Short prayers used in personal devotion
Many Church Fathers taught the use of the “arrow prayer”, deliberately short prayers for personal devotion that were easily remembered, and could communicate one’s love for God, while seeking His help. They were like arrows being shot into the air, wholeheartedly demonstrating our sincerity in asking God’s help. One of my personal favorites is an arrow prayer attributed to Saint Gregory Palamas.
Lord enlighten my darkness, Lord enlighten my darkness, Lord enlighten my darkness…..
This is the perfect prayer when seeking God’s help in keeping His commandments, and doing battle with habitual sins. By this prayer we are asking that grace abound and transformation take place. It is a prayerful plea for God’s mercy, and that He make us holy by coming quickly to our aid.
It is the perfect prayer to utter at the very moment we are receiving the Holy Mysteries of Christ’s Body and Blood, the hot coals that burn within and bring about healing of body and soul, and illumine our heart. It is a prayer in which we confess before God that we are living in a state of darkness, and asking Him to dispel all that darkness which keeps us from attaining holiness, and communing with Him.
“There is no need at all to make long discourses; it is enough to stretch out one’s hands and say, “Lord, as you will, and as you know, have mercy.” And if the conflict grows fiercer say, “Lord, help!” He knows very well what we need and he shews us his mercy (Saint Macarius the Great).”
Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Saturday January 9, 2016 / December 27, 2015
32nd Week after Pentecost. Tone six.
Sviatki. Fast-free
Saturday after the Nativity of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ
Third Day of the Feast of the Nativity.
Venerable Theodore Graptus (“the Branded”) of Palestine and Bithynia, confessor (840), brother of St. Theophanes the Confessor and Hymnographer (850).
New Hieromartyrs Tikhon, archbishop of Voronezh and with him 160 martyred priests (1919).
Virgin-Martyr Antonina (1937).
St. Theodore, archbishop of Constantinople (686).
Uncovering of Relics (1514) of Venerable Pherapont of Mozhaisk, Luzhetsk.
Venerable Luke, monk, of Tryglia.
St. Maximus, bishop of Alexandria (282).
St. Maurice and the Theban Legion. (Candidus, Innocent, Exuperius and 6,600 others) (302).
Scripture Readings
1 Thessalonians 5:14-23
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Blessing and Admonition
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 16:10-15
10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?
13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
The Law, the Prophets, and the Kingdom
14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. 15 And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
Thank you for your daily postings. They help me to live an Orthodox life.
Father Bless,
Thank you Abbot! I’ve found this prayer,”Lord enlighten my Darkness.” only a few weeks ago, but i didn’t know, however, about “arrow prayers.” In the last few days i’ve seen this one prayer begin to move the mountain of my habitual sin that was so deeply engrained in my heart. Thank you for reinforcing the power of this prayer as I can testify that it works.
Dear Father, I am not familiar with these types of prayers as being called “arrow prayers” but I am delighted to now know this. I will use this new prayer daily as I too struggle with an unkind heart at times and I am working to overcome this sin within me. Thank You Father.
Short and sweet and to the point. Thank you.
My wife Ruth and I saw you briefly on our recent visit to the monastery (where we were made most welcome by Father Paul) and I am now reading your Morning Offering daily. My good friend Dr Harrison (Greek Cypriot by birth) knows you and recommended that we visit. My thanks to you and Father Paul for the kind welcome and your faith-filled work in writing this blog. May God’s Peace fill afresh your heart and home.