DAY 11...I Believe, Part 2 - Nothing But Prayer...
"Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness." - St. John the GoldenMouthed (Chrysostom)
As you read 9:14-29 reflect on what it takes to drive out the unclean spirit. After many attempts by his disciples who have been able to cure illnesses and drive out demons, they've met their match. They can't figure out why they do not have power over this particular demon.
They ask Christ, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." **Spoiler** - We'll touch on fasting tomorrow in our final "I Believe, Part 3."
Prayer is important. In a world where it's popular to say, "I'm spiritual, but not religious," we must ask ourselves in what ways are we actually spiritual? Are we actually taking time to pray? and if so, how do we pray?
The Church has given us 2000 years of prayers. Fr. Thomas Hopko a modern day Orthodox scholar and theologian says it's important to say the Lord's prayer several times a day. Why? It is the prayer that Christ himself gave us and covers a lot of ground. The prayers of those who have come before us are our prayers. We don't pray alone, but with a cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1). It has become increasingly obvious how important knowing how to pray is.
As you read 9:14-29 reflect on what it takes to drive out the unclean spirit. After many attempts by his disciples who have been able to cure illnesses and drive out demons, they've met their match. They can't figure out why they do not have power over this particular demon.
They ask Christ, “Why could we not cast it out?” So He said to them, "This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting." **Spoiler** - We'll touch on fasting tomorrow in our final "I Believe, Part 3."
Prayer is important. In a world where it's popular to say, "I'm spiritual, but not religious," we must ask ourselves in what ways are we actually spiritual? Are we actually taking time to pray? and if so, how do we pray?
The Church has given us 2000 years of prayers. Fr. Thomas Hopko a modern day Orthodox scholar and theologian says it's important to say the Lord's prayer several times a day. Why? It is the prayer that Christ himself gave us and covers a lot of ground. The prayers of those who have come before us are our prayers. We don't pray alone, but with a cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1). It has become increasingly obvious how important knowing how to pray is.
Start by sitting in silence for just a few minutes. Maybe just 1 minute even.
Slow your breathing. Say the "Jesus Prayer." That is, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
As you breathe in - Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
As you breathe out - Have mercy on me, a sinner.
Controlling your breathing and adding prayer will help invite Christ into your heart, and life.
We sometimes believe that prayer is easy. It's not. Prayer is communicating with God. Just as talking to someone for the first time might be difficult, so might our first few prayers with God. Perhaps you can think back to the first time you spoke to who your best friend is now. Did you divulge your deepest darkest secrets from the very beginning? or did it take time? It probably took some time, effort, trust, and a growth in relationship. Similarly we must grow in relationship with God. Further more, St. John Chrysostom says, "This prayer can stir the snake (within us) to action, and this prayer can lay it low. This prayer can expose the sin that is living in us, and this prayer can eradicate it."
We must expose and flesh out our sins in order to eradicate them. It's not easy. It's spiritual surgery. It might hurt. It might take some time for recovery. But it is prayer and communication with God that allows for us to begin to heal completely.
Slow your breathing. Say the "Jesus Prayer." That is, "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
As you breathe in - Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,
As you breathe out - Have mercy on me, a sinner.
Controlling your breathing and adding prayer will help invite Christ into your heart, and life.
We sometimes believe that prayer is easy. It's not. Prayer is communicating with God. Just as talking to someone for the first time might be difficult, so might our first few prayers with God. Perhaps you can think back to the first time you spoke to who your best friend is now. Did you divulge your deepest darkest secrets from the very beginning? or did it take time? It probably took some time, effort, trust, and a growth in relationship. Similarly we must grow in relationship with God. Further more, St. John Chrysostom says, "This prayer can stir the snake (within us) to action, and this prayer can lay it low. This prayer can expose the sin that is living in us, and this prayer can eradicate it."
We must expose and flesh out our sins in order to eradicate them. It's not easy. It's spiritual surgery. It might hurt. It might take some time for recovery. But it is prayer and communication with God that allows for us to begin to heal completely.
Today's Instructions:
A. Pray for the day, for friends, for family, for enemies. Thanksgiving, Requests, Praise.
B. In the Fortify Program, Update the battle tracker. Go to Week 2. Check out, "Get the Facts" and "Good News About the Brain."
C. Go to the daily readings and read today's Scripture.
D. Journal the following: 1. Where are you in your prayer life? Do you talk to God regularly? 2. What goals can you set to pray more often?
Today's Tips: When the urges come get up. Stop. Breathe. Leave where you're at go, stand alone and say the Jesus prayer, for 5 minutes.
God give you strength. See you tomorrow.
Don't ever come back to this page to start over. This is the launching pad. You've already begun, even if you fall.
If you want to review this page, please do, but do not come back here to start over.