My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

"PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD..." (Ephesians 6:10-17)

All Orthodox Christians understand that one must struggle spiritually, unceasingly, and with determination in order to acquire a healthy spiritual life. Saint Paul explains what we need to do when he writes, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

"All who stand for good must wage a constant battle with the forces of evil. For the demons still have power in the world (v.12) until Christ comes again in glory. This is clearly acknowledged in the prayers at the conclusion of Orthodox baptism. Christians fight back with God's arms, that is, His uncreated divine energy, given to us (1:19-23; 3:16-21) and actively used by us. The Christian has "put on" (4:24) at baptism all of the qualities listed as armor in vv. 14-17. These qualities must be exercised in the conflict of growth: no struggle, no deification (theosis). (Source: Orthodox Study Bible pg. 451)

The Orthodox Christian seeks the guidance and inspiration of God the Holy Spirit in order to learn how to pray correctly and properly. There are many wonderful Orthodox Prayer Books that one can purchase at the St. Andrew Bookstore or even online. In the meantime here are a few prayers that should help you to begin a prayer discipline:

The Third Prayer of Orthros (Matins)

From the early morning watch, our spirit rises to You, For Your commandments are for us as the light of life. Teach us, O God, Your righteousness, Your commandments, and Your judgments. Enlighten the eyes of our mind, that we may never slumber in sinfulness unto death. Cast out every darkness from our heart, And grant to us the Sun of Righteousness. Keep our life safe from evil influence And preserve in it the Seal of the Holy Spirit. Guide our steps on the road of peace. Give us this dawn and this day To raise up our morning prayers in gladness to You. For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the Kingdom, and the power and the glory, Of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A Prayer of Saint Basil the Great

Blessed are You, O Lord Almighty, You have illumined the day with the light of the sun And the night you have brightened with the rays of the fiery moon; You have made us worthy to go through this day And to approach the beginning of the night. Hear our petitions and those of all Your people, And forgive us all our voluntary and involuntary sins. Receive our evening prayers, And send down upon the people of Your inheritance The multitude of Your mercy and compassionate love. Encompass us with Your holy Angels. Arm us with the weapons of your righteousness. Outline us with the mark of Your Truth. Guard us by Your power. Deliver us from every circumstance and influence of the adversary (Satan). Grant us once again, O Lord, that this present evening together with the approaching night, and all the days of our life, Will be perfect, holy, peaceful, sinless and without any scandalous imaginations, We pray for this through the intercessions of the Holy Theotokos and all the Saints who have pleased You through the ages. Amen.

O Christ our God, At all times and at every hour, in heaven and on earth, You are worshipped and glorified; You are long-suffering, Most Merciful, Most compassionate, You love the righteous and have mercy upon the sinners; You call everyone to salvation through the promise of future blessings; Receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour And direct our life toward Your Commandments. Sanctify our souls; make our bodies chaste; Correct our thoughts; purify our intentions; And deliver us from every grief and pain that comes from evil. Encompass us by Your holy Angels, So that guarded and guided by them We may attain to the unity of the faith

And to the knowledge of Your inapproachable glory, For You are blessed unto the ages of ages. Amen.

"O LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD AND SAVIOR, HAVE MERCY ON ME A SINNER!"

The Grace of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

With sincere agape in Christ,

+Father George