Prayer

As many of you know from reading Paradosis, last weekend (March 18-20) I visited the St. John the Forerunner Monastery at Goldendale. I really wanted to talk to the Abbess about some of my frustrations in regards to my family, how could I handle the ever-increasing load of responsibility that seemed to face me on a daily basis, so I requested to do so. As I sat Saturday morning very nervous about the impending meeting I thought I’d write some thoughts down on paper. But what came out seemed so trivial… and as I wrote it became ever so clearer that I already knew the answer to all these trivial matters and complaints. PRAYER

No matter the complaint, frustration, problem or job we can go to God for strength, for answers, for support, for direction. Or to take our focus off of our own pitiful self and back on God where it belongs…only through prayer can we do that.

Lord, be merciful to me sinner.

But as Gerontissa pointed out to me, prayer can be or NEEDS(for some such as I) to be as simple as using the Jesus Prayer throughout the day while working. She told me not to be so anxious but concentrate on the Jesus Prayer.

Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.