Just How Should We Pray?
Over the years, as strange as it may seem, we’ve had a number of people ask us if we’d pray they win the lottery, promising that if they did they’d donate a large portion to the brotherhood. The logic seemed to suggest that if the monks were going to get some of the take, the Lord would be more than happy to tweak the State Lottery numbers so they’d win big. Upon hearing this, I’ve often thought the poor person would more than likely lose their soul, should they win, with temptation likely to make them forget their promise to God. When large sums of money are in one’s hands, it takes a person with a very strong will to be philanthropic with their fortune. Most of us are better off without a lot of money, as news items in recent years have given us ample examples of people whose greed has been their ruin.
I once prayed I’d get a certain job, thinking all my problems would be solved if only I had that job. If I had that job, I told myself, I could get a better apartment, a new car, pay off my bills, and be set. When the job didn’t materialize, I ended up going off to graduate school, a decision that was ultimately the very best thing I could have done for myself. That job could well have derailed God’s plans for me, which is often the case when we push for our own will while praying, rather than humbly seeking out God’s will.
The Scriptures instruct us as to how we should pray. In Acts 17:27-28, we read: “27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring’.”
Prayer is not about asking for things, but about relationships. Prayer is the vehicle that takes us into the heart of God, where we find ‘a peace that passes all understanding’ (Philippians 4:7). Prayer is our opportunity to come before God with reverence and humility, seeking the transformation of the heart that is our true inheritance. Prayer is that opportunity for us to show our love for God because of His great love for us. Prayer is not about asking for things, but rather seeking to deepen our relationship with the God Who has invited us into communion with Him.
An infant in the care of loving parents need not worry about food, clothing, security, safety, for his parents know what he needs, and freely give it in abundance. The Lord is like that with us. We may think we know what we need, but like the small child who thinks he doesn’t need to go to school, and who’s parents make sure he does, God gives us that which is needed for our salvation.
If we trust the love that God has for us, we trust that we need not ask for anything, but only offer worship and love, and give ourselves over to our Heavenly Father. Like any child loved by his parents, we are assured of the love of the Father. Nothing else matters.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Saturday June 8, 2024 / May 26, 2024
Fifth Week of Pascha. Tone four.
Apostles Carpus of the Seventy and Alphaeus (1st c.).
Translation of the relics (1534) of New Martyr George of Kratovo and Sofia (1515).
Uncovering of the relics (1521) of Venerable Macarius, abbot of Kolyazin (1483).
Martyrs Abercius and Helen, children of Apostle Alphaeus (1st c.).
Venerable John of Psichaita the Confessor of Constantinople (9th c.).
New Martyr Alexander of Thessalonica, who suffered at Smyrna (1794) (Greek).
Icon of the Mother of God of Vladimir of Seligersk.
St. Augustine of Canterbury, evangelizer of England (ca. 605) (Celtic & British).
New Hieromartyrs Milan Banjac and Milan Golubovic of Drvar, Serbia (1941-1945).
The Scripture Readings
Acts 15:35-41
35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
Division over John Mark
36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
John 10:27-38
27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
Renewed Efforts to Stone Jesus
31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. 32 Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?”
33 The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’? 35 If He called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken),36 do you say of Him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? 37 If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; 38 but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him.”