The Prayer of the Optina Elders

[vanshan]

This is a beautiful prayer, which a friend just shared with me. I hope you are blessed by it, as I have been, my friends.

The Prayer of the Optina Elders

Grant unto me, O Lord, that with peace of mind I may face all that this new day is to bring.

Grant unto me to dedicate myself completely to Thy holy will.

For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in all things.

Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, do Thou teach me to accept tranquilly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Thy holy will.

Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say. When things unforseen occur, let me not forget that all cometh down from Thee.

Teach me to behave sincerely and rationally toward every member of my family, that I may bring confusion and sorrow to none.

Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day and to bear my part in all its passing events.

Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love. Amen.

 

[Mary of Bethany]

Vanshan,


I *love* that prayer! I came across that prayer while I was still Anglican. I especially love this sentence:

Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, do Thou teach me to accept tranquilly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Thy holy will.

Thank you for posting it!

Mary

 

[vanshan]

That is my favorite line along with:

Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say. When things unforseen occur, let me not forget that all cometh down from Thee.

If we ever feel angry, annoyed, or frustrated about anything, it is a great reality check not remember that all things come down from God and we must show gratitude even in our sufferings. I'm trying to find a great poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, which actually expresses some of the same sentiment beautifully. I'll post it here when I find it.

Basil

 

[Momzilla]

I have a slightly different version of that prayer, and I love it. In fact, if I only have a little time to pray in the morning (which is most days), I'll say that instead of the trisagion prayers.