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Practical Tips for Practicing Orthodoxy in Our Daily Lives
- Prayers are said morning and evening, either together as a family or individually.
- A blessing (grace) is said by the head of the family before a meal, and a prayer of
- thanksgiving afterwards.
- On entering a room where there is an icon, cross yourself before it and say a brief
- prayer.
- When leaving your home, make the sign of the cross over the door and pray for its
- protection.
- On seeing a priest or even when phoning them or writing to them, always ask for a
- blessing.
- Before going to bed, make the sign of the cross over it and pray for protection during
- sleep.
- When you hear of anyone’s death, immediately say a prayer for their eternal
- memory.
- If discussing or planning the future say: “As God wills.”
- If you offend or hurt anyone, say as soon as possible, “Forgive me,” always trying to
- take the blame yourself.
- If something turns out well, say “Praise be to God.”
- If something turns out badly; if there is pain, sickness or any kind of trouble, say
- “Praise be to God for all things,” since God is all good and, though we might not
- understand the purpose of these things, undoubtedly they have been permitted by
- God.
- If you begin some task, say, “God help me,” or if someone else is working: “May God
- help you,” (How sad that this expression is so perverted in the modern exclamation
- “God help you!”).
- Cross yourself and say a brief prayer before even the shortest journey by car.
- For a longer and more difficult journey, ask a priest to sing a Moleben, failing that, at
- home say the troparion and kontakion for a journey.
- If there is a possibility of future trouble of any kind, either for yourself or for
- someone you care for, say an Akathist to the Mother of God.
- When you receive a blessing after prayer, always remember to thank God; if it a small
- thing, you may add a prayer of thanksgiving to your daily prayers or make an offering.
- For matters of greater importance, ask the priest to serve the Thanksgiving Moleben.
- But NEVER neglect to give thanks.
- Mother Pelagia of Lesna Convent
- Published by the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
- December 2004
