On the Fear of God and on the Fact that the Lord Receives Our Prayers in Every Place
June 2
(A Homily of Saint John Chrysostom)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
June 2
(A Homily of Saint John Chrysostom)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
In order that the virtuous life may not seem difficult to us, we must hold fast to the following: we must have the fear of God in our hearts, and we must pray more fervently, not being constrained by any particular place for prayer. This is evident from the following.
Saint Chrysostom says:
“If you have learned to sin, then impose upon yourself the fear of God, and you will overcome the habit of sin. Then it will not be difficult for you to conquer anger within yourself and forgive the one who has grieved you. Then it will not be difficult for you to pray to God and ask His mercy. Then you will speak no evil words against anyone. Then you will not envy your neighbor. Then you will learn to love everyone. Then it will be easy for you to avoid foul speech and slander, and you will not trouble others. Then you will not swear oaths. Then you will be merciful toward people.
But together with this, of course, show the deed itself. If you see a hungry man, feed him. If you see a poor man, have mercy on him. If you have an enemy, be reconciled with him. If you see someone living prosperously, do not envy him. If you see a beautiful woman, turn away from her. Restrain not only your mouth, but also your eye, your hearing, your feet, your hands, and all the members of your body.
And when you pray, do not be restricted by place, but lift up your mind and heart to God. Jeremiah was in a pit, and he entreated God. Daniel also was in a pit, only it was a lions’ den, and there too he called upon God. The three youths prayed in the fiery furnace, and they too were heard. Job sat upon the dung heap, yet there also he beheld the Lord. Moses was at the sea, and the Lord said to him: ‘Why do you cry to Me?’ The thief opened Paradise for himself from the Cross.
And you, whether you are on a journey, or at sea, or in the marketplace, or in the church, or in any other place, pray with a pure conscience, and God will hear you. For the earth and its farthest bounds are His, and His dominion is in every place.”
Thus, from the words of Saint Chrysostom we have taken two lessons.
The first is that, in order that the virtuous life may not seem difficult to us, we must possess the fear of God.
The second is that, in order for the work of our salvation to proceed successfully, we must pray to God more fervently, not being constrained by place, remembering that God’s dominion is present everywhere.
Let us take these two teachings of the universal teacher to heart, and let us order our lives according to them.
And let us conclude with the words of the same teacher:
“If,” he says, “we establish the fear of God in our hearts, if we remember that God stands everywhere present, hears all things, and sees all things — not only our deeds and words, but also our intentions and our thoughts — then in such a case we shall not dare to do, to say, or even to think anything unlawful.” Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
The first is that, in order that the virtuous life may not seem difficult to us, we must possess the fear of God.
The second is that, in order for the work of our salvation to proceed successfully, we must pray to God more fervently, not being constrained by place, remembering that God’s dominion is present everywhere.
Let us take these two teachings of the universal teacher to heart, and let us order our lives according to them.
And let us conclude with the words of the same teacher:
“If,” he says, “we establish the fear of God in our hearts, if we remember that God stands everywhere present, hears all things, and sees all things — not only our deeds and words, but also our intentions and our thoughts — then in such a case we shall not dare to do, to say, or even to think anything unlawful.” Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
