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by Archbishop Paul of Finland
Prayer gives expression to our striving towards communion with God. This
communion is the natural manifestation of our love for God and of God's love
for us. Through the channel of prayer we "pour out our hearts before God,"
which is a Biblical expression meaning that in prayer we express to God our
thoughts and feelings of praise, gratitude and worship.
However, prayer is not only a form of worship; it is also a means available
to us for overcoming the evil that lodges in our inmost self. In this sense
prayer is like a special line that carries man's cry for help to God.
Lord, have mercy! This is the cry for help that is repeated again and again
in the service. It is also the individual's cry for help as he keeps watch
at the door of his heart and cries out to the Lord to drive away the
passions that creep in. This corporate and private cry for help arises from
our sense of powerlessness; "Apart from me you can do nothing," the Lord
says (Jn 15:5). But it is equally strongly based on our trust that the Lord
wants to purify our hearts, if only we ask. We are branches of Christ the
Vine, and each branch that strives to bear fruit the Lord "prunes, that it
may bear more fruit" (Jn 15:2).
Thus God's help and our own prayers will save us from "the corruption that
is in the world because of passion."
Source: The Faith We Hold, pg. 70, SVS Press 1980
See Also:
God's love is always
available
Fear arises from the absence of God's love in a person's life. Of course,
God's love is always available to anyone who wishes to receive it. But many
times, we ignore the hand that God lovingly holds out to comfort, encourage
and guide us into his family circle.
The Heart of a Humble Parent
When you make a decision
that negatively affects your life or
the lives of others, be the first to
admit it. Admit your mistake and
resolve to handle any resulting
consequences of your actions.
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