The lecture affirms that the priest should be a man of prayer and an intercessor between God and people, and that liturgical prayers alone are not enough if they are not accompanied by personal prayer that comes from the heart dedicated to the people and the ministry.

Prayer as intercession and service

The priest must continually remember people in his prayers, whether in liturgical prayers (the Divine Liturgy, the Agpeya, the midnight prayer analysis) or in private prayers, and place the names of the needy on the altar and not forget the helpless and those who have no one.

Prayer, the Liturgy, and the mysteries

There are secret prayers in the Liturgy and rites that must not be neglected; prayer during the offering and at the end of the Liturgy has great spiritual weight and reminds us of the prayers of the prophets (Moses, Abraham, Samuel) and the prayer of the Lord Jesus for his disciples and even on the cross.

The priest’s prayer for others

The priest’s prayers include the whole people, ministry projects, travelers, and the sick. The priest should pray before visitation, during it and after it, and make the prayer inclusive of individual problems, confessions and special cases.

Prayer of healing and care for the sick

There is a difference between a superficial procedure and a true prayerful visit: laying on of hands, using oil, prayers of faith and healing and the feeling of the priest’s seriousness and care comfort the sick and give them spiritual strength and the presence of God.

The priest’s prayer for himself and his family

The priest is required to pray for himself and his family so that he is not a cause of stumbling for others and so that he may grow in grace and be an example. He must examine himself daily and ask forgiveness for his faults especially because he is a human who sins.

Spirituality versus ritualism

Prayer must not be merely a rite or melody or a quick routine, but a deep prayer with spirit and reverence. When the Divine Liturgy is prayed spiritually it has a deep internal effect on souls.

To have the Lord participate in the ministry

The priest asks that God participate in his work and not rely only on human wisdom or experience, but that the ministry be a divine work asking the Lord to join and guide the steps and decisions.

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