Prayer Corner

O Master, Lord Jesus Christ, our God, Who are long suffering toward our transgressions and have led us even to this hour, in which, You while hanging on the life-giving Tree, made the way for the entry into Paradise of the grateful thief and by death destroyed death: cleanse us, Your sinful and unworthy servants; for we have sinned and committed iniquities and are not worthy to lift up our eyes and look to the height of heaven, because we have forsaken the path of Your righteousness, and have walked dafter the desires of our hearts.  But we beseech Your boundless grace: Spare us, O Lord, according to the multitude of Your mercy, and save us for the sake of Your holy name; for our days are wastes away in vanity.  Rescue us from the hand of the adversary and forgive us our sins, and mortify the presumption of our flesh, that putting off the old man, we may put on the new one, and live for You, our Master and Benefactor; and that following in Your commandments, we may attain to eternal rest, wherein is the  dwelling place of all who are glad.  For You are indeed the true joy and gladness of those who love You, O Christ our God, and to You we send up glory, with Your Eternal Father, and Your most Holy Good and Life-creating Spirit, now and ever and forever.  Amen.

Fasting gradually disperses and drives away spiritual darkness and the veil of sin that lies on the soul, just as the sun dispels the mist. Fasting enables us spiritually to see that spiritual air in which Christ, the Sun who knows no setting, does not rise, but shines without ceasing. Fasting, aided by vigil, penetrates and softens hardness of heart. Where once were the vapors of drunkenness it causes fountains of compunction to spring forth.

- St. Symeon the New Theologian, from The Discourses: XI no. 2, Paulist Press pg. 168