Orthodox Archbishop of Nea Iustiniana ad All Cyprus
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In the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Lord, God of our Fathers, you always have love, patience and mercy for us, hear us gathered here together to delve into your divine words and to find the way that leads us to your commandments, so that we can live our lives pleasing you, being next to your presence.
For you have said: “For where two or three meet in my name, I am there among them” (Mt 18, 20).
For you are invisibly among us, now, while we are giving thanks for all the gifts you gave us, gathered in a joyful brotherhood, proclaiming our faith and our determination so that the love for peace and justice can prevail. Continue, through your great Mercy, to give us the gift of your presence among us.
Still, we pray you, we invoke you and we beg you, make us worthy - in your kindness - to live your Divine Law and not to be his listeners only.
For you have said: “'It is not anyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," who will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but the person who does the will of my Father in heaven” (Mt 7,21).
Make us worthy to find grace in your sight to accomplish Your will and become children of the light and of the day, so that your word be fulfilled in us: “In the same way your light must shine in people's sight, so that, seeing your good works, they may give praise to your Father in heaven” (Mt 5,16).
We know, O Lord, we are sinful and weak, we know we are not worthy to turn our eyes to heaven, therefore, we beseech your great Mercy, turn your merciful eyes to us and send us your Holy Spirit to enlighten us while walking in the narrowest paths, and lead us to do good deeds pleasing you.
For you have said: “Whatever you ask in my name I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (Jn 14, 13-14).
As we are sinners, O Lord, we put our trust in you and we worship you only, willing to fulfill your commandment: “Go, therefore, make disciples of all nations; baptise them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. And look, I am with you always; yes, to the end of time” (Mt 28, 19-20).
Therefore, with all our spirit and all our strength, we invoke you for the Father to give us the Paraclite, to remain among us for ever and ever.
Indeed, Lord, we want you to send us the Spirit of truth “whom the world can never accept since it neither sees nor knows him” (Jn 14,17) as we know him, because you enlighten our lives by accomplishing your commands, which you gave to your disciples, and through them, to us.
Particularly, we ask you Lord for your love to protect and grow under your blessing the institution of marriage – which is affected by a wide spread crisis; send the spouse the mercifulness of your Holy Spirit, to let them aware about the elevation of their mission, and to grow their children according to your preaching, in order that your will is lived and your holy name glorified.
Still, we pray you o Lord, send your Holy Spirit on the world’s leaders not following your will on justice, rather governing the world according to their own hearts, for their own interest, imposing injustice and cruelty.
O Lord we lift our pleading hands to you, and we unanimously invoke your goodness so that, with your strength, friendly to mankind, the times of grief and hardship for the peoples of Middle East and of the whole world, will be shortened.
Enlighten those who govern and those who provoke sufferings to their peoples, so that they may care for the good of their countries. Again, Lord we invoke you: may the inhabitants of all Nations follow the path of your will, and live together in harmony. Strengthen the Churches of Christ, so that their actions respect, at last, the commandments of your Holy Gospel.
O Lord, our God, listen to us. With the aid of the Virgin Mary and of All Saints, support us. Move away from us all enemies and adversaries, both visible and invisible, and empower us so that we may follow You in peace and in freedom.
Give us strength and light so that “we too should begin living a new life.” (Rm 6,4) and make good deeds in your presence.
Blessed and glorified be your name for ever and ever. Amen. |