Prayer in the Life of a Priest

The lecture talks about the importance of prayer in the life of the priest and the priest’s role as intercessor and shepherd for the people before God.
It affirms that prayer is not a routine ritual but a living and continuous relationship with the Lord, which ought to be from the depth of the heart and with true spirituality.
The lecture highlights the priest’s responsibility to remember the people in his daily prayers and to write what may be forgotten on papers to present on the altar.
It explains that the church’s liturgical prayers are important but not sufficient by themselves if they are not accompanied by true reverence and contemplation.
It emphasizes that the priest prays for himself, for his family, for the ministry, and for all the individual and communal problems of the people.
It takes examples from the Holy Bible (Moses, Abraham, the prayers of Jesus) to show a model of intercession for the good of the people.
It explains how the priest deals with the sick: a genuine prayer, a laying on of hands, and anointing with oil with specific prayer words that make the sick person feel cared for.
It concludes by affirming daily self-examination and continually asking for forgiveness to ensure an honest spiritual life and fruitful ministry.

Spiritual and educational dimension (from a Coptic Orthodox faith perspective)

• Prayer as a means for God’s participation in the ministry: the ministry is not merely a human act but a work in which the Lord shares with the priest.

• Intercession and mediation: the priest is not merely an administrative official but a spiritual mediator who presents the people to God and asks for mercy and forgiveness for them.

• Piety and example: the priest’s personal life is required to be a spiritual example so that he will not be a stumbling block to the people.

• Reverence and pure intention: liturgical performance without heart loses its fruits; whereas living prayer conveys real grace and effect to souls.

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