy or very severe fatigue, this is not prohibited. Children are allowed to pray while sitting.
As for bedridden patients, in their case it is quite appropriate to offer prayers to God in the usual position.
It is not the position that is important, although it plays an important role. The most important thing is the heart and soul of a person, sincere, burning and striving for God.
prayers are read in any position, for example, Muslims read while sitting on their knees and standing, Christians stand while lying down, a person reads and prays in various boredom and situations, some begin to read in some kind of danger and pray, for example, while standing or hanging over a cliff, or given destruction, on war, under water, lying down, sitting, standing, they usually read the fields while standing, asking, and the rest are prayers based on the situation, where you are and what’s wrong with you
I think it's certainly possible. Moreover, in the Catholic Church, I know, there are special benches. People of different ages have the opportunity to calm atmosphere(it is not necessary to breathe down each other’s necks and bump with elbows), they can concentrate all their attention on prayer, on the service. While in Orthodox Church, most people think about when all this will end and it will be possible to sit down and relax somewhere. For some reason, people need to experience discomfort and suffering, although in the end it doesn’t matter whether you sit or stand. The main thing is, do you believe that your soul really needs communication with God?
You can't help but wonder about the value common man for the state and the church, but that’s another question...
I think it is possible. Why do you need a mediator between your request to God and you? Religion came up with all the rules. I am not against the church, it helps many people to believe better in various life situations. But you must convey your request - prayer - in an environment that is calm for you, without distractions, in order to be heard. And how to do this - how comfortable it is for you, even standing, even lying down.
You can pray while sitting, lying down, or on the move: in Orthodoxy there is even the concept of unceasing prayer: you don’t have to stand to turn to God.
If we are talking about a prayer rule, it is important here why you read while sitting - because it is physically difficult to stand (you are sick), or because of laziness. The second, of course, is not welcome. A saying is often quoted - unfortunately, I don’t remember exactly who the author is, I think St. Philaret - It is better to think about God while sitting than to think about your feet while standing. But I think sometimes we are being disingenuous when we bring him up. We can stand, but it’s easier to sit down, and we give in to weakness.
Personally, I find it easier to concentrate when I'm standing. But if, due to illness, a person cannot pray while standing, shouldn’t he give up prayer altogether? I think, however, if you always read the rule while sitting, it is better to ask for advice from the priest to whom you are confessing.
On church services your order: the Gospels and akathists are listened to while standing, and while reading kathismas, sedals, and teachings you are allowed to sit down.
Of course you can! You can read the prayer standing, sitting, lying down, in the position in which you can. It’s just that when a person wants to repent or asks for something very important, he kneels, this is how the best effect is achieved, the person himself sets himself up to suffer something!
Can. Prayers can be read in any position in which you are comfortable. God doesn’t care in what position you address him. It is much more important how sincere your prayer is. And the fact that you can pray in a certain position: kneeling or just standing - people came up with this.
You can not only sit, but also stand and lie down, even upside down.
The main thing is that the prayer is sincere and said from the bottom of your heart, and in what position you say it, out loud or silently, it doesn’t matter at all.
Prayer is an individual matter. Some pray standing, some on their knees, some prostrate, some lying on the bed. And nothing prevents you from sitting and praying. Especially if a person is older - it’s hard for him to stand for a long time. It’s another matter if there is a desire to somehow specially dedicate this prayer to God. Then you can, for example, kneel down. I repeat: everything is individual. God hears everyone. And the main thing is not the posture when praying, but what this prayer is about, and your attitude towards God.
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All answers from priests Joseph (Korolyov), Hieromonk Lazar (Antipenko), Hieromonk Roman (Kropotov), Hieromonk Photius (Mochalov), Hieromonk
Question (Larissa) March 14, 2013 Father Roman! I have one more question. Thank you in advance. Is it possible to read psalms at the workplace, sitting or in transport? If you have time, you don’t want to waste it just like that. I would like to know more about the difference between a canon and an akathist; is it possible to read the canons to saints during Lent? What spiritual difference is there between the early and late liturgy?
A canon is a type of liturgical hymn consisting of 9 songs. An akathist is also a hymn, but predominantly of laudatory content. Unlike the canon, which, having replaced the kontakia, has become an integral part of the divine service, the akathist is not so popular in liturgical practice. The Charter only mentions Great Akathist, read on Saturday of the 5th week of Lent.
The early and late Liturgies have no difference in spiritual terms. They exist only because of the convenience of parishioners - some find it more convenient early, others later.
Question (Olga) March 14, 2013 Hello, Father Roman! Is it possible to read akathists in Lent, if I took a blessing to read the akathist to the Mother of God “Unexpected Joy” and read it every Sunday at 20.30?
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk) Such issues are resolved by the confessor individually. From whom you were blessed, you need to ask. This is ethics. From the outside I can say that with blessing it is possible (at home).
Question (Photinia) March 14, 2013 Good afternoon, Father Roman! Sorry if something is wrong. Would you like to know what is read in the prayer book for strict fasting before Great Easter? And today I’ve been calling all day: Is there an appointment with Father Vlasiy now? Sorry again if anything is wrong.
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk)
It’s not entirely clear what it means – before Easter? If you ask what is read during Great Lent, then everything is the same - prayers from the prayer book (morning, evening, everyday, etc.), canons, psalter, on Saturdays and Sundays you can have akathists. If you meant what to read before communion on Easter, then everything is the same as on an ordinary day. On Bright Week, preparation for communion consists of Easter hours, the Easter canon and prayers for Holy Communion.
The reception is underway.
Be healthy.
Question (Larissa) March 13, 2013 Hello, Father Roman! Is it permissible to read prayer canons during Lent? Can a lay person read the prayer canon to the Holy Trinity? I read the instructions of Seraphim of Sarov, in which he says that a person cannot dare to address the Holy Trinity directly, only through the saints. Did I understand correctly? Please also look at the link http://azbyka.ru/bogosluzhenie/kanonnik/kanon.shtml Can I read the canons given here? Thank you very much.
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk)
Prayer canons can be replaced with repentance canons.
I have not heard the instructions of Seraphim of Sarov. But the fact that prayer to the Most Holy Trinity is placed in the opening prayers suggests that everyone can turn to the Holy Trinity ( Holy Trinity, have mercy on us, Lord, cleanse our sins, Master...). Yes, and Christ commanded us to turn to God, saying, “If you ask anything of the Father in My name, I will do it, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13). Perhaps it was meant that it is better for a sinner (as one without boldness) to beg God through His saints (friends), whom the Lord listens to and whose petitions he fulfills?
Question (Julia) March 13, 2013 Hello and bless you, Father Roman! Something in Lately prayer has cooled down completely, if at first there was some tenderness, impulses, I could pray for a long time, but now during prayer I feel tired, my thoughts run away (even though at the beginning I start to ask - gather my scattered mind, Lord...). Will such a prayer be accepted by God if there is no cordiality, no tenderness, no repentance, but there is simply a desire to pray, or even if I do it through force?
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk) The topic of prayer has been answered many times. It's hard for me to look for them for you. Prayer will not be constant all the time. Sometimes (often, especially at first) the Lord will allow us to cool off in order to test our desire and intention to pray. At such moments you need to force yourself to pray. At least little by little, but pray. This prayer is also accepted. There is no need to be embarrassed: collect your thoughts, force yourself to pay attention and reproach yourself for everything.
Question (elena) March 12, 2013 Hello, Father Roman. I really like listening to conversations, sermons, interpretations of the holy fathers in audio recordings. I want to listen for hours. Is it possible to do anything at this time? homework? What words should you use to address God when you want to do something in the name of God? How to dedicate your affairs to the Lord?
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk)
The advantage of audio recordings is that you can listen to them in parallel with other activities (in the car, in the kitchen, etc.).
You can use different prayers and even your own. There is, for example, this: “Lord, bless me to begin this work, send Your holy help, so that I can complete it for Your glory” or “To the King of Heaven.” By doing things “for the glory of God,” we thereby dedicate them to God. The ideal of this is when a person attributes all his merits not to himself, but to God. Living according to the commandments, our life is dedicated to God, since through the commandments and virtues His name is glorified (sacred).
Question (Ilya) March 10, 2013 Hello Father, please forgive me. Is there a copy of the blessing prayer? We can't find it. Or, to sanctify it, should we use prayer for the sanctification of every thing? Save me, God!
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk) There is no separate copy of the rite of consecration. To consecrate it, you need to use the “Rite of Blessing New Church Vessels” (Trebnik in two parts, p. 500). It also mentions a copy. The indicated rite is performed by a priest, do not forget.
Question (Julia) March 9, 2013 Father, another question, it says “pray for those who offend you.” Well, you also answered someone’s question - “pray for those who hate.” Should this be understood to mean that in the event of any hostility, you need to pray for these people? When we pray for those who offend us, those who hate us, who have evil or resentment towards us, we thereby do this in order to extinguish in ourselves the feeling of resentment or malice or enmity towards these people, or by praying for them, this anger, enmity, resentment is extinguished, and in their souls also towards us? And also, what is the correct way to pray for such people - only in prayers at home (morning and evening rules), in your own words, or in notes in church?
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk)
We must assume that in the event of any hostility, we need to pray for people. First of all, we ourselves need this, so that our conscience is calm and our heart is peaceful, and so that we can calmly begin receiving the Holy Mysteries.
But we also need to ask for forgiveness for the sake of our ill-wishers, since the sincerity of our heart, our intention and self-condemnation influence the one who has enmity against us. In Fatherland there is a story about two brothers. They were at enmity. One went to the other to ask for his forgiveness, but he did not even open the door for him. Then the first one went to the elder and told him about it. The elder answered him: “Look, is there a reason for this in your heart, do you not admit that you are right, do you have the intention in your heart to accuse your brother and justify yourself? For this reason, God did not touch his heart, and he did not opened the door for you. Even if he was guilty before you, put it in your heart that you are guilty before him and justify your brother. Then God will put in his heart the desire to be reconciled with you "(Fatherland. Tales from the lives of the elders, mainly Egyptian, whose names have not reached us. 140).
Therefore, you need to understand that our sincere desire for reconciliation with our neighbor and prayer for him will always respond in his heart with sympathy for us, since God will put the same desire for reconciliation on his heart.
Question (Galina) March 9, 2013 Hello, Father! I have great grief - my son (18 years old) was detained for selling drugs. Now he is under recognizance not to leave the place. For a whole week now I haven’t been able to find a place for myself, my soul has been torn to pieces. He himself also repents of his sin. Tell me, please, to whom should we pray for help? He has many chronic diseases, I wanted him to receive a suspended sentence. Thank you.
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk) You can pray to St. Nicholas. True, he freed innocent people from imprisonment; I don’t know about the culprits. Pray to him or the Mother of God.
Question (Alexander) March 9, 2013 Hello Father. In many books, in the letters of the elders, it is written that mother's prayer It has great power. Please explain why it is mother’s prayer and does father’s prayer have such power? Thank you.
Answer (Roman (Kropotov), hieromonk) There is no doubt that not only maternal, but also paternal prayer has great power. There is even an opinion that the father’s prayer is preferable to the mother’s, since he is the head of the family (patriarch). I think there is no point in arguing and trying to find out whose prayer is stronger. There is no such scale or instrument that can determine the power of prayer. It is better for parents to simply pray for their children and raise them in the fear of the Lord.
Prayer at home is not much different from prayer in church. The only exception is that it is allowed to commemorate all people, without exception, regardless of their religious affiliation. In church it is customary to pray for “our own people” and only mentally, so as not to disturb others. You can pray out loud at home, provided that it does not annoy your relatives. You need to become fully dressed for prayer. It is advisable for women to have a scarf on their heads and wear a dress or skirt.
Why pray at home?A conversation with the Lord can be conducted both in your own words and in ready-made “formulas” developed long before us by many generations of believers. Classic prayers are contained in the “Prayer Book” (“Canon”). You can buy it at any religious literature store. “Prayer books” can be short (containing the minimum necessary prayers), complete (intended for priests) and... ordinary (which contain everything that is needed for a true believer).
If you want to pray for real, pay attention to the fact that your “Prayer Book” contains:
- morning and evening (for bedtime) prayers;
- daytime (before the beginning and end of any task, before and after eating food, etc.);
- canons by day of the week and “Canon of repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ”;
- akathists (“ To the sweetest Lord our Jesus Christ”, “The Most Holy Theotokos”, etc.);
- “Following to Holy Communion...” and prayers read after it.
In addition to the “Prayer Book” for home prayer You can purchase the Psalter. In Orthodox practice, reading one hundred and fifty psalms must be done in a week. It is customary to read the Psalter twice during Lent. At “Slava...” there is a commemoration of the living and the dead. Orthodox Christian can read the Psalter at the tomb of the deceased.
Reading the Psalter is a serious and responsible thing. Before you go, you should get permission from the priest.
Prayer Rule
Each of us is at our own point on the long path to the Lord. Each of us has our own time and physical capabilities for prayer. Accordingly, there is no single prayer rule for everyone. Each person should pray as much as he can. How much exactly? This must be determined by the priest.
Ideally, each of us should definitely read morning and evening prayers. They are necessary to protect the soul during the day (morning) and night (evening) from evil forces and people. Those who start their working day very early or, conversely, finish it too late and do not have either the time or energy to read everything in the morning or evening rule, can limit themselves to basic prayers: for example, in the morning read “Our Father”, “Have mercy on me, O God...” (fiftieth psalm) and “Creed”, in the evening - the prayer of St. John Chrysostom, “May God rise...” and “ Confession of sins is everyday.”
If you have free time and desire, you can read the corresponding canons every day: for example, on Monday you can pray to your Guardian Angel, Archangels and Angels, on Tuesday - John the Baptist, on Wednesday - the Most Holy Theotokos, etc. Reading the Psalter also depends on your capabilities, desires and time.
Prayer before and after meals is mandatory.
How to pray before communion?
The answer to this question is usually contained in the Prayer Book. We will just remind you: all prayers performed before Communion are read at home, on the eve of the sacrament. On the eve of Communion, you must visit evening worship, after which you can begin to pray with a calm soul. Before Communion you must read:
- “Following to Holy Communion...”;
- three canons: penitential, Guardian Angel and the Most Holy Theotokos;
- one of the akathists;
- full evening prayers.
Home prayer is performed in front of the icons, standing, with sign of the cross and bows from the waist. If desired, you can bow to the ground or pray on your knees.
During prayer, it is advisable not to be distracted by extraneous matters - telephone calls, a whistling kettle, flirting with pets.
If you are very tired and have a great desire to pray, you are allowed to pray while sitting. The Psalter, with the exception of the “Glory...” and the prayers closing the kathisma, is also read while sitting.
Despite the fact that prayer requires a certain concentration and attention, it is also useful to pray through strength. Our brain may not perceive what we read, but the soul will definitely hear everything and receive its portion of divine grace.
