In this deep spiritual sermon, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III reflects on the Psalm: “From the depths I cried to You, O Lord.” He explains that God hears the voice that comes from true depth — not merely from the lips but from the heart, emotion, faith, and sincere need.

Main idea
His Holiness emphasizes that true prayer is not in its length or number of words, but in its depth. God hears the voice that comes from the depth of love, faith, humility, trust, and need. The person who cries from his depths, like a drowning man calling for rescue, is heard more than one who repeats words without feeling.

Biblical examples
He cites many examples:

• Jonah the Prophet, who prayed from the belly of the whale — from the depths.

• The tax collector, who prayed one humble sentence but from a crushed heart.

• The right thief, who in his last moments spoke one deep word of faith, and Christ accepted him.

• Elijah, who prayed deeply and fire came down from heaven.

• Abraham, who offered his son with deep faith and obedience.

Spiritual dimension
Depth is the secret of every true relationship with God — in prayer, fasting, service, giving, and repentance.
Depth means that the word we read or pray comes from the heart, and that the Word of God enters our depths and bears fruit of change in our lives.

Depth in repentance
True repentance changes the course of life with no return to sin. The saints who repented deeply — like Moses the Black, Mary the Egyptian, and Augustine — never went back to their past but became saints. Repentance with tears, humility, and brokenness restores the soul to grace.

Depth in service
Deep service is not measured by activities but by how much it touches souls. Whoever serves with depth pours God’s love into hearts and draws people to Him with a warm and sincere word. This is what the apostles did, and what St. Paul did through his tireless and suffering-filled ministry.

Depth in love and faith
True love never fails because it comes from the heart’s depth, like David’s love for Jonathan. Deep faith stands firm in every trial, like Daniel in the lions’ den and the three young men in the furnace.

Conclusion
His Holiness calls believers to live every part of their lives with depth — in worship, in service, in repentance, and in love — for God looks not at abundance or appearances, but at what lies within. He concludes: “From the depth of my heart I have sought You; from the depths I cried to You, O Lord.”

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