Prayer

Prayer for the Week (Anima Christi of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton)

~ Mike Skinner ~ Leave a comment

apr14Soul of Jesus, sanctify me.
Blood of Jesus, wash me,
Passion of Jesus, comfort me.
Wounds of Jesus, hide me.
Heart of Jesus, receive me.
Spirit of Jesus, enliven me.
Goodness of Jesus, pardon me.
Beauty of Jesus, draw me.
Humility of Jesus, humble me.
Peace of Jesus, pacify me.
Love of Jesus, inflame me.
Kingdom of Jesus, come to me.
Grace of Jesus, replenish me.
Mercy of Jesus, pity me.
Sanctity of Jesus, sanctify me.
Purity of Jesus, purify me.
Cross of Jesus, support me.
Nails of Jesus, hold me.
Mouth of Jesus, bless me in life, in death, in time and eternity.
Mouth of Jesus, defend me in the hour of death.
Mouth of Jesus, call me to come to Thee.
Mouth of Jesus, receive me with Thy saints in glory evermore.

Unite me to Thyself, O adorable Victim.
Life-giving heavenly Bread, feed me, sanctify me, reign in me,
transform me to Thyself, live in me; let me live in Thee;
let me adore Thee in Thy life-giving Sacrament as my God, listen to Thee as to my Master, obey Thee as my King, imitate Thee as my Model, follow Thee as my Shepherd, love Thee as my Father, seek Thee as my Physician
who wilt heal all the maladies of my soul.
Be indeed my Way, Truth and Life; sustain me, O heavenly Manna, through the desert of this world, till I shall behold Thee unveiled in Thy glory.

Amen.

Should Christians Pray for the Dead? (Cyril of Jerusalem and John Chrysostom)

~ Mike Skinner ~ 5 Comments

I was invited to say a few words at a funeral recently. I was not very close to the family – which made it both an honor to be invited and also meant that I wast not involved in any of the planning of the ceremony. During the course of the service, many prayers were offered and many of them were directed towards the recently deceased. The helpless theologian I am, I couldn’t help but begin the mental conversation over this classic question:

Should Christians pray for the dead?

It’s vital to realize that this is a very personal and pastoral question, as well as a theological issue. While I was thinking this question over, I ran across the following thoughts about prayers for the dead from two classic Church Fathers:

Cyril of Jerusalem: “We pray for the holy fathers and bishops who have fallen asleep, and in general for all those who have fallen asleep before us, in the belief that it is a great benefit to the souls for whom the prayers are offered… In the same way, b offering to God our prayers for those who have fallen asleep and who have sinned, we offer Christ sacrificed for the sins of all, and by doing so, obtain the loving God’s favor for them and for ourselves.” [4th Century text on Eucharistic Liturgy]

John Chrysostom: “Let us help and commemorate them (the dead). After all, if the children of Job were purified by the sacrifice of their father (Job 1:5), why should we doubt that our offering for the dead bring them any comfort? … Let us not hesitate to help those who have died, and to offer our prayers on their behalf.” [Homily at the very end of the 4th Century]

What do you think about Cyril and John’s beliefs about the effects of prayers for the dead and the reasoning they offer for the practice?

What do you think: Should Christians pray for the dead?
Why or why not?

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Prayer for the Week (John Chrysostom)

~ Mike Skinner ~ 1 Comment

Almighty God, who has given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications to you and promised that when two or three are gathered together in your name you will grant their requests: fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of your servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Prayer for the Week (Saint Basil the Great)

~ Mike Skinner ~ 2 Comments

Prayer of Saint Basil the Great

O Lord our God, we beseech you, to ask for the gift we need.
Steer the ship of our life to yourself, the quiet harbor of all storm-stressed souls.
Show us the course which we are to take.
Renew in us the spirit of docility.
Let your Spirit curb our fickleness;
guide and strengthen us to perform what is for our own good,
to keep your commandments
and ever to rejoice in your glorious and vivifying presence.
Yours is the glory and praise for all eternity.
Amen.

Prayer for the Week (Saint Philaret of Moscow)

~ Mike Skinner ~ 1 Comment

Prayer For The New Day by Saint Philaret of Moscow

Lord, grant me the strength to greet the coming day in peace.
Help me in everything to rely on your holy will.
Show your will to me every hour of the day.
Bless my dealings with all people.
Teach me to treat those who come to me throughout the day with peace of soul,
and with the firm conviction that it is your will that governs all things.
Guide my thoughts and feelings in everything I do and everything I say.
In unexpected events let me not forget that all have been sent by you.
Teach me to act wisely and firmly, without embittering or embarrassing others.
Give me the physical strength to bear the labors of this day.
Direct my will. Teach me to pray: rather, yourself pray with me.