Haitham Fakhouri

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Thy Will Be Done:

The Lord’s Prayer is so deep that it has the formula and the secrets on how to conduct our lives. After all, it was taught to us by the Lord Himself.

Books can be written on each phrase of this deep prayer. This is not an exaggeration. When we say Thy will be done, we learn the simple truth that God’s will is the best way for us to lead our lives. You may say how do I know God’s will?

If we depend on our will and wits and live according to the world standards, we often choose the wrong paths which often cost us. When we face situations where we are unclear about God’s will, we must seek it by prayer and spending time with the lord.

Dear friends, let us be practical and realistic. Who knows better about everything, us or God? God knows everything about everything. In addition, He loves us. After all, He is our Heavenly Father. He knows what is best for us. Therefore, willingly submit your will to God’s will. Give Him all your thoughts. Ask Him to bless your actions and plans and then, proceed according to His will.

The results are nothing short of a miraculous, influential life. The result is a better you. A more sanctified you. A happier, spiritually rich you. Thy will be done. When you pray the Lord’s Prayer, say it from the depth of your heart. Mean it. Live by it. May God bless you.

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Prayer:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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Means and Goals and Fasting:

We sometimes confuse spiritual means and goals. We focus on the means and we lose sight of the goal. Our ultimate goal is to grow in the knowledge of God. It is probably impossible to know God completely, because God is infinite.

If we fast or give up something for lent, our goal is to focus less on earthly matters, and focus more on spiritual, eternal life. Lent is a time of refocusing our minds. It is almost like going to a spiritual boot camp. It is an opportunity to grow closer to God and hence achieve our goal of knowing Him better.  So, fasting is really a way to reach our goal. We must not focus on what we give up or how we change our diet, but rather focus on the goal.

Fasting is a time for repentance. The first step to know God is to repent and confess our sins. God is a spirit. We cannot come to know God intellectually. We know God by the spirit. In order for the spirit to guide us to know God, we must be cleansed from our sins. What is the point of fasting if we still hold grudges, curse, and hate other people? The goal will never be achieved.

Dear friends, fasting is a time of spiritual blessings. If we understand how to truly fast, we can reap many spiritual rewards. It is a time for transformation to grow to be Christlike. It is allowing the spirit to overcome the flesh.

If you treat it like any other season, you will miss many spiritual benefits. If you give yourselves excuses, change will not happen. Take advantage of this Holy time because it can make the rest of the year blessed.    May God bless you.

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Prayer Before Meals:

That the poor shall eat and be satisfied and they who seek the Lord shall praise him; their hearts shall live to the ages of ages. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages, Amen. Lord have mercy (3X). Christ our God bless the food and drink of your servants, for you are holy always, now and forever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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Pick and Choose: Many of us care about our faith. We may go to Church every Sunday. We are generally good people.  However, we like to pick and choose which biblical commandments we want to follow and which we don’t.

Unfortunately, this half-hearted attitude is not acceptable to the Lord. God wants all of our hearts. If we are willing to follow all commandments but have not yet succeeded because of weakness, God would be happy. As long as we are seriously trying, God shall bless our efforts.

Dear friends, the first greatest commandment is to love God with ALL your heart. He is at the center. He is a priority. Therefore, try to do your best to apply all the Lord’s commandments to your life. Those who truly love God, take all, not just part of his commandments seriously.     May God bless you.

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Prayer of Children:

Lord Jesus Christ, you received the children who came to you, receive also from the lips of your child this evening prayer. Shelter me under the protection of your wings that I may lie down in peace and sleep. Awaken me in due time that I may glorify you, for you alone are good and love all people.

Prayer of Adults:

Lord our God, whatever sins I have committed this day, in word deed, or thought, forgive me, for you are good and love all people. Grant me a peaceful and undisturbed sleep. Protect me from every abuse and plot of the evil one. Raise me up in due time that I may glorify you, for you are blessed, together with your only begotten Son, and your all holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

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On Fasting: “Do not say to me that I fasted for so many days, that I did not want this or that, that I did not drink wine, that I endured want; but show me if you from an angry man have become gentle, if you from a cruel man have become benevolent. If you are filled with anger, why oppress your flesh? If hatred and avarice are within you, of what benefit is it that you drink water? Do no show forth a useless fast: for fasting alone does not ascend to heaven.” –St. John Chrysostom

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Moving Mountains

“Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

Faith can move mountains. Logically, it is impossible to move a mountain. But not with faith. How can a mountain so huge and so high be moved? Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Dear friends, you think your problem is so hard for God to solve? Think again! You need to have faith.

Ask God to increase your faith. Nothing is impossible to almighty God. Trust in Him. A mountain in Egypt was moved by the prayer of St. Simon the Tanner in the 10th century. If God moved a real mountain in Egypt, can’t He move a mountain in your life?

May God bless you.

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 “…If it is the Lord’s will, we will do this or that.” (James 4:15)

We plan things and speak in certainty as if we have control of the future. We speak of the future as if we are immortal. We often forget that life is fragile and the unexpected can happen anytime without warning.

Dear friends, always say God willing, when you plan to do this or that. Life is unpredictable. We hope things will go as planned, but there is never a guarantee.

St. James wrote, “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know that will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)

May God bless you.

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Christ our God, at all times and in every hour, you are worshipped and glorified in heaven and on earth. Long in patience, great in mercy and compassion, you love the righteous and show mercy to the sinners. You call all to salvation through the promise of good things to come. Lord, receive my prayer at the present time. Direct my life according to your commandments. Sanctify my soul. Purify my body. Set my mind aright. Cleanse my thoughts and deliver me from all sorrow, evil and distress. Surround me with your holy angels that, guarded and guided by you, we may arrive at the unity of faith and the understanding of your ineffable glory. For you are blessed to the ages of ages.

Amen.

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