Bored

[MariaGatchina]

Hello !

I know this may sound awful but I sometimes get bored / stale withmy daily rule. I try to say additional prayers each day that are different. This is in addition to the rule that I have been maintaining. Is this a common occurance and what can I do ??

Is it okay to skip the regular rule now and again as replace it with the Compline service ?

Just wondering what others do ... I try to put my heart into it but some days it seems to just come out of my mouth by memory.

Thanks !

[Peter Farrington]

Dear Marina

I am sure that your feelings are experienced by many of us, not that this makes it easier.

For myself, even when I feel dry and stale I know that I can pray, "Lord, you know that I am praying without feeling, but I want to offer these poor prayers to you in any case because the words are words I would wish to feel, and they are words I would wish to believe. Grant me grace to feel them, but in any case accept them for your Glory".

I like to think that at those times when Christ seems far away and everything is dim it is because my weak spirit is blinded by his glorious presence, not because He is not close.

There is perhaps some use in varying a rule, but I would counsel you to seek some advice from your priest or spiritual father. Again, for myself, I sometimes pray the Jesus Prayer instead of the Morning Prayers from my own British Orthodox prayerbook, but I try to pray the Morning Prayers if I am able, or at least one of the other Hours, even if I pray the Jesus Prayer. I find that there is value in developing a particular habit and sticking to it, as far as is possible. But again, do seek advice from a priest close to you.

And be assured of my prayers for you.

Peter

[Andreas Moran]

Dear Maria,

Father Zacharias says we should treasure times of dryness and boredom because if we pray when it's not easy to pray, this may be more pleasing to God than when we pray when we find it easy. Bishop Eirenaios once told me that if we do not say the rule of prayer yet during the day we keep in our minds and hearts a mindfulness of God, this is also prayer and acceptable to God. He also said not to worry if we miss the correct time to pray - it doesn't matter if we're late: God is not clockwatching.

The short rule of St Seraphim of Sarov is helpful: Our Father three times;the Creed; 'It is truly meet . . .' to the Mother of God. These prayers contain the essentials of our Orthodox faith and may save. When I'm busy in a morning, I pray in the car, on the way to work, to the supermarket, or whatever.

I hope this helps. I'm sure we all experience the same as you say.

In Christ,

Andreas.

[MariaGatchina]

Thank you all for your help ... it is so nice to get advise from others that have experienced the same. I will keep in mind all that everyone has said and use it to the Glory of God.

Thanks so much !!

[John Charmley]

Thank you all for your help ... it is so nice to get advise from others that have experienced the same. I will keep in mind all that everyone has said and use it to the Glory of God.

Thanks so much !!


Dear Maria,

With such an attitude - and the help of God and of prayer - you will be on your way to a better frame of mind.

May God grant you a peaceful mind.


In Christ,

John

[Owen Jones]

Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die!

[Andreas Moran]

. . . and if we don't, we have a hangover!

[Leah C. Cowan]

Oh Yea! Something else I know something about!!! I have two topics on this one subject. One, when I was Prodestant, I never really had formal prayer unless I was with a group of people, but every word in my mind was "too God". Does that make since? I was always talking to him. Like, :God, can you help me find Paul's pant size, so I can go home?";) No, really, it was a constant, unceasing praise and worship. I also listened to contemporary Christian music, which helped me to sing to Him all day. My Priest says they sound like love songs you could sing to your spouse, but that is how I felt about My Lord.

I say all that so you can understand how boring it can get for me to pray pre-written prayers, however, I find so much meat in those prayers (when I do it), and they help get my mind on God, and then I still try to pray unceasingly. I am just finding it harder to connect to God becuase of some other things.

One of the MOST HELPFUL, INSPIRATIONAL TOOLS THAT I WOULD RECOMMEND TO EVERY ORTHODOX CHRISTION IS "A spiritual Psalter, Reflections on God, Ephraim the Syrian. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get this book of Love Letters to God written by Father Ephraim himself. If you cannot afford it, PM me, and I will send you one. Here is an excerpt. They are very short, but will seem long for a post. I will cap it.
A TRUMPET WILL SOUND FROM HEAVENS SAYING: AWAKE YOU BELOVED OF CHRIST. LO THE HEAVENLY KING HAS COME TO GIVE YOU REPOSE AND JOY IN ETERNAL LIFE IN RETURN FOR YOUR ASCETIC LABORS. AWAKE AND BEHOLD CHRIST THE KING, THE IMMORTAL BRIDEGROOM, WHOM YOU HAVE LOVED. BEHOLD HIS KINGDOM THAT HE HAS PREPARED FOR YOU. COME AND REJOICE TOGETHER WITH HIM IN INEXPRESSBLE JOY.

GRANT FORGIVENESS, O LORD; SEND ALSO STRENGTH. CONVERT ME, THAT I MIGHT LIVE IN SANCTITY, ACCORDING TO THY HOLY WILL. SANCTIFY MY HEART THAT HAS BECOME A DEN AND DWELLING PLACE OF DEMONS.

I AM UNWORTHY TO ASK FORGIVENESS FOR MYSELF. OH LORD, FOR MANY TIMES I HAVE PROMISED TO REPENT, AND PROVED MYSELF A LIER, BY NOT FULFILLING MY PROMISE. THOU HAS PICKED ME UP MANY TIMES ALREADY, BUT EVERY TIME I FREELY CHOOSE TO FALL AGAIN.

Prayer 120 Pg. 191 You will have to get it to read the rest! These are the PERSONAL prayers of St. Ephraim. They are guaranteed to get rid of boredom during your personal prayer time, and great to pick up during times of temptation.

OK, Now topic Two. I have the problem of getting EXTREMELY bored in Church services, I find it hard to hear anything that is being said, and I can't follow in the book that quickly. Keep in mind, I am used to jumping up and down and clapping my hands!:cool: during worship. My Priest and I have also talked about an exorcism, because this is not my only promblem, but when I am in any type of service, I can't stand it. My skin crawls, I sweat, and I want to run out, and usually do, or did. I stopped going about a year ago. Any help with that one would be great!
Thanks,
Leah

[Nina]

Dear Leah,

Thank you for your suggestion about the book! I never heard about that book! :) Did you know that during Great Lent we always say a beautiful prayer from St. Ephraim the Syrian?

In church sometime it is normal to get distracted. So try to collect your thoughts and reign over them like a queen and direct them to Christ. Then think of yourself as a little, helpless child that is there in the mercy of God and only He as a wonderful Parent has the power to save you. And start pouring out your heart and your love to Him. Close your eyes if it helps and just silently pray, pray, pray. Do not be afraid to shed tears. Do this at home as well. So you can train your soul and mind.

What is most important listen to your priest. After all, my advise is just a simple one from a sister in Christ. Nothing more. A Parent knows better; and of course our God inspires our priests to tell us the right thing for our salvation. :)

With much love in Christ,
Nina

[Kris]

Hello !
I know this may sound awful but I sometimes get bored / stale withmy daily rule. I try to say additional prayers each day that are different. This is in addition to the rule that I have been maintaining. Is this a common occurance and what can I do ??

Is it okay to skip the regular rule now and again as replace it with the Compline service ?

Just wondering what others do ... I try to put my heart into it but some days it seems to just come out of my mouth by memory.


What is and is not acceptable for you to do is essentially a matter that you need to discuss with your spiritual father.

A practice recommended by many of the Saints, such as St. Theophan the Recluse, and one that I've heard recommended by countless priests, is to mix your own private prayers with your rule.