It has been about just over a year since I first wrote about the prayers of the Akathist Hymn to Almight God for Help in Times of Trouble. And that short little sentence above, that short little prayer is one of my favorite pivot prayers!
I’ve been revisiting it lately. Not because I’m in any particular “trouble”, but because I find the prayers within so beautiful. Just this week I came across this stanza which I found appropriate for where we are in the liturgical calendar and just speaking of the Publican and the Pharisee…
IKOS IV
O Lord, I have heard Thy most sweet voice, for Thou didst say call upon me in the day of thy tribulation, and I will rescue thee, and thou shalt glorify Me. And from the depths of my despair, I
dare to approach Thee with boldness, saying:
O Lord, my Lord, I have sinned against heaven and before Thee; accept me as Thou didst accept the prodigal son;
O Lord, my Lord, Who didst justify the publican rather than the Pharisee, enter not into judgment with Thy servant, for there is none living who is justified before Thee!
O Lord, my Lord, Instructor of wisdom, instruct me Thy servant;
O Lord, my Lord, Bestower of understanding, grant me understanding, that I may be able to escape the cunning wiles and wicked treachery of them that hate me!
O Lord, my Lord, Who lookest down upon the humble, behold also my tribulation and my difficulty, and reveal Thy mercy to me;
O Lord, my Lord, my Joy, grant that I may rejoice in Thy mercy!
Oh Lord, my Lord, my Joy, grant that I may rejoice in Thy mercy!
My prayer for today!
Blessed Thursday, friends! May you find peace and love and may you too, rejoice in His mercy.
Kindler of Joy! 