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The Ancient Faith

By on in Theology

“The Orthodox Faith, Worship, and Life: an Outline,” authored by Hieromonk Gregorios and translated by Chara Dimakopoulou, is an enlightening reading of the catechism of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. The book was published in 2020 by Newrome Press (320 pages ISBN 9781939028693). This book serves as both an introduction and a close look into the foundational beliefs, liturgical practices, and daily life that define the Orthodox faith. Drawing from his monastic experience and theological understanding, Hieromonk Gregorios presents a work accessible to both newcomers and practitioners alike.

From the Cell of St John the Theologian, Koutloumousiou Monastery, Mount Athos, this book was translated from their 2012 Greek edition, which was written to help those who are seeking a closer understanding of the faith, worship, and life of the Orthodox Church. The first part on faith includes sections on the Triune God, creation, the divine economy, the Mother of God, the Church and the Kingdom of God; the second part on worship describes the feasts, the church building, the Divine Liturgy and the Holy Mysteries of the Church; and the third part concludes with the Life in Christ: the era of the Old Testament, the era of Grace, prayer, asceticism and monasticism, the virtues, and the deification of man.

Outline

Three overall sections of the book inform the reader, catechumen and orthodox faithful. After a short introduction of several pages that define the catechism itself, its development, and its purpose, the book is structured into three primary sections, each covering areas of understanding Orthodox Christianity. These sections are:

  1. The Orthodox Faith: This section delves into the foundational beliefs and doctrines of the Orthodox Church. It covers topics such as the Nicene Creed, the nature of God, Christology, the Holy Spirit, and the Divine economy, the Holy Theotokos, The Holy Church, and the Kingdom of God. Hieromonk Gregorios provides a thorough exposition of these theological principles, explaining their historical development and significance in the life of the Church.

  2. Orthodox Worship: In this section, the rich liturgical traditions of the Orthodox Church are covered. Hieromonk Gregorios provides an in-depth look at the Divine Liturgy, the sacraments (holy mysteries), and the liturgical calendar, including feasts and fasts. The section emphasizes the importance of worship as a communal and transformative encounter with the divine, highlighting the theological and spiritual meanings behind various liturgical practices. Also presented is a thorough coverage of the Church’s importance of Iconography and Holy Relics. Further details are given for practical understanding and use to include liturgical vestments, books, and vessels.

  3. Orthodox Life: The final section focuses on the practical application of Orthodox faith and worship in daily life. That is, the life of Christ in the believer and what the specifics are about the faith and practice of Orthodoxity and what it means to each individual person. It covers aspects of personal spirituality, including prayer, fasting, almsgiving, asceticism, monastic life, the triad of virtues and their development, and finally, Theosis (the deification of man). Hieromonk Gregorios discusses how Orthodox Christians can live out their faith in contemporary society, to fulfill their spiritual obligations.

While the book informs the reader of Orthodoxy’s continuity and historical depth, it also traces its roots back to the early Church and the ecumenical councils. It is a book for Orthodox Christians who live by faith and practice according to foundational knowledge that sets the stage for Orthodox understanding and devotion.

You are outside Paradise, O catechumen; you share in the exile of our ancestor Adam. But now that the door is gradually opening to you, enter the Paradise which you left…

Cast off the old man like a dirty garment, full of shame from multitudinous sins…. Accept the garment of corruption which Christ has unfolded and offers to you. Do not refuse the gift, so as not to insult the Giver.

St. Gregory of Nyssa, To those who delay Baptism, PG 46.417CD-420C

Synthesis

“The Orthodox Faith, Worship, and Life” offers a comprehensive look at Eastern Orthodox Christianity, meticulously detailing its foundational beliefs, liturgical practices, and life in the Church. This book serves as an accessible and clear guide for both newcomers and faithful practitioners, drawing from the ancient traditions of the Orthodox Church. As Gregorios begins by laying the theological groundwork, he explains the historical context of the Orthodox faith and the authoritative significance of the Church, presenting them not merely as an ancient ethos of spiritual life but as a living declaration of faith that continues to unify and guide Orthodox parishes.

The Nicene Creed, as Gregorios explains, articulates the essential truths about the nature of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, and its recitation is a foundational grounding of Orthodox worship. He breaks down the Creed’s clear theological assertions into comprehensible elements, emphasizing how each statement encapsulates the divine mysteries that are central to Orthodox belief. This foundational understanding sets the backdrop for the book’s inquiry into the intricate relationship between theology and worship in Orthodox life.

Transitioning from doctrine to practice, Gregorios reaches into the vibrant liturgical life of the Orthodox Church. He offers a detailed overview of the Divine Liturgy, the central act of communal worship, highlighting its structure, symbolism, and theological support. Each component of the liturgy, from the hymns and prayers to the Eucharistic celebration, is considered for its role in uniting the faithful with God and each other. Gregorios emphasizes how these practices are not merely traditional but are seen as living encounters with the divine, meant to sanctify and elevate the participants’ lives.

In addition to the Divine Liturgy, Gregorios discusses the sacraments, or holy mysteries, of the Orthodox Church. He explains how these sacraments convey God’s grace and are integral to the spiritual life of believers. Baptism, Chrismation, Confession, Holy Communion, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Unction are each examined for their theological significance and practical application. Gregorios emphasizes that these sacraments are viewed as essential means of receiving divine grace and participating in the life of the Church.

Beyond worship, Gregorios also covers the daily expressions of the Orthodox faith. He writes about the importance of personal prayer, fasting, and the development of virtues, which are essential practices reinforcing the necessary elements of the faith. Monasticism is also discussed as a vital component of Orthodox spirituality, offering a model of intense dedication to prayer and asceticism. Gregorios presents these practices as ways to cultivate a deeper, more personal relationship with God while also contributing to the spiritual imperatives of the Church.

The book also delves into the Orthodox Church’s liturgical calendar, explaining the significance of the various feasts and fasts that structure the Orthodox year. Gregorios provides insight into how these observances commemorate key events in Christ’s and the saints’ lives, cultivating a sense of rhythm and continuity in believers’ spiritual lives.

A significant portion of the book is dedicated to explaining the role of icons in Orthodox worship and spirituality. Gregorios explains the theology behind the veneration of icons, explaining how they are viewed as windows to the divine, offering a tangible connection to the holy. He discusses the use of iconography and its doctrinal defense against Protestant objections concerning their veneration. Further consideration is given to created and uncreated grace as understood between Orthodoxy and the Roman Catholic Church. Further in the book, an additional explanation concerning Orthordoxy’s understanding of God’s essence and energy distinction provides clarity about why it is necessary to develop a right understanding of uncreated grace and how that has a bearing on personal Theosis—more specifically, the deification of man who participates in Divine energies as a means of eternal fellowship with the Triune God.

Gregorios explores how the Church’s teachings on love, charity, and justice are manifested in the lives of the faithful. He emphasizes the importance of church life in the Orthodox faith, where believers are encouraged to support and edify one another in their spiritual journeys.

Gregorios’s book is marked by a deep reverence for the subject matter and an authentic concern for the spiritual well-being of his readers. He combines historical and theological review with useful facts for the development of catechumens, making complex concepts clear and relevant to contemporary life. His approach ensures that readers not only gain a clear understanding of Orthodox Christianity but also see its application in their own spiritual walk.

In conclusion, “The Orthodox Faith, Worship, and Life” by Hieromonk Gregorios is a very beneficial resource for anyone seeking to understand the depth and beauty of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. Through its detailed exploration of theology, worship, and daily practice, the book offers a comprehensive guide to the Orthodox way of life. Gregorios’s informative and clear writing invites readers to delve into the rich traditions of Orthodoxy, encouraging them to appreciate its profound spiritual heritage and to integrate its practices into their own lives. This work stands as a testament to the enduring vitality of the Orthodox faith and its necessity in a world in desperate need of faith, hope, and love.

Author

Archimandrite Gregorios Hatziemmanouil was born on the Greek island of Mytilene and studied theology at the University of Athens, with postgraduate studies in patristic theology at the University of Strasbourg. He was tonsured a monk at the Monastery of St John the Theologian in Mytilene in 1966 and shortly afterward was ordained into the priesthood. In the same year, he joined the monastic community of Mount Athos and is presently the Elder of the small brotherhood of the Cell of St John the Theologian, Koutloumousiou Monastery. He has been a spiritual elder and confessor since 1971 in which capacity he periodically travels throughout Greece and to Germany.

He has written several influential works, including “The Mystery of Marriage: A Fellowship of Love,” which explores the spiritual and sacramental aspects of marriage. He is also known for his commentary on the Divine Liturgy, providing insights into the Orthodox Christian faith and worship. In addition to The Divine Liturgy, his other full-length studies and commentaries (in Greek) include Holy Baptism, Holy Confession; Holy Thanksgiving and Holy Communion, Church, and Church Attendance, and St John the Evangelist, and he has also published numerous articles and booklets.

O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

By on in Theology

Upon completion of the book O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, it has been about four months of liturgy in a structured format, the same as followed with the books O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and Be Thou My Vision. Just as the other books published by Crossway are devotional compilations of materials of common form, they are thoroughly helpful in enriching prayer, worship, instruction, and immersion into Scripture. This book, like the others, is a work of beautiful material that brings together liturgical content and interest from various Patristic, Puritan, Reformed, and Baptist traditions. The book is 484 pages in length, and it’s meant for daily use over a period of 48 days.

The book O Sacred Head, Now Wounded is ordered so that a believer delves into areas of seasonal interest. More specifically, the subject matter goes beyond standard evangelical reading, as more attention is paid to daily worship from Pascha to Pentecost.

Introduction

As with Be Thou My Vision and O Come, O Come Emmanuel, the point of the liturgy in this text is to engage in the material, not as a passive reading for contemplation and understanding, but to engage in areas given to include the following:

  1. Worship
  2. Adoration
  3. Reading of the Law
  4. Confession of Sin
  5. Assurance of Pardon
  6. Recitation of Creeds
  7. Praise
  8. Catechism
  9. Prayer for Illumination
  10. Scripture Reading
  11. Prayer for Intercession
  12. Further Petition
  13. The Lord’s Prayer

In order, each meaning is not strictly ritualistic but complementary to what private or personal connection is made to God as a believer in Christ Jesus. It invites the participant to learn and follow as a disciple devoted to God by the Spirit. This is not ritualism. It is an ordered way of daily worship, instruction, prayer, and spiritual formation. As an instrument of sanctification, consistent immersion in devotion by this form aids in personal spiritual development directed to the glory of God. As a God-centered devotional, personal experience for comfort, satisfaction, and confidence is a secondary benefit.

Worship & Adoration

The distinction between worship and adoration is between scripture and prayer. The call to worship is hearing God’s summons to you through His Word. In this way, the Psalms, or scripture passages that magnify God’s glory, are followed by ready exultation of who He is and what He has done. While adoration is a heart proclamation by the prayers of saints, historical church fathers, Patristics, and Puritans, including the Book of Common Prayer, the devotional participant enters into prayer with them to propagate the adoration through prayers day by day.

Reading of the Law, Confession & Pardon

To acknowledge and confess personal sin, it is necessary to be specific about it. The frame of reference is the standards, requirements, and the law of God as given in the Old and New Testaments. To recognize one’s personal sin, the reading of the law from scripture must be followed and accepted to facilitate confession and repentance. With this confession, scripture reading is followed concerning the assurance of pardon. These are words of comfort received from God.

The Creeds

The Apostles’ Creed, Athanasian Creed, and Nicene Creed are recited to confess orthodox views and proclamations of the Christian faith. The creeds from many centuries ago are read out loud to express belief in what God revealed in His Word, holy scripture. Within the book O Sacred Head, Now Wounded, the creeds are alternated and repeated to verbalize them for mental and spiritual intake each day to reinforce scripturally grounded understanding and acceptance of doctrine and orthodoxy to keep from falling into error or heresy.

Praise & Catechism

Once this far along in the daily devotion, the believer’s attention is turned to singing or verbal utterance of praise to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is the Gloria Patri from the 3rd-5th century for the believer each day as affections are proclaimed with regular attendance from the heart. From earlier worship, adoration, and now praise with confession and reading in between, the spirit within is brought close to God in His presence for continued devotion. After this point, the heart and mind of the believer are directed to the catechism of the catholic and reformed faith. The Heidelberg and Westminster Shorter Catechisms (1647) are read in a sequence of questions and answers corresponding to faith and practice. In alignment with scripture and proper theological doctrines, a few questions are answered for weeks over time to intake morsels of truth for overall certainty and retention. The originates from the canon of biblical truth.

Prayer for Illumination

Prayer for an enlightened heart and mind is repeated each day in a structured way. Only from the words of historical figures Godly by the testimony of their lives and historical work. These are the prayers of people. Saints and divines who lived long ago by the grace of God to encourage, instruct, and abide in Christ among fellow believers. These prayers also come from the ancient Book of Common Prayer, where the plea for illumination remains in continuity to prior days in a structured way. This area of prayer further supports and reinforces personal prayer to ensure your thoughts and words correspond to scripture and the petitions of Godly orthodox people before modernity.

Scripture Reading

From 1835 to 1843, Robert M’Cheyne, a minister from the church of Scotland, prepared a bible reading plan that orients personal exposition through the New Testament and the Psalms twice a year and the Old Testament once yearly. While this plan includes four chapters per day, this liturgical book offers a reading from a smaller reference passage within an appendix. The M’Cheyne plan places believers within reading across New Testament and Old Testament genres to deepen and widen personal immersion within God’s Word. While this passage in the devotional corresponds to the daily time with the Lord in the M’Cheyne bible plan, you can substitute the reading plan of your choice instead.

Prayer of Intercession & Petition

To begin the prayer for personal interest and attention, this area of prayer begins with historical church fathers and prayers from a range of traditions involving Augustine, Anselm, Kempis, Chrysostom, and various others. As a prayer of intercession begins from ancient writings, the reader is invited to pray for personal needs and interests, the church, and the world. I’ve found that working from a short set of notes or a prayer list is helpful for this time within the liturgy. And if it’s not a distraction, a time of personal petition in this way set to music with incense adds to the time of intimacy. This is an ideal time to pray for your family, friends, church, and the community and widen the scope to include what’s on your heart afterward.

The Lord’s Prayer

The final area of the liturgy is the “Our Father” (the Lord’s Prayer). To be read to yourself, verbalized out loud in remembrance of how Jesus teaches us to pray. To close the liturgy speaking this prayer, not by empty utterance, but by a heart intent of love and loyalty. If you do this on your knees or bow before Him in His presence, even better.

Our Father in Heaven,
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

05/04/2024

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

By on in Theology

The book O Come O Come, Emmanuel is a devotional compilation of materials structured in liturgical form. It is a work of beautiful material that follows the liturgical format of Be Thou My Vision. The book’s substance is ordered so a believer delves into areas of pertinent interest. The book is 429 pages long and goes beyond standard evangelical reading, including guided subject matter, the Word, and prayer. Over the last 40 days, I gave attention each day to the material and immersed myself in the various segments of the liturgy as a renewed means of devotion.

Introduction

As with Be Thou My Vision, the point of the liturgy in this text is to engage in the material, not as a passive reading for contemplation and understanding, but to engage in areas given to include the following:

  1. Worship
  2. Adoration
  3. Reading of the Law
  4. Confession of Sin
  5. Assurance of Pardon
  6. Recitation of Creeds
  7. Praise
  8. Catechism
  9. Prayer for Illumination
  10. Scripture Reading
  11. Prayer for Intercession
  12. Further Petition
  13. The Lord’s Prayer

In order, each meaning is not strictly ritualistic but complementary to what private or personal connection is made to God as a believer in Christ Jesus. It invites the participant to learn and follow as a disciple devoted to God by the Spirit. This is not ritualism. It is an ordered way of daily worship, instruction, prayer, and spiritual formation. As an instrument of sanctification, consistent immersion in devotion by this form aids in personal spiritual development directed to the glory of God. As a God-centered devotional, personal experience for comfort, satisfaction, and confidence is a secondary benefit.

Worship & Adoration

The distinction between worship and adoration is between scripture and prayer. The call to worship is hearing God’s summons to you through His Word. In this way, the Psalms, or scripture passages that magnify God’s glory, are followed by ready exultation of who He is and what He has done. While adoration is a heart proclamation by the prayers of saints, historical church fathers, Patristics, and Puritans, including the Book of Common Prayer, the devotional participant enters into prayer with them to propagate the adoration through prayers day by day.

Reading of the Law, Confession & Pardon

To acknowledge and confess personal sin, it is necessary to be specific about it. The frame of reference is the standards, requirements, and the law of God as given in the Old and New Testaments. To recognize one’s personal sin, the reading of the law from scripture must be followed and accepted to facilitate confession and repentance. With this confession, scripture reading is followed concerning the assurance of pardon. These are words of comfort received from God.

The Creeds

The Apostles’ Creed, Athanasian Creed, and Nicene Creed are recited to confess orthodox views and proclamations of the Christian faith. The creeds from many centuries ago are read out loud to express belief in what God revealed in His Word, holy scripture. Within the book O Come O Come, Emmanuel, the creeds are alternated and repeated to verbalize them for mental and spiritual intake each day to reinforce scripturally grounded understanding and acceptance of doctrine and orthodoxy to keep from falling into error or heresy.

Praise & Catechism

Once this far along in the daily devotion, the believer’s attention is turned to singing or verbal utterance of praise to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is the Gloria Patri from the 3rd-5th century for the believer each day as affections are proclaimed with regular attendance from the heart. From earlier worship, adoration, and now praise with confession and reading in between, the spirit within is brought close to God in His presence for continued devotion. After this point, the heart and mind of the believer are directed to the catechism of the catholic and reformed faith. The Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647) is read in a sequence of questions and answers corresponding to faith and practice. In alignment with scripture and proper theological doctrines, a few questions are answered sequentially across 31 days to intake morsels of truth for overall certainty and retention. It originates from the canon of biblical truth.

Prayer for Illumination

Prayer for an enlightened heart and mind is repeated each day in a structured way. Only from the words of historical figures Godly by the testimony of their lives and historical work. These are the prayers of people. Saints and divines who lived long ago by the grace of God to encourage, instruct, and abide in Christ among fellow believers. These prayers also come from the ancient Book of Common Prayer, where the plea for illumination remains in continuity to prior days in a structured way. This area of prayer further supports and reinforces personal prayer to ensure your thoughts and words correspond to scripture and the petitions of Godly orthodox people before modernity.

Scripture Reading

From 1835 to 1843, Robert M’Cheyne, a minister from the church of Scotland, prepared a bible reading plan that orients personal exposition through the New Testament and the Psalms twice a year and the Old Testament once yearly. While this plan includes four chapters per day, this liturgical book offers a reading from a smaller reference passage within an appendix. The M’Cheyne plan places believers within reading across New Testament and Old Testament genres to deepen and widen personal immersion within God’s Word. While this passage in the devotional corresponds to the daily time with the Lord in the M’Cheyne bible plan, you can substitute the reading plan of your choice instead.

Prayer of Intercession & Petition

To begin the prayer for personal interest and attention, this area of prayer begins with historical church fathers and prayers from a range of traditions involving Augustine, Anselm, Kempis, Chrysostom, and various others. As a prayer of intercession begins from ancient writings, the reader is invited to pray for personal needs and interests, the church, and the world. I’ve found that working from a short set of notes or a prayer list is helpful for this time within the liturgy. And if it’s not a distraction, a time of personal petition in this way set to music with incense adds to the time of intimacy. This is an ideal time to pray for your family, friends, church, and the community and widen the scope to include what’s on your heart afterward.

The Lord’s Prayer

The final area of the liturgy is the “Our Father” (the Lord’s Prayer). To be read to yourself, verbalized out loud in remembrance of how Jesus teaches us to pray. To close the liturgy speaking this prayer, not by empty utterance, but by a heart intent of love and loyalty. If you do this on your knees or bow before Him in His presence, even better.

Our Father in Heaven,
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

02/23/2024

Visions of the Devoted

By on in Theology

The book Be Thou My Vision is a devotional compilation of materials structured in liturgical form. The book’s substance is ordered so that a believer delves into areas of pertinent interest. The book is 345 pages long and goes well beyond standard evangelical reading, including guided subject matter, the Word, and prayer. Over the last 31 days, I gave attention each morning to the material and immersed myself in the various segments of the liturgy as a renewed means of devotion.

Introduction

The point of the liturgy is to engage in the material, not as a passive reading for contemplation and understanding, but to engage in areas given to include the following:

  1. Worship
  2. Adoration
  3. Reading of the Law
  4. Confession of Sin
  5. Assurance of Pardon
  6. Recitation of Creeds
  7. Praise
  8. Catechism
  9. Prayer for Illumination
  10. Scripture Reading
  11. Prayer for Intercession
  12. Further Petition
  13. The Lord’s Prayer

In order, each meaning is not strictly ritualistic but complementary to what private or personal connection is made to God as a believer in Christ Jesus. It invites the participant to learn and follow as a disciple devoted to God by the Spirit. This is not ritualism. It is an ordered way of daily worship, instruction, prayer, and spiritual formation. As an instrument of sanctification, consistent immersion in devotion by this form aids in personal spiritual development directed to the glory of God. As a God-centered devotional, personal experience for comfort, satisfaction, and confidence is a secondary benefit.

Worship & Adoration

The distinction between worship and adoration is between scripture and prayer. The call to worship is a hearing of God’s summons to you through His Word. In this way, the Psalms, or scripture passages that magnify God’s glory, are followed by ready exultation of who He is and what He has done. While adoration is a heart proclamation by the prayers of saints, historical church fathers, Patristics, and Puritans, including the Book of common prayer, the devotional participant enters into prayer with them to propagate the adoration through prayers day by day.

Reading of the Law, Confession & Pardon

To acknowledge personal sin and confess it, it is necessary to be specific about it. The frame of reference is the standards, requirements, and the law of God as given in the Old and New Testaments. To recognize one’s personal sin, the reading of the law from scripture must be followed and accepted to facilitate confession and repentance. With this confession, scripture reading is followed concerning the assurance of pardon. These are words of comfort received from God.

The Creeds

The Apostles’ Creed, Athanasian Creed, and Nicene Creed are recited to confess orthodox views and proclamations of the Christian faith. The creeds from many centuries ago are read out loud to express belief in what God revealed in His Word, holy scripture. Within the book, Be Thou My Vision, the creeds are alternated and repeated to verbalize them for mental and spiritual intake each day to reinforce scripturally grounded understanding and acceptance of doctrine and orthodoxy to keep from falling into error or heresy. To read the creeds, I have assembled and posted their statements and historical formation here.

Praise & Catechism

Once this far along in the daily devotion, the believer’s attention is turned to singing or verbal utterance of praise to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is the Gloria Patri from the 3rd-5th century for the believer each day as affections are proclaimed with regular attendance from the heart. From earlier worship, adoration, and now praise with confession and reading in between, the spirit within is brought close to God in His presence for continued devotion. After this point, the heart and mind of the believer are directed to the catechism of the catholic and reformed faith. The Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647) is read in a sequence of questions and answers corresponding to faith and practice. In alignment with scripture and proper theological doctrines, a few questions are answered sequentially across 31 days to intake morsels of truth for overall certainty and retention. It originates from the canon of biblical truth.

Prayer for Illumination

Prayer for an enlightened heart and mind is repeated each day in a structured way. Only from the words of historical figures Godly by the testimony of their lives and historical work. These are the prayers of people. Saints and divines who lived long ago by the grace of God to encourage, instruct, and abide in Christ among fellow believers. These prayers also come from the ancient Book of common prayer, where the plea for illumination remains in continuity to prior days in a structured way. This area of prayer further supports and reinforces personal prayer to assure your thoughts and words correspond to scripture and the petitions of Godly orthodox people before modernity.

Scripture Reading

From 1835 to 1843, Robert M’Cheyne, a minister from the church of Scotland, prepared a bible reading plan that orients personal exposition through the New Testament and the Psalms twice a year and the Old Testament once yearly. While this plan includes four chapters per day, this liturgical book offers a reading from a smaller reference passage within an appendix. The M’Cheyne plan places believers within reading across New Testament and Old Testament genres to deepen and widen personal immersion within God’s Word. While this passage in the devotional corresponds to the daily time with the Lord in the M’Cheyne bible plan, you can substitute the reading plan of your choice instead.

Prayer of Intercession & Petition

To begin the prayer for personal interest and attention, this area of prayer begins with historical church fathers and prayers from a range of traditions involving Augustine, Anselm, Kempis, Chrysostom, and various others. As a prayer of intercession begins from ancient writings, the reader is invited to pray for personal needs and interests, the church, and the world. I’ve found that working from a short set of notes or a prayer list is helpful for this time within the liturgy. And if it’s not a distraction, a time of personal petition in this way set to music with incense adds to the time of intimacy. This is an ideal time to pray for your family, friends, church, and the community and widen the scope to include what’s on your heart afterward.

The Lord’s Prayer

The final area of the liturgy is the “Our Father” (the Lord’s Prayer). To be read to yourself, verbalized out loud in remembrance of how Jesus teaches us to pray. To close the liturgy speaking this prayer, not by empty utterance, but by a heart intent of love and loyalty. If you do this on your knees or bow before Him in His presence, even better.

Our Father in Heaven,
hallowed be your name;
your kingdom come;
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

05/28/2023