Tag: Prayer

To Live Without Distraction

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 22 Leave a Comment on %s
Abba Arsenius avoided discussion of the Scripture, even though he was an excellent expositor. He was also reluctant to write letters to anyone. When he attended public worship, he sat behind a pillar to prevent himself or others from being distracted. Writing as I do is a great distraction (sometimes for me, sometimes for others). To speak is also to offer a target (for criticism, for disagreement or worse). For a variety…

Soul Saturday – And Forty Days

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 26 Leave a Comment on %s
In my early exposure to Orthodoxy, I became intrigued with the term, “Soul Saturday.” My family would visit an Orthodox monastery not too far away from here for their annual pilgrimage that occured on one of the weekends of a “Soul Saturday.” This is term from popular parlance – the more proper English title of the event is a “Memorial Saturday.” These occur at a number of times during the year, mostly during Lent.…

Finding God in Abundance

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 46 Leave a Comment on %s
Another simple thing that is quite difficult: From Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain I have realized that the destruction of man lies in the abundance of material goods, because it prevents him from experiencing the presence of God and appreciating His benevolence. If you want to take someone away from God, give him plenty of material goods. He will instantly forget Him forever. I realized this when I was younger. When…

At the Door of Thy Compassion

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 16 Leave a Comment on %s
This prayer is printed and framed and hangs among the icons in my church office: A Prayer of St. Isaac of Syria At the door of Thy compassion do I knock, Lord; send aid to my scattered impulses which are intoxicated with the multitude of the passions and the power of darkness. Thou canst see my sores hidden within me: stir up contrition – though not corresponding to the weight of my…

What Do You Say When You Turn Out the Light?

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 32 Leave a Comment on %s
From my childhood, I have had a habit of prayer at bedtime – whether formal or informal. There were nights as a child that I prayed with great fervency in fear of what was taking place around me. There were times as a teenager that I prayed with no confidence that anyone was listening. As an adult and parent, some of my most fervent prayers at such times of day have been…

The Elder Sophrony on the Struggle of Prayer

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 8 Leave a Comment on %s
Prayer is infinite creation, the supreme art. Over and over again we experience an eager upsurge towards God, followed only by a falling away from His light. Time and again we are conscious of the mind’s inability to rise to Him. There are moments when we feel ourselves on the verge of insanity. ‘Thou didst give me Thy precept to love but there is no strength in me for love. Come and…

Pray Always

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 24 Leave a Comment on %s
“Prayer is a matter of love. Man expresses love through prayer, and if we pray, it is an indication that we love God. If we do not pray, this indicates that we do not love God, for the measure of our prayer is the measure of our love for God. St. Silouan identifies love for God with prayer, and the Holy Fathers say that forgetfulness of God is the greatest of all…

With God’s Help

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 16 Leave a Comment on %s
A brother became tired of his community and the behavior of others often annoyed him. He decided, “I will go off somewhere by myself. Then I will neither talk nor listen and shall be at peace. This anger I feel will depart.” He went out into the desert and made his home in a cave. One day he placed a water jug he had filled on the ground. It rolled over, spilling…

The Elder Sophrony’s Prayer

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 8 Leave a Comment on %s
A dear friend shared this with me: Fr Sophrony’s Prayer O Eternal Lord and Creator of all things, in your inscrutable goodness you have called me into this life and have given me the grace of baptism and the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit.  You have instilled in me the desire to seek your face.  Hear my prayer! I have no life, no light, no joy, no strength, no…

Prayer and Porridge

· Fr. Stephen Freeman 16 Leave a Comment on %s
Some brothers visited Abba Anthony and asked him to tell them how they could find salvation. The old man said, “You are familiar with the Scriptures. That should teach you enough.” “Yes, but we want a word from you also, Abba.” Then the old man responded, “The Gospel instructs you to turn the other cheek.” They said, “We can’t do that.” “Then if you can’t offer the other cheek, at least permit…