The Liturgy of Prayer
Dear Children of God, how have you been? How are your families, friends and School? Are you doing well in your education this year? We hope you have got all the good grades and be rewarded. Children, we have been telling you all along about the importance of education in particular to the Church teachings that guides your spiritual life. Therefore, it is better for you to learn beginning your childhood until you become mature and even at old ages. Since our spiritual life is eternal, we shall always be ready to hear, read and understand the word of God.
Dear Children of God, you remember our last lesson right? It was about the “Liturgy of Fasting.” Now, we will teach you about “The Liturgy of Prayer.” A prayer is a man’s ways or reaching God; It is praise to what is granted us, as Prophet David said, “I will praise You forever, Because You have done it.” (Psalm 52:9) and plead to what we seek to be bestowed, according to Saint Paul’s words “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” (Ephesians 16:18)
Children, it is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who taught us to pray. He did not only teach us to pray in His words but also by praying Himself. He told the holy apostles to pray saying, “In this manner, therefore, pray: (Matthew 6:9-13)
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.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
The Church Liturgy of Prayer teaches us three types of prayer; 1. Personal Prayer 2. The Congregational Prayer and 3. Family Prayer. The Prayer of every Christian is known to be “Personal Prayer”, The Prayer of Priests, Deacons, other servile and laities (Christians) is Congregational Prayer. This includes, “The Prayer Kidane, the Daily Prayer, the Divine Liturgy (Kidase), “Seatat,” Mahlete and Mehela. The other one is family prayer that is done amongst family members.
Dear Children of God, there is a discipline for each prayer; There are eternal and external preparation for it. First we shall keep our personal hygiene (wash our body and clothes), wear our “Netela” by the sign of the Cross, put on the light, (Candle, Tewaf) and stand in front of Holy Icons up-straight. We mention only the main rules but there are also others principles we should follow.
Eternal preparation is to pray with love and faith. We must not have hate and avenge inside us. Because our Lord Jesus Christ has said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
Dear Children of God, we shall pray without being fed up or annoyed and in rush. This is only the few important things we mentioned about prayer. We shall see about the “Hours of Prayers” for next time.
Children, our religious fathers say, “Prayer is the fence of Life.” Just like a fence protects our house from being robbed (steal) by thieves, our prayer also protects us from enemy Satan and all the hardships brought by him. Our righteous fathers have defeated their enemy. Thus, we shall pray when we wake up early in the morning, before and after we eat our food, do any kinds of activities anywhere and before we go to be to sleep, praising (thanking) God for providing our food, clothes, for protecting us through our daily lives and plead His guidance in protecting us from any harm in the future. We have to pray for the peace of our country, love and unity of people.
Farwell Children, we have taught you some aspects of prayer for now and we shall see the rest next time.
May God hear our prayer and grants us our good wish, Amen!