Orthros Prayer Nine

Reading the Holy Scriptures is a part of every Orthodox Christian’s day. Either in the morning or sometime during the day, we are encouraged by the Church daily to read the Bible. Today’s Daily Lenten Journey on Prayer looks at the prayer that reinforces our need for the Bible.

Shine within our hearts, O Master Who loves mankind, the pure light of Your divine knowledge, and open the eyes of our minds, to the understanding of Your Gospel teachings. Instill in us also the fear of Your blessed commandments, so that having trampled down all carnal desires, we may enter into a spiritual way of living, both thinking and doing such things that are well-pleasing to You. For You are our Sanctification and our Illumination, and to You we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

If you watch any of our Bible Studies, this prayer is familiar to you. It is also the prayer in Divine Liturgy offered by the priest before proclaiming the Gospel. This prayer reinforces that reading the Holy Scriptures is for our salvation, not just merely education.

Asking God to open our minds is for understanding His Gospel teachings. With just a ‘bit’ of understanding we are filled with fear because we know we haven’t lived up to our end of the bargain. Don’t panic because our fear is a holy fear when it leads to spiritual life.

Here’s the deal with the Holy Scriptures. The Church insists on including stories of those who fell short of the glory of God. (See Romans 3.23) The Bible doesn’t only remind us of our failures in faith. It openly tells the stories of Saints’ failings of faith.

There are two reasons these stories are included in the Scriptures. First, it inspires us to know we are not alone in our struggle. Learning that Moses and Abraham weren’t perfect, and the disciples argued about who was greater, maybe we can show grace in our shortcomings.

The second benefit of these stories is that it gives us hope. If Saint Peter can deny three times even knowing Christ and end up leading the Church, there is hope for us. We witness God’s mercy on Peter, giving him three chances to show his repentance to combat his three denials.

We will never be able to endure the struggle of the Christian life without hope and grace. Reading the Scriptures daily, by God’s mercy, provides us with both. For that we are thankful and pray every morning for Him to let His Light shine in our hearts.

As you read your Bible today, don’t forget hope and grace. Happy praying.