Day Two – Let’s Talk about Prayer
Yesterday’s Daily Lenten Journey mentioned how we should fast during Great Lent. Today I want to talk about prayer. Great Lent is a season during which the Church invites us to INCREASE our prayer life, both private and corporate. It might seem counter-intuitive since our Lord, just this past weekend told us to go into our inner room to pray, but we NEED both private and corporate prayer during Great Lent.
Great Lent is a shared experience as much as it is a private experience. For example, yesterday’s advice allowed for a personal growth in our fasting. Each of us will be at a different level, while all of us will be asked to grow in our fasting. The same is true for our prayer life during Great Lent.
When it comes to Great Lent, the staple prayer is the Lenten Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian, which is printed below for your use. This prayer should be incorporated into your morning and evening prayers, and can be found in most of the Lenten services in the Church. If you attended last night’s Forgiveness Vespers, held is most parishes, you will recall many faithful doing prostrations at the very end while praying this prayer. The prayer speaks to the reality of our Lenten struggle to grow in humility while we leave judgement behind, all the while asking God for strength.
I encourage you to speak with your spiritual father this week and discuss how you should prayer this year during Great Lent. No doubt he will suggest “doing a little bit more” than last year so your prayer life can grow. I like to say, “We can’t remain stagnant. If we aren’t growing, we’re dying.”
Finally, a note about the need, and quite frankly benefit, of corporate prayer. It is helpful to know others are going through the same struggle you are during Great Lent. When you come to Church for the extra services, you will be lifted up and strengthened as you witness the faith and dedication of your fellow parishioners. A fringe benefit from attending Church services during Great Lent, is that most parishes also host Lenten meals, so you can always get new menu ideas from your brothers and sisters. Together we are must stronger than when we are alone, and God knew that when we He established the Church for our benefit.
Have a blessed Great Lent!
Prayer of Saint Ephraim the Syrian
Lord and Master of my life, take away from me the spirit of laziness, idle curiosity, lust for power and vain talk
(full prostration)
But give me the spirit of moderation, humility, patience and love
(full prostration)
Yes, Lord and King grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brothers and sisters
(full prostration)
For you are blessed unto the ages of ages, Amen
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