780)
Until flesh is showing its own importance, there is nothing wrong; but when we allow
it everything and when – crossing its own borders – it [flesh] confronts the soul, then it
loses and ruins everything, not because of its own nature, but due to
intemperance and the disorder ensuing [from the latter].
Sentences by St. John Chrysostom
24 Prayers of St. JOHN Chrysostom
24
prayers of John Chrysostom according to the number of hours of day and night –
for each hour its own prayer .
1 1. O Lord,
deprive me not of Thy heavenly good things.
2 2. O
Lord, deliver me from the eternal torments.
3 3. O
Lord, if I have sinned in mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me.
4 4. O
Lord, deliver me from all ignorance, forgetfulness, faintheartedness, and stony
insensibility.
5 5. O
Lord, deliver me from every temptation.
6 6. O
Lord, enlighten my heart which evil desire hath darkened.
7 7. O
Lord, as a man I have sinned, but do Thou, as the compassionate God, have
mercy on me, seeing the infirmity of my soul.
8. O
Lord, send Thy grace to my help, that I may glorify Thy holy name.
9 9. O
Lord, Jesus Christ, write me Thy servant in the Book of Life, and grant me a
good end.
110. O Lord my God, even though I have done
nothing good in Thy sight, yet grant me Thy grace to make a good
beginning.
111. O Lord, sprinkle into my heart the dew of
Thy grace.
112. O Lord of heaven and earth, remember me Thy
sinful servant, shameful and unclean, in Thy kingdom. Amen.
1 1. O Lord,
accept my penitence.
2 2. O
Lord, forsake me not.
3 3. O
Lord, lead me not into temptation.
4 4. O
Lord, grant me good thoughts.
5 5. O
Lord, grant me tears, and remembrance of death, and compunction.
6 6. O
Lord, grant me the thought of confessing my sins.
7 7. O
Lord, grant me humility, chastity, and obedience.
8. O
Lord, grant me patience, courage, and meekness.
9 9. O
Lord, implant in me the root of good, Thy fear in my heart.
110.
O Lord, vouchsafe me to love Thee with all
my soul and thoughts, and in all things to do Thy will.
111. O Lord, protect me from evil men, and
demons, and passions, and from every other unseemly thing.
112. O Lord, Thou knowest that Thou doest as Thou
wilt: Thy will be done also in me a sinner; for blessed art Thou unto the
ages. Amen.
Saint
Theophan the Recluse attached great importance to these prayers and recommended
them to many of his spiritual children as the basis of the prayer rule, as a
school of unceasing contemplation of God. Here are some excerpts from his
letters:
“How
to read the prayers of St. Chrysostom (24 in evening prayers for sleep)? Read
them before prayer, so that the attention is gathered together ... But at any
time, mentally repeat. This is the best way to accustom yourself to
remembering God, and this remembering is the basis of spiritual life. Bows
should be made, and sometimes down to the earth”.
“You
can use the prayers of St. Chrysostom instead of your home rule in the
morning. Memorize them and think them over. In them all spiritual
life is remembered. How many times to remember each - define it so that
you stand at prayer as much as you usually stand at the rule. You can
attach your prayers to them - choose from the psalms: write down which rhyme is
to your heart ... Using these prayers onto the rule with attention, you will
soon get used to standing on prayer undistractedly. Insert the Jesus
Prayer into their midst. For example, having said ten times: "Lord,
deprive me not of Thy heavenly goods," apply: "Lord Jesus Christ, Son
of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
“The
purpose of short prayers is to facilitate the collection of thoughts and
sobriety. Strength is not in words, but in a feeling for God. It will soon be
formed among the working people over prayer. This is smart prayer. The mind, standing
in the heart, beholds God and intelligently confesses to Him by invoking Him
... Feeling for God is unceasing prayer without words. "
