Orthodox Initiative #2: Keep a general prayer list and frequently pray for others

As Christians, prayer is at the center of our lives. We should be turning to God daily, even hourly to grant Him praise and to ask for Him to do what He does by his Nature: have mercy on us. We should ask our spiritual father for a rule of prayer so that we can regularly call upon God for ourselves and others.

But we should also pray for the welfare of others by name. It does not take long to remember someone and offer their name up to God.

Initiative: Put together prayer lists of people in need - especially total strangers. Write down their names in these categories, and perhaps add some of your own:

• The sick
• The poor, or those generally suffering from financial hardship
• Those suffering a loss
  
• The dying
• The dead
• Those who have apostatized from the Orthodox Faith
• Spiritual seekers
• Catechumens
  

As you come across people who fall into these categories, write down their names. Then commemorate them for an appropriate period of time. You may come across stories of total strangers in social media, in conversation with others, or perhaps a parish bulletin has a prayer list that you could copy.

Recommended practices:

• Pray for the dead for at least 40 days, daily (if not a full year), after their repose.
• Pray for the sick for the entirety of their illness.
• Ask your spiritual father if there are particular prayers you should offer up for each category.
• Your personal prayerbook may contain prayers for certain categories.
• Keep the list in your prayer corner or some other accessible place. Perhaps keep it in a notebook versus loose paper sheets.
  

The views expressed on this blog are my own and are not necessarily official positions held by the OCA.  This blog is not intended to be an introduction to Orthodoxy or a catechesis, nor is it a place for intense theological debate and discussion.  If you are an inquirer, please see links to helpful resources near the end of the first article:  https://asonofthemetropolia.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-first-post-or-introduction-to-son-of.html  

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