From the very beginning of the church's existence, it has offered prayers for repose and called upon all believers to pray. Prayer assistance is especially important in the first forty days after a person's death, which, of course, does not mean that prayers are unnecessary or useless in the following time.
We must pray! But how?
You will say: I know how to do it. There are so many bows to make, so many candles to light, so many memorial services to give, so many notes to send to so many churches and monasteries… Unfortunately, these actions alone are not enough if they are not accompanied by sincere inner effort.
If we really want to help our deceased relatives, what is required of us? Imagine for a second that if we ourselves have nothing, how can we help someone in need? After all, we need to tear something away from ourselves at this moment, to share what we have. And if we ourselves do not have enough of this, then how can we share?
An example from the Gospel. Jairus' daughter is dying. He asks Christ to come. Christ walks in the crowd, and they are constantly pushing him. And suddenly Christ stops abruptly and says: “Who touched me?” The disciples answer him: “Teacher, they are constantly pushing you.” He again: “No. Who touched me?”
And a sick woman touched him. She touched him with faith and reverence. Believing that if she touched him, she would be healed.
When the disciples said that everyone was touching him, Christ said, “I felt power go out of me.” That is, power leave him. Divine power responded to faith by pouring out of him, demonstrating that a miracle is not an automatic act, but a profound action that responds to sincerity.
We all think that a miracle can be created instantly. Once and done! Nothing like that.
In order for a prayer to be heard, it turns out, a feat is needed. Moreover, a feat often associated with enormous human labor. Just as Christ felt the power that came out of him. A miracle is not an easy thing.
Look what we find in the lives of the saints: an ascetic prayed all night for a certain man. He says he literally snatched him from the lion's mouth.
We have completely forgotten that prayer, in which, as the holy fathers write, no effort is felt, neither bodily, nor mental, nor spiritual, may be less effective. After all, sincere prayer is always connected with inner work, which can manifest itself in different ways, but always touches the mind and heart.
What do we do most often in churches? We order notes. The priest has so many of these notes… When does he have to pray for each person?
If a person does not pray for the one about whom he or she is submitting a note, if he or she does not sigh for him or her, then his or her personal contribution to helping the deceased will be insignificant. Although the collective prayer of the Church is powerful, the personal work of a relative deepens its effect and is especially valuable to God.
God needs a soul, not a piece of paper or a note.
Anyone who truly wants to help must take on at least a little work. At least a small feat.
A priest I know had a daughter who broke her leg. He vowed not to drink a single sip of wine until his daughter recovered. And he did.
Man, take and give a piece of your soul. Give at least a piece of your work, pinch off at least a little from yourself. Then prayer will be effective.
We must try to do everything necessary to make the soul of the deceased person rest. Be a Christian for at least forty days in order to help your deceased relative. After all, while I myself am drowning, I cannot help anyone. In order to help him, I must heal myself at least a little.
Therefore, the degree of our prayerful help to the deceased (and the living too) depends on the degree of purification of our soul. Try to refrain from condemnation, anger, wrath, drunkenness, gluttony…
Be a Christian for at least forty days. Well, and beyond that, if possible, of course.
That is, only from the heart of the contrite and humble does God accept sacrifices, gifts, and remembrances. The Lord warns: “Woe to you, hypocrites,” if you limit yourself to “tithes,” that is, to external deeds alone, and neglect the purification of your soul.
The power of prayer for the deceased lies in the degree of what we do with ourselves. The degree of our help depends on our spiritual state.
All this will be a priceless gift to the deceased.
Джерело: ukr.media
