Contemplations – Page 396 – Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Midlands, U.K.

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving- Colossians 4:2 . . There is nothing more worthwhile than to pray to God and to converse with him, for prayer unites us with God as his companions. As our bodily eyes are illuminated by seeing the light, so in contemplating God our soul is illuminated by him. Of course the prayer I have in mind is no matter of routine, it is deliberate and earnest. It is not tied down to a fixed timetable; rather it is a state which endures by night and day. Our soul should be…

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving- Colossians 4:2 . . There is nothing more worthwhile than to pray to God and to converse with him, for prayer unites us with God as his companions. As our bodily eyes are illuminated by seeing the light, so in contemplating God our soul is illuminated by him. Of course the prayer I have in mind is no matter of routine, it is deliberate and earnest. It is not tied down to a fixed timetable; rather it is a state which endures by night and day. Our soul should be…

Dec 27, 2016

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness – 2 Peter 1:3 . . “We remember how He sought our salvation.. for our salvation He emptied Himself and took the form of a bondservant. He came in the flesh and endured the weakness of the human nature. He experienced hunger, thirst and fatigue. He suffered insults and passions. He was crucified, buried and risen. He was born in a manger to lift us up to His throne in eternity. He became the Son of Man to make us the sons of God. He…

His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness – 2 Peter 1:3 . . “We remember how He sought our salvation.. for our salvation He emptied Himself and took the form of a bondservant. He came in the flesh and endured the weakness of the human nature. He experienced hunger, thirst and fatigue. He suffered insults and passions. He was crucified, buried and risen. He was born in a manger to lift us up to His throne in eternity. He became the Son of Man to make us the sons of God. He…

Dec 26, 2016

“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” – Luke 1:45 . “You see that Mary did not doubt but believed and therefore obtained the fruit of faith. “Blessed … are you who have believed.” But you also are blessed who have heard and believed. For a soul that has believed has both conceived and bears the Word of God and declares his works. Let the soul of Mary be in each of you, so that it magnifies the Lord. Let the spirit of Mary be in…

“Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.” – Luke 1:45 . “You see that Mary did not doubt but believed and therefore obtained the fruit of faith. “Blessed … are you who have believed.” But you also are blessed who have heard and believed. For a soul that has believed has both conceived and bears the Word of God and declares his works. Let the soul of Mary be in each of you, so that it magnifies the Lord. Let the spirit of Mary be in…

Dec 25, 2016

“But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5 . “The men of God, then, ought to prepare themselves for conflict and combat. As a brave young man bears the blows that fall on him, and the wrestling match, and hits back, so Christians ought to put up with afflictions without and wars within, in order that, though belabored, they may conquer by endurance.” St Macarius the Great #bewatchful #endureafflictions #fulfilyourministry #kiahk #fastoftheNativity #Advent #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5 . “The men of God, then, ought to prepare themselves for conflict and combat. As a brave young man bears the blows that fall on him, and the wrestling match, and hits back, so Christians ought to put up with afflictions without and wars within, in order that, though belabored, they may conquer by endurance.” St Macarius the Great #bewatchful #endureafflictions #fulfilyourministry #kiahk #fastoftheNativity #Advent #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

Dec 24, 2016

“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”” – 1 Peter 3:13-14 . “No one can harm him: When the believer realises that no one can harm him, not even the worst circumstances can harm him, unless he harms himself by forsaking doing good. Thus, he is not afraid even from the one who wants to kill him, for he is certain that he cannot be prevented from doing…

“And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.”” – 1 Peter 3:13-14 . “No one can harm him: When the believer realises that no one can harm him, not even the worst circumstances can harm him, unless he harms himself by forsaking doing good. Thus, he is not afraid even from the one who wants to kill him, for he is certain that he cannot be prevented from doing…

Dec 23, 2016

“He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, And shall not despise their prayer.” Psalm 101:17 . “When you pray, bring to mind the ploughman who sows in hope. He Who gives back double the seed that the ploughman sows with hope, Who has esteemed the seeking of His Kingdom and His righteousness to be greater than temporal things, will Himself reward your entreaty according to His promise.” St Isaac the Syrian #ConsecrationofChurchofStMisaeltheAnchorite #prayer #Godanswers #kiahk #fastoftheNativity #Advent #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

“He shall regard the prayer of the destitute, And shall not despise their prayer.” Psalm 101:17 . “When you pray, bring to mind the ploughman who sows in hope. He Who gives back double the seed that the ploughman sows with hope, Who has esteemed the seeking of His Kingdom and His righteousness to be greater than temporal things, will Himself reward your entreaty according to His promise.” St Isaac the Syrian #ConsecrationofChurchofStMisaeltheAnchorite #prayer #Godanswers #kiahk #fastoftheNativity #Advent #dailyreadings #coptic #orthodox

Dec 22, 2016