28 Questions
What is the role of prayers in the Orthodox spiritual life?
An integral part of the spiritual life
What is the meaning of the phrase 'Prayers are the door to heaven'?
Prayers are a way to communicate with God and build a connection with Him
According to Pope Kyrillos the sixth, what does prayer do?
It moves the hand of God
What is the main message of the parable in Luke 18:1-8?
We should always pray and not lose heart
What is the purpose of Liturgical Prayers in Orthodoxy?
To teach us how to pray
What is the characteristic of the prayers that we learned from Lord Jesus?
They are plural and memorized
What is the characteristic of Family Prayers?
They are a mix between memorized and personalized prayers
What is the common problem with Family Prayers?
They are often forgotten or ignored
What is one of the benefits of praying as a family?
To bring joy and abundance of blessings to the home
What is the Jesus Prayer also known as?
The Arrow Prayer
Why is it important to integrate personal prayers with liturgical prayers?
To bring the liturgical prayers into our individualized prayers
What is the ultimate goal of praying?
To pray with others and also pray personally
What can you do when you are listening to a sermon?
Pray to God to help you attain a certain virtue
Why is practicing prayer important?
Because practice makes perfect
What is the purpose of personal prayers?
To express our feelings to God
What happens when we pray during the day?
Our day is blessed
What is essential for a blessed home life?
Houses of prayers, purity, and blessings
Why do we get discouraged in our spiritual life?
Because we do not pray enough
What is the characteristic of those who pray as mentioned in Isaiah 62:7?
They are watchmen who never rest day or night
What is the importance of remembering others in our prayers?
So they can remember us
What does the parable of the persistent widow teach us?
That persistence in prayer is important
What does St. Paul encourage us to do in Romans 12:12?
To rejoice in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer
What is the result of prayer according to Romans 10:13?
We will be saved
Why did Jesus pray?
Because He was a perfect human who needed to pray
What is the challenge in prayer?
Looking for a certain fulfillment according to our own understanding and limitations
What did Abraham and David do in their prayers?
They communicated with God as a close friend
What is the correct way to pray?
To ask for God's will to be done, regardless of what our will is
What does Philippians 4:6 teach us about prayer?
To be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving
Study Notes
The Importance of Prayer in Orthodox Spirituality
- Prayer is an essential part of Orthodox spiritual life, and an Orthodox believer's life is incomplete without prayer.
- The fathers say that "prayers are the door to heaven" and that they help build a connection with God, leading to companionship.
The Power of Prayer
- Pope Kyrillos the sixth said that "prayers move the hand of He who moves the universe."
- The parable of the persistent widow (Luke 18:1-8) teaches that God will avenge His own elect who cry out to Him day and night.
Levels of Prayer in Orthodoxy
- There are different levels of prayers in Orthodoxy: Liturgical Prayers, Family Prayers, and Individual or Personal Prayers.
- Liturgical Prayers are prayers prayed as a community of believers inside the church, and they help teach us the faith and how to pray.
- Family Prayers are a mix of memorized and personalized prayers, and they help keep the peace of the home, bring joy, and bring blessings.
- Individual or Personal Prayers are prayers expressed in our own words, and they can be silent prayers.
The Jesus Prayer
- The Jesus Prayer, also known as the Arrow Prayer, is "Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
- It is a powerful introduction to personal prayers, and it can be used to ask God for the ability to pray when we are at a loss for words.
Integrating Personal Prayers with Liturgical Prayers
- The ultimate goal is to integrate personal prayers with liturgical prayers and bring liturgical prayers into our individualized prayers.
- We can incorporate parts of liturgical prayers into our personal prayers, and focus on supporting our liturgical prayers with our personal prayers.
The Importance of Persistence in Prayer
- Praying is a skill that requires practice, and the more we pray, the better we get at it by God's grace.
- We should not get discouraged if we do not pray enough, but instead, we should strive to maintain the blessing in our daily life through prayer.
- The parable of the persistent widow teaches us that persistence in prayer is important, and that God sees our determination and persistence in prayer.
Remembering Others in Our Prayers
- It is important to remember others in our prayers as they remember us.
- We should pray for others, and ask God to help us attain virtues.
The Correct Way to Pray
- The correct way to pray is to ask for God's will to be done, regardless of what our will is.
- We should pray with hope, patience, and perseverance, and remember that prayer brings fulfillment within itself.
- Effective prayers bring joy to the believer's life when they are rested in the assurance that the Lord is in control of everything.
Explore the significance of prayer in Orthodox spiritual life, building a connection with God and understanding its impact on our lives.
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