The priest is a man of prayer

The priest is not only a liturgical servant or pastoral worker; he is a man of prayer — a mediator between God and people — who must pray continually for both himself and the people, and do so seriously.

Key practical and spiritual points:

• The priest should have a strong spiritual memory: remember names of those in need and place them on the altar or mention them in the secret prayers and the Divine Liturgy (the sick, the departed, travelers…).

• Prayer must be from the depth of the heart — not a mere formal duty — especially prayers like the Midnight Office and the private prayers within the Liturgy.

• The priest should pray fervently for seemingly intractable matters because “everything is possible with God.” Biblical examples include Abraham and Moses.

• The priest should pray before every meeting and every sermon, during house and sick visits, and should not excuse himself from prayer because of being “busy.”

• The priest must not forget family prayers; he should pray with and for his wife and children so they feel he prays for them.

• Service prayers: pray for all branches of ministry (Sunday schools, youth meetings, subdeacons, library, club, social service, poor) — not only for material needs but for their spiritual life.

• Hymns and liturgical melodies are important: the Coptic (abtī) melodies and liturgical tunes have spiritual depth that affect hearts; avoid mixing that causes loss of spiritual impact.

• Watch the speed of prayers/readings: excessive speed from rote memorization reduces understanding and depth. Encourage “pray with understanding, with depth.”

• Encourage learning the Psalmody (tasbih): if a priest cannot chant the whole tasbih at once, he should learn it progressively over the week.

• When services are in translation (e.g., English), the melody should be adapted to the translation so the spiritual/musical effect is preserved rather than lost by awkward mixing.

• Liturgical prayers must respect the spirituality of the rite (what is said, how it’s said, and at what pace), so the faithful can receive it deeply.

• Practical conclusion: make prayer the priority of the priest’s ministry and cultivate sincere, serious, and deep prayer that impacts people.