The Great O Antiphons

It is traditional to say one of these each day leading to Christmas. For more information have a look at this site.

December 17

O Wisdom, proceeding from the mouth of the Most High,
Pervading and permeating all creation, mightily ordering all things:
Come and teach us the way of prudence.

December 18

O Adonai and ruler of the house of Israel,
Who appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave him the Law on Sinai:
Come with an outstretched arm and redeem us.

December 19

O Root of Jesse, who stands for an ensign before the people,
Before whom kings are mute and to whom the nations will do homage:
Come quickly to deliver us.

December 20

O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel,
You open and no one can close, You close and no one can open:
Come and rescue the prisoners who are in darkness and in the shadow of death.

December 21

O Dayspring, splendor of light everlasting:
Come and enlighten those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.

December 22

O King of the nations,
The ruler they long for, the rornerstone uniting all people:
Come and save us all, whom You formed out of clay.

December 23

O Emmanuel, our King and our Lord,
The anointed for the nations and their Savior:
Come and save us, O Lord our God.

God bless (and Merry Christmas) - N

Long time no blog!

Greetings fellow Christians. I haven't posted for a while but my Bible studies continue, as does my battle against temptation. I ask you to join me in this prayer...

Please Lord give me the strength to defeat my temptation.
And give me the ability to be a better Christian.
I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ - Amen

God Bless - N

Daily Bible Readings from Catholic Online

Daily Bible Readings from Catholic Online

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St. John Cassian - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online

St. John Cassian - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online

Shared via AddThis

Saint Jude's day

This is the feast day of Saint Jude. Jude is the patron saint of 'lost causes'/desperate requests. It is good to ask for the most unlikely outcomes on this day.

I have asked the Lord for strength to resist temptation, and I earnestly hope that this is granted.

N

On the nature of temptation ...

From my reading of the Philokalia, and in the experience of my daily life I have discovered that there is an order of preference for temptation. If you are tempted towards on type of sin (say lust) and you manage to overcome it, even temporarily, the devil comes back at you with another temptation - such as anger. This is why it vital to ask God for guidance and support when you are battling sin.

Here is a way to ask ...

Dear Lord - please give me the strength to resist the temptations of the devil,
Give me the wisdom to see approaching temptation fro far off - and the fortitude to avoid it.
Thank you Lord - in the name of your son Jesus - amen.

God bless - N

A Prayer

Oh Lord I pray that You keep temptation from me.
Lord, if I am to be tempted toward lust, greed, unkind thoughts,
Give me the strength to resist.
Let me think on the sacrifice of Jesus when I am tempted to backslide.
I ask you this in the name of Your Son the Lord Jesus Christ,

Amen.

Backsliding, repenting, backsliding, repenting ..

How ever many times we backslide into sin, we must never give up the attempt to live without sin. We are not like Jesus - we are not sinless. We are always subject to temptation. The best we can say is ..

From this day forth, I shall not fall into temptation.

And more importantly, we should fall upon our knees and beg the Lord to lead us not into temptation, but to deliver us from evil.

Pray every day, that God will protect you and guide your steps. And then make your own effort to live without sinning. Your own effort will not be good enough, but it is still required that you attempt it - and that to the best of you abilities.

Dear Lord please guide my steps,
Give me the strength to resist temptation,
I ask this in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ.

Amen

And my God bless you - N

Another new start

Not exactly 'born again' today but a new start at being a better Christian. If you read this please pray for me.

Love - N

Praying and paying

I went to London today on business. Whilst I was in Westminster I decided to visit Westminster Abbey for a quick prayer. My bags were checked at the door for "sharp objects". This did not surprise me, but I was genuinely shocked to be asked for a ten pound entrance fee! I never expected to have to pay to enter the house of our Lord. I did not pay the fee, but turned round and exited the church foyer.

Instead I walked 50 yards to St Margaret's Church (pictured). This is a beautiful church in the grounds of Westminster Abbey. It dates back to 1533, and has the most exquisite stained glass windows. The alter is decorated with a triptych depicting the last supper.

There were quite a few tourists in the church, but I settled down in a pew at the back and said a short prayer. It is always a bit difficult to pray when tourists are wandering about a church. It makes me feel self conscious, as if I were doing something out-of-keeping rather than they. Nonetheless, it is always good to talk to the Lord - to find any kind of sanctuary in the bustling city.

God Bless - N