#from all evil O Lord deliver us

[art-from-within]

There’s a reddit post on r/eldenringdiscussions called “post-DLC opinion of Mohg” or smthing it talks about how Mohg would have probably been worshipped in the shadow lands and it made me hella sad

The hornsent would have had their horny heads blown off at the mere presence of Mohg because of how unfathomably based he was by their own metrics. fucking LOOK AT HIM BRO. Like, actually let us look at him. Even without the hornsent/golden order "ooh omen divine/evil" propaganda, he alone stands majestic. You could have had no context before entering mohgwyn palace and still come out of that fight thinking "Okay he was definitely a big deal".

A hornsent stands beneath him; He is tall, aloft, his wings like a roof over their world. He delivers, from every angle, the ambience of a divine lord. His drip is immaculate, his horn alignment is omen goals, his bloodboon generous with strength. He is THAT o-MAN. Mf emerges out of a pool of his own blood, blinged out, and slays tarnished trespasser with pitchfork. +100000000 aura. He walks, struts, fights like a born king/lord/god. He is proud too, reveling in the fire of his noble blood. The formless mother of truth herself plays as his godly patron; He is EVERYTHING that would have had that hornsent noble npc frothing from his mouth

I am convinced that, in the shadow lands, he would have been worshipped as a figure of divinity. An irrefutable proof of their own blessed nature. People would have kissed the very grounds he walked on, maybe even make headdresses mimicking the heart shape of his horns. He would have had it ALL, and his mother took that from him. And his father. And the world they brought after. It is tragic man.

[ailelie]

GLORIA:  Everyone. Everyone, can I have your attention? I know this is a strange day for you, I appreciate you showing up at all… So… On my home planet there’s this thing called Top Ramen. It’s dried noodles and a packet of flavoring. It’s not very good for you but it’s food. And you can get them for 50 cents each. That’s not a lot where I’m from. I never ate it all that much myself, but it was always nice knowing it was there. You knew you were never going to starve because of a cheap package of dried noodles always waiting for you at any store. It’s nice.

What a lot of people don’t know is that the reason  why there’s dirt cheap noodles at any store, is because one day, a long time ago, two nuclear bombs  were detonated on an island called Japan. Thousands of people died in an instant, and in the aftermath thousands more were going to die of sickness and starvation. But one man had an idea to send bricks of dried noodles with a packet of flavoring to anyone who was hungry. They knew they weren’t going to starve. On the island of Jamaica they cook chicken in a way that doesn’t make any smoke. They do that because a long time ago, they were slaves, and the smoke would’ve alerted slavers and they  would then be running for their lives. Zebulon, why do Jewish people eat unleavened bread?

ZEBULON: Because they too were slaves. When word came from Moses that it was time to flee captivity in the night, they had no time to wait for their bread to rise. So to this day, the flat bread is a reminder of that flight from their oppressor.

GLORIA: For me, when I cook with corn, beans, and squash, it’s called the tres hermanas. The same way my ancestors cooked thousands of years ago. My ancestors who were nearly wiped out by foreign invaders… Show me your plate, and I’ll tell you a sad, sad story. Your sad story begins today. The day you had to turn to the spirits of your ancestors to keep you alive while you were just trying to do the right thing, and leave a better life for your children. I can’t make you eat this food. It’s your story, not mine. So Zebulon’s going to say a prayer, and then you’re all going to make a choice. It’s up to you.

ZEBULON: Bless us, O Lord. Bless our food and our drink. Since you redeemed us so dearly and delivered us from evil, as you gave us a share in this food so  may you give us a share in eternal life.

[nottskyler]

Timely warning before voting day in Come Follow Me:

20 But behold, it shall come to pass that they shall be driven and scattered by the Gentiles; and after they have been driven and scattered by the Gentiles, behold, then will the Lord remember the covenant which he made unto Abraham and unto all the house of Israel.

21 And also the Lord will remember the prayers of the righteous, which have been put up unto him for them.

22 And then, O ye Gentiles, how can ye stand before the power of God, except ye shall repent and turn from your evil ways?

23 Know ye not that ye are in the hands of God? Know ye not that he hath all power, and at his great command the earth shall be rolled together as a scroll?

24 Therefore, repent ye, and humble yourselves before him, lest he shall come out in justice against you—lest a remnant of the seed of Jacob shall go forth among you as a lion, and tear you in pieces, and there is none to deliver.

Mormon 5:20-24

This is directly to us by a prophet who saw our day. This is so obviously telling people of the United States of America to repent or be destroyed. Choose this day whom ye will serve, the king men or liberty.

Will we continue in hatred and the worshipping of wealth and those who have it? Will we ignore the homeless and the hungry because they should’ve picked a better job field? Will we allow hundreds to thousands die by allowing people who only care about money be the ones safeguarding employees and consumers? Will we continue to enforce nebulous religious ideals to the detriment of nonbelievers and believers who just wanted to grow their family?

Will we stop going down a path that has terrible, bitter fruit by learning from our mistakes and pick a new path to see if its fruit is good? Will we repent of our false traditions and open our hearts to new ones that bring us closer to the pure love of Christ? Will we welcome in a new era of peace and righteousness?

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Giving to the Needy (Deuteronomy 15:7–11)

1 “Be careful not to perform your acts of charity before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 So when you give to the needy, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will Himself reward you openly.

The Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1–4)

5 And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you openly.

7 And when you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.

9 So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.

10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

12 And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’

14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

Proper Fasting

16 When you fast, do not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Treasures in Heaven (Luke 12:32–34)

19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Lamp of the Body (Luke 11:33–36)

22 The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Do Not Worry (Luke 12:22–31)

25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28 And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about the things of itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. — Matthew 6 | Majority Standard Bible (MSB) The Majority Standard Bible is in the public domain Cross References: Exodus 22:2; Exodus 34:7; Ruth 1:6; Ruth 3:3; 2 Samuel 7:26; 2 Samuel 12:20; 1 Kings 3:13; 1 Kings 10:4; 1 Kings 18:21; 1 Kings 18:26; 2 Kings 4:33; 2 Kings 17:41; 1 Chronicles 29:11; 2 Chronicles 9:4; Job 24:16; Job 35:11; Job 38:41; Psalm 22:28; Psalm 32:1; Psalm 38:9; Psalm 39:5; Psalm 90:6; Psalm 103:20; Psalm 111:5; Psalm 112:3; Proverbs 20:6; Proverbs 25:22; Proverbs 30:8; Ecclesiastes 5:2; Isaiah 5:20; Isaiah 26:20; Isaiah 58:5; Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 45:5; Hosea 14:5; Matthew 3:2; Matthew 5:7; Matthew 5:15; Matthew 7:2; Matthew 8:26; Matthew 10:19; Matthew 18:35; Matthew 20:15; Matthew 23:5; Matthew 23:9; Mark 7:22; Mark 10:21; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:24; Luke 10:41; Luke 12:11; Luke 12:22; Luke 12:33-34; Luke 18:11; Acts 3:12; Philippians 4:6; Philippians 4:19; 1 Peter 5:7

What does Matthew chapter 6 mean?

Key Events in Matthew 6

1. Giving to the Needy 5. The Lord's Prayer 16. Proper Fasting 19. Store up Treasures in Heaven 25. Do Not Worry 33. but seek God's kingdom.

[walkswithmyfather]

Psalm 34. Praise for Deliverance from Trouble

“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together! I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack! The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken. Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned. The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.”

One of my favourite psalms (actually, all the Psalms are awesome). I have quoted verses from psalm 34 so many times. Next year I celebrate 40 years of knowing Jesus as my Lord, Savior and Friend. And what a Friend He has been! Through countless sorrows, crises and dramas, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit stood with me and helped me get through it all. I owe them a debt of gratitude. The least I can do is tell others of their kindness. Praise the Lord! 🙌

Friend, if you don't know Jesus yet, Christmas is the perfect time to meet Him. I invite you "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!" Because He is so good. May your day be blessed, in Jesus' name. Amen! 🙏🕊️🙌

[orthodoxadventure]

Psalm 40 (NKJV)

I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord.

Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered.

Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.”

I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know. I have not hidden Your righteousness within my heart; I have declared Your faithfulness and Your salvation; I have not concealed Your lovingkindness and Your truth From the great assembly.

Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord; Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me. For innumerable evils have surrounded me; My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up; They are more than the hairs of my head; Therefore my heart fails me.

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me; O Lord, make haste to help me! Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion Who seek to destroy my life; Let them be driven backward and brought to dishonor Who wish me evil. Let them be confounded because of their shame, Who say to me, “Aha, aha!”

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; Let such as love Your salvation say continually, “The Lord be magnified!” But I am poor and needy; Yet the Lord thinks upon me. You are my help and my deliverer; Do not delay, O my God.

[prehistoricpatristics]

Orthodox Christian Prayer Rules

FIRST DISCLAIMER: This is aimed at inquirers, or dvoverie practitioners who are not associated with a Church or spiritual father. If you are associated with a church and have a spiritual father, go to them, not me. There are 3 major components to a prayer rule in Eastern Orthodoxy: Proper Measure, Consistency, and Quality.

Proper Measure: a proper measure allows a person to grow both spiritually and earthly, you shouldn't over do your prayer rule, but you shouldn't be underdoing it either. Do not take on a long rule that you cannot reasonably achieve.

Consistency: you should always be consistent in prayer as this is the point of a prayer rule, always aim to 'pray without ceasing' (1 Thess. 5:17).

Quality: A quality prayer rule is always better than quantity. The quality of prayer is determined by the attention of the mind, and the depth of repentance in the heart. If prayer becomes a chore, or simply you reading from a page, you do not have a quality prayer rule.

Outline for Morning Prayer:

(this layout is mimicked for the evening prayers, the difference mainly comes from the difference in psalms)

NOTE: if you are dual faith, and wish to include prayers to other entities, I would insert them either before or after the Prayers to Saints

Introductory Prayers

One of the 6 morning Psalms:

Intercessions for the living and dead

Psalm 51

Doxology

Personal Dialogue with God

Prayers to Saints

Jesus Prayer

Dismissal Prayer

Introductory Prayers Suggestions

Begin with: 'In the name of the Father Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen Glory to you our God , Glory be to Thee!'

Choose any number of:

Prayer to Holy Spirit Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, present in all places and filling all things, Treasury of Goodness and Giver of life: come and abide in us. Cleanse us from every stain of sin and save our souls, O Gracious Lord.

Trisagion Prayer

Holy God. Holy Mighty. Holy Immortal Have mercy on us.(3)

Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen

All Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for the glory of Your Name.

Lord, have mercy.(3)

Glory to the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen

Lord's 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 Yours is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, both now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Morning Psalms

Psalm 3

LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people.

Psalm 63

O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure! For Your arrows pierce me deeply, And Your hand presses me down.

There is no soundness in my flesh Because of Your anger, Nor any health in my bones Because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; Like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering Because of my foolishness.

I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are full of inflammation, And there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of my heart.

Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You. My heart pants, my strength fails me; As for the light of my eyes, it also has gone from me.

My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, And my relatives stand afar off. Those also who seek my life lay snares for me; Those who seek my hurt speak of destruction, And plan deception all the day long.

But I, like a deaf man, do not hear; And I am like a mute who does not open his mouth. Thus I am like a man who does not hear, And in whose mouth is no response.

For in You, O LORD, I hope; You will hear, O Lord my God. For I said, “Hear me, lest they rejoice over me, Lest, when my foot slips, they exalt themselves against me.”

For I am ready to fall, And my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare my iniquity; I will be in anguish over my sin. But my enemies are vigorous, and they are strong; And those who hate me wrongfully have multiplied. Those also who render evil for good, They are my adversaries, because I follow what is good.

Do not forsake me, O LORD; O my God, be not far from me! Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!

Psalm 63

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.

When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches. Because You have been my help, Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me.

But those who seek my life, to destroy it, Shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword; They shall be a portion for jackals.

But the king shall rejoice in God; Everyone who swears by Him shall glory; But the mouth of those who speak lies shall be stopped.

Psalm 88

1 O LORD, God of my salvation, I have cried out day and night before You. 2 Let my prayer come before You; Incline Your ear to my cry.

For my soul is full of troubles, And my life draws near to the grave. I am counted with those who go down to the pit; I am like a man who has no strength, Adrift among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You remember no more, And who are cut off from Your hand.

You have laid me in the lowest pit, In darkness, in the depths. Your wrath lies heavy upon me, And You have afflicted me with all Your waves. Selah You have put away my acquaintances far from me; You have made me an abomination to them; I am shut up, and I cannot get out; My eye wastes away because of affliction.

LORD, I have called daily upon You; I have stretched out my hands to You. Will You work wonders for the dead? Shall the dead arise and praise You? Selah Shall Your lovingkindness be declared in the grave? Or Your faithfulness in the place of destruction? Shall Your wonders be known in the dark? And Your righteousness in the land of forgetfulness?

But to You I have cried out, O LORD, And in the morning my prayer comes before You. LORD, why do You cast off my soul? Why do You hide Your face from me? I have been afflicted and ready to die from my youth; I suffer Your terrors; I am distraught. Your fierce wrath has gone over me; Your terrors have cut me off. They came around me all day long like water; They engulfed me altogether. Loved one and friend You have put far from me, And my acquaintances into darkness.

Friday - Psalm 103 Psalm of David.

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. 9 He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. 10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12 As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. 14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. 17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children’s children, 18 To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them. 19 The LORD has established His throne in heaven, And His kingdom rules over all. 20 Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. 21 Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. 22 Bless the LORD, all His works, In all places of His dominion.

Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Psalm 143

Hear my prayer, O LORD, Give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, And in Your righteousness. Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous. For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, Like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is distressed. I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah Answer me speedily, O LORD; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit. Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; In You I take shelter. Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. In Your mercy cut off my enemies, And destroy all those who afflict my soul; For I am Your servant.

Intercessions for the living and dead (There are many to choose from, this is my favourite)

Lord, we pray for peace in the world. For all the faithful and Orthodox Christians. For our Archbishop (name), our Bishop (name), and all our brothers and sisters in Christ. (If you are part of a church) For our parents, our brothers and sisters, our children, our relatives and friends, and all people. For those who hate us and those who love us. For those who work with us and those who serve us. For those who have asked us, unworthy as we are, to pray for them. For travelers by land, sea and air. For prisoners and captives. For those who are hungry, those who are suffering, and those who are sick. For those departed from this life in the hope of the resurrection. Through the prayers of our holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Psalm 50

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart –– these, O God, You will not despise, Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Doxology

Glory to God, Who has shown us the Light!

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men!

We praise You! We bless You! We worship You! We glorify You and give thanks to You for Your great glory! O Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty! O Lord, the Only-Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit! O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us! You, Who take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer! You, Who sit on the right hand of God the Father, have mercy on us! For You alone are holy, and You alone are Lord. You alone, O Lord Jesus Christ, are most high in the glory of God the Father! Amen!

I will give thanks to You every day and praise Your Name forever and ever. Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation! I said, "Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my Soul, for I have sinned against You!" Lord, I flee to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. For with You is the fountain of Life, and In Your light shall we see light. Continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You. Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us this day without sin. Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your Name for ever. Amen.

Let Your mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have set our hope on You. Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes. Blessed are You, O Master; make me to understand Your commandments. Blessed are You, O Holy One; enlighten me with Your precepts. Your mercy endures for ever, O Lord! Do not despise the works of Your hands! To You belongs worship, to You belongs praise, to You belongs glory: to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Personal Dialogue with God

Prayers to Saints

(Research prayers and Akathists to saints that you venerate)

Jesus Prayer

'Lord Jesus Christ, Have mercy on me, a sinner' x10, 33, 100, or 300

Dismissal Prayer

Most holy Theotokos, save us! More honorable than the cherubim and more glorious beyond compare than the seraphim! Without corruption you gave birth to God the Word. True Theotokos, we magnify you! Glory to You, O Christ, our God and our hope, glory to You! Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Through the prayers of our holy fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.

Outline for Evening Prayer:

Introductory Prayers

One of the 6 evening Psalms:

Intercessions for the living and dead

Psalm 51

Doxology

Personal Dialogue with God

Prayers to Saints

Jesus Prayer

Dismissal Prayer

Introductory Prayers Suggestions (same as morning prayers, use the same or different ones)

Evening Psalms

Psalm 103 (104)

Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great! You are clothed with honor and majesty, and cover Yourself with light as with a garment. You have stretched out the heavens like a tent and have laid the beams of Your chambers on the waters. You make the clouds Your chariot and ride on the wings of the wind. You make the winds Your messengers, and fire and flame Your ministers. You have set the earth on its foundations so that it should never be shaken. You have covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. At Your rebuke they fled; at the sound of Your thunder they took flight. The mountains rose, the valleys sank down to the place which You appointed for them. You set a bound which they should not pass so that they might not again cover the earth. You make springs gush forth in the valleys;

they flow between the hills, they give drink to every beast of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. By them the birds of the air have their habitation; they sing among the branches. From Your lofty abode You water the mountains; the earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your work. You have caused the grass to grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate, that they may bring forth food from the earth, and wine to gladden their heart, oil to make their faces shine and bread to strengthen their hearts. The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon which He planted. In them the birds build their nests; the stork has her home in the fir trees. The high mountains are for the wild goats; the rocks are a refuge for the badgers. You have made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows its time for setting. You have made darkness, and it is night, when all the beasts of the forest creep forth. The young lions roar for their prey, seeking their food from God. When the sun rises, they gather together and lie down in their dens. People go forth to their work and to their labors until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom have You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. Yonder is the sea, great and wide, which teems with things innumerable, living things both small and great. There go the ships,

and Leviathan which You formed to sport in it. These all look to You to give them their food in due season. When You give to them they gather it up; when You open Your hand they are filled with good things. When You hide Your face they are dismayed; when You take away their breath they die and return to their dust. When You send forth Your Spirit they are created; and You renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the Lord endure forever, may the Lord rejoice in His works, who looks on the earth and it trembles, who touches the mountains and they smoke. I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the Lord. Let sinners be consumed from the earth and let the wicked be no more. Bless the Lord, O my soul! Praise the Lord!

Psalm 140 (141)

Lord I Call Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hearken unto me. Hearken unto me, O Lord. Lord, I have cried unto Thee, hearken unto me; attend to the voice of my supplication, when I cry unto Thee. Hearken unto me, O Lord.

Let my prayer be set forth as incense before Thee, the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Hearken unto me, O Lord.             Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men who work iniquity; and do not let me eat of their delicacies. Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him reprove me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked. Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the cliff, and they hear my words, for they are sweet. Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave, as when one plows and breaks up the earth. But my eyes are upon You, O GOD the Lord; in You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares which they have laid for me, and from the traps of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I escape safely.

Intercessions for the living and dead (same as morning)

Psalm 50 (same as morning)

Doxology (same as morning)

Personal Dialogue with God

Prayers to Saints

(Research prayers and Akathists to saints that you venerate)

Jesus Prayer

'Lord Jesus Christ, Have mercy on me, a sinner' x10, 33, 100, or 300

Dismissal Prayer (same as morning)

Prayers before and after Meals

Before Meals In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. The Lord’s 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. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy. (3)

Christ our God, bless the food and drink of Your servants, for You are holy always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen. After Meals We thank You, Christ our God, that You have satisfied us with Your earthly blessings. Deprive us not of Your heavenly kingdom. As You came among Your disciples after the resurrection, O Savior, and gave them peace, come also among us, grant us peace and save us. Amen. Glory to You, Lord and King! You have gladdened our hearts through Your earthly gifts. Fill us also with the gift of Your Holy Spirit, that we may abound in every good work to the glory of Your name. Amen. We thank You, Lord, Giver of all good things, for these Your gifts and all Your mercies, and we bless Your holy name forever. Amen.

Ways to customise prayers before and after meals for dual faith practitioners

You can personalise these by invoking additional spirits/deities in the same prayers, such as:

'Christ our God, Hestia the Blessed of the hearth, bless the food and drink of Your servants, for You are holy always, now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.'

This is an example for a dual-faith practitioner combining Hellenic Polytheism and Orthodox Christianity, but this could be altered for any other spirit to be invoked.

[apenitentialprayer]

Liturgical Elements: The Embolism

In the liturgical rubrics of the Mass, the "embolism" refers to a short prayer spoken out loud by the priest after the congregation has collectively recited the Lord's Prayer. According to Nicholas Ayo (The Lord's Prayer: A Survey Theological and Literary, page 196), "the embolism functions like a marginal gloss, an explanation of the last line of the Pater, and an unfolding of its many implications." In reformed liturgy of the Roman Church, the English translation of the embolism is as follows:

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil; graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of Your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

In the Tridentine form of the Roman Mass, a longer embolism was recited:

Deliver us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils past, present, and to come; and by the intercession of the Blessed and glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, together with Thy blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and Andrew, and all the saints, mercifully grant peace in our days, that sustained by help of Thy mercy we may be always free from sin and safe from all disturbance. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord, who lives and reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

The Ambrosian Rite, being another Latin rite, has an embolism that is unsurprisingly similar to the Tridentine one:

Deliver us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils past, present, and to come; and at the intercession for us of Blessed Mary who brought forth our God and Lord, Jesus Christ; and of Thy holy Apostles Peter and Paul and Andrew, and of blessed Ambrose Thy confessor and bishop, together with all Thy saints, favorably give peace in our days, that assisted by the help of Thy mercy we may be both delivered from sin and safe from all turmoil. Fulfill this by Him with whom Thou livest blessed and reignest God, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, for ever and ever.

The embolism was not only an element of Roman liturgies, either. Take, for example, this embolism used by the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church (notice how the doxology that follows the modern Roman embolism is instead integrated into this one):

Merciful Lord, lover of all mankind, do not let us be overcome by temptation, but deliver us from the rebellious evil one and his perverse and evil ways. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory belong to You and Your Only Son and Your Holy Spirit, now and always and forever.

Here is the embolism of the Syro-Malabar Church, reflecting the Eastern Syriac rather than Western Syriac tradition:

Lord, God Almighty! Fullness of all goodness! Our Merciful Father! We entreat You for Your mercy. Do not lead us into temptation. Deliver us from the evil one and his hosts. For Yours is the kingdom, the might, the power, and the dominion in heaven and earth, now, always, and forever.

In the Greek liturgies, the embolism only survives in the Liturgy of Saint James, which has the following:

Lord, lead us not into temptation, O Lord of hosts! For Thou dost know our frailty; but deliver us from the wicked one, from all his works, from all his assaults and craftiness; through Thy Holy Name, which we call upon to guard us in our loneliness.

On a final note, Fr. Frederick Holweck, the author of the Catholic Encyclopedia's article on the embolism, thought that the Mozarabic embolism in particular was "very beautiful." In addition to being said after the Our Father at Mass, the following prayer was also said after the Our Father in the Mozarabic Church's Morning and Evening prayers:

Delivered from all evil, strengthened forever in good, may we be worthy to serve Thee, our God and Lord: and put an end, O Lord, to our sins; grant joy to them that are afflicted; bestow redemption upon the captives, health upon the sick, and repose to the departed. Grant peace and safety in all our days, shatter the audacity of our enemies, and hearken, O God, to all the prayers of Thy servants, all faithful Christians, upon this day and at all times. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, ever through all the ages of ages.

[traumacatholic]

Hi, please pray for me. A lot has been going on in my family. Parents divorced, boyfriend has no job, my car just went down AGAIN, and I’ve been having very bad panic attacks that are making me believe I am sick. Please pray for the healing of my body, mind, and my family— as well as our finances, so that we can do the things we need/want to do.

I'm so sorry to hear that you and your family have been struggling so much. I will keep you all in my prayers. And I will post some prayers that you may find helpful under a readmore. You can always edit them slightly if you wish to use them to pray for other people

O my beloved Queen, my hope, O Mother of God, protector of orphans and protector of those who are hurt, the savior of those who perish and the consolation of all those who are in distress, thou seest my misery, thou seest my sorrow and my loneliness. Help me—I am powerless; give me strength. Thou knowest what I suffer, thou knowest my grief: Lend me thy hand, for who else can be my hope but thee, my protector and my intercessor before God? I have sinned before thee and before all people. Be my Mother, my consoler, my helper. Protect me and save me, chase grief away from me, chase my lowness of heart and my despondency. Help me, O Mother of my God!

--

Thee alone I follow, Lord Jesus, Who heals my wounds. For what shall separate me from the love of God, which is in Thee? Shall tribulation, or distress, or famine? I am held fast as though by nails, and fettered by the bonds of charity. Remove from me, O Lord Jesus, with Thy potent sword, the corruption of my sins. Secure me in the bonds of Thy love; cut away what is corrupt in me. Come quickly and make an end of my many, my hidden and secret afflictions. Open the wound lest the evil humor spread. With Thy new washing, cleanse in me all that is stained. Hear me, you earthly men, who in your sins bring forth drunken thoughts: I have found a Physician. He dwells in Heaven and distributes His healing on earth. He alone can heal my pains Who Himself has none. He alone Who knows what is hidden can take away the grief of my heart, the fear of my soul: Jesus Christ. Christ is grace! Christ is life! Christ is Resurrection! Amen.

--

O Master, Lord my God, in Whose hands is my destiny: Help me according to Thy mercy, and leave me not to perish in my transgressions, nor allow me to follow them who place desires of the flesh over those of the spirit. I am Thy creation; disdain not the work of Thy hands. Turn not away; be compassionate and humiliate me not, neither scorn me, O Lord, as I am weak. I have fled unto Thee as my Protector and God. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against Thee. Save me for Thy mercy's sake, for I have cleaved unto Thee from my youth; let me who seeks Thee not be put to shame by being rejected by Thee for mine unclean actions, unseemly thoughts, and unprofitable remembrances. Drive away from me every filthy thing and excess of evil. For Thou alone art holy, alone mighty, and alone immortal, in all things having unexcelled might, which, through Thee, is given to all that strive against the devil and the might of his armies. For unto Thee is due all glory, honor and worship: To the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

--

Almighty God, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, come to my help and deliver me from this difficulty that besets me. I believe Lord, that all trials of life are under Your care and that all things work for the good of those who love You. Take away from me fear, anxiety and distress. Help me to face and endure my difficulty with faith, courage and wisdom.

Grant that this trial may bring me closer to You for You are my rock and refuge, my comfort and hope, my delight and joy. I trust in Your love and compassion. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

--

Teach me Lord, to dispose my deeds so that they will serve in glorifying Your Holy Name. Take pity, O Lord, on all Christians. Hear the desires of all who cry out to You, and deliver them from evil. Save Your servants [insert name/s]. Send them comfort, consolation in sorrow, and Your holy mercy. Lord, I especially pray for those who have in anyway insulted, abused and grieved me. Do not punish them for the sake of me, a sinner; but pour Your mercy upon them.

Be merciful Lord, to those who have entrusted me, an unworthy sinner to pray for them. Be merciful Lord, to all who ask Your help. Lord, make this day a day of Your mercy; give to each according to their petition. Be the Shepherd of the lost, the Guide of Light of unbelievers, the Teacher of the unwise, the Healer of the sick, the Comforter of the dying, and lead us all to the desired end: to You, our refuge and blessed repose. Amen

[yes-i-write-fanfiction]

Snow White and the 7 minibots

Considering the naming conventions used by cybertronians, there had to have been at least one bot with the designation Snow White. This made me wonder how you'd translate the fairy tale into cybertronian terms.

"Optics the color of rubies, wings black as onyx, armor white as snow."

Snow White is a seeker prince living in Vos. Instead of an evil queen its an evil wing-lord, wishing to remain the most beautiful seeker in all of Vos. There's still a magic mirror, except now it's an old artifact of Unicron.

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fairest of them all?"

“Thou, O Lord, art the fairest in the land.”

Then, when ultimately one day responds with Snow White's name, the wing-lord of course goes mad with jealousy and employs a mercenary to take Snow White out to the wilderness and kill him. He also tells the mercenary to bring back Snow White's t-cog as proof of his demise.

Of course, we all know that the mercenary end up not killing Snow White, instead urging him to run away and never come back. To trick the wing-lord into believing Snow White is dead, the mercenary kills a turbofox, takes its t-cog and delivers it him. The wing-lord, truly mad, cannibalizes the t-cog, hoping it somehow absorb Snow White's beauty and vitality through it.

Meanwhile, Snow White finds and befriends seven minibot miners (combiners perhaps?) that live on their own in the wilderness and starts living with them. Sadly, because the wing-lord still has the magic mirror he eventually learns the truth. In revenge, he throws the mercenary out the highest tower in Vos.

To finally get rid of Snow White once and for all, the evil wing-lord concoct a tasteless poison that he mixes with sweetened energon. Then he disguises himself with magic he's gotten from Unicron before heading out to the wilderness

Snow White is home alone when the evil wing-lord, disguised as a wandering beast-former, knocks upon the door. It's acid-raining outside and the wing-lord asks for shelter until the rain subsides. Of course, Snow White being so kind he is, lets him inside. As thanks, the wing-lord offers him his own 'special' blend of sweetened energon.

So trusting and naive, Snow White accepts the energon and drinks it. Almost immediately after taking a sip, he falls dead onto the floor, his white armor quickly turning grey. Cackling with glee, the evil wing-lord turns back into his seeker self and flies back to Vos.

The seven minibots return to their home to find Snow White dead. Stricken with grief, they place him in a crystal coffin so that he would always be able to see the sky.

One day, a passing Prime passes by. This Prime just so happens to be an old love of Snow White who had gotten separated from him when he had been suggested for Primacy. On his way back to Vos to finally meet his beloved again, he instead finds him dead. Devastated and overcome with grief, the Prime kneels before the coffin of Snow White.

But then! A miracle! The Matrix in his chest feels the Prime's pure love for Snow White and feeling such pity for him, resurrects the seeker!

Snow White, the Prime and the seven minibots all travel to Vos together where Prime reveals the evil wing-lord as a worshipper of Unicron. As punishment, the wing-lord's wings are set on fire and he's told to fly as high as he can. Forced to do so, the wing-lord flies high up in the atmosphere until the fire melts his wings, sending him plummeting down to his demise.

With the evil vanquished, Snow White, the Prime and the seven minibots live happily ever after.

[questionsonislam]

What are personal rights and freedoms (rights of immunity / human rights) in Islam? Will you give information regarding the issue?

According to Islamic belief, man is a being equipped with perfect mental, bodily, ethical and spiritual faculties and abilities. Man is born sinless and clean, in a way that is suitable for all kinds of material and spiritual elevation. He is the most beautiful creature in terms of his outward appearance and inner world. The following is stated in the Quran:

“We have indeed created man in the best of molds.”

Therefore, respect to man and service to individuals need to be accepted as basic philosophy and will. For, man is an official and vicegerent of Allah on earth. This specialty of him is stated as follows:

"Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: ‘I will create a vicegerent on earth.’"

According to Islam, every human being is a slave of Allah. All human beings without exception have natural rights. However, those rights are his inborn rights due to becoming a human being. All human beings are like the members of one family. Nobility does not originate from birth but from ethical virtues and devotion to rights and duties. All human beings have equal rights no matter what race, class, profession or rank they have. Thus, every individual will regard others as members of the same family and treat them accordingly. No individual can be deprived of his natural rights due to the class, profession, race or gender he belongs to.

According to Islam, all people are equal in the face of law. A Muslim is no different from a non-Muslim as long as he fulfills his duties toward the state.

Consequently, man is a slave of Allah and a nice trust of Him whether he is a believer or not. Therefore, man has honor and he deserves respect. It is the basic philosophy of Islam not to see any differences among people in terms of being human and to regard them as beings that have equal rights, duties and values.

Farewell Sermon is regarded as one of the most important sources of Islam in terms of human rights. As it is known, Farewell Sermon is the name given to the sermons the Prophet (pbuh) delivered during Farewell Hajj in Makkah, where he went for hajj, in the 10th year of the Migration. Farewell Sermon is not only the sermon delivered in Arafat on the day of Arafah (Dhul-Hijjah 10) but also the one delivered in Mina on the second day of eid. The famous one among them is the one delivered in Arafat, addressing a congregation consisting of more than 140.000 people, men and women. This sermon summarizes man’s rights and duties as a basic law. Since the Prophet (pbuh) passed away three months after this sermon, it is his real will.

Before the Prophet (pbuh) started his sermon before such a crowded congregation, he ensured silence through Jarir b. Abdillah and Rabia b. Umayya, one of the Companions, appointed criers who repeated the speech of the Prophet sentence by sentence, enabling the sentences to reach everybody; which technically means using loudspeakers.

Now, we will quote some of the sentences from this important and universal speech, which is recorded as “Farewell Sermon” in the history of Islam and will try to explain the issues it contains:

”Praise and thanks be to Allah! We praise him, ask for His help, want from Him and turn to Him. We take refuge in Allah from the evil of our souls and our bad deeds. If Allah misguides a person, nobody can guide him. I witness that there is no god but Allah, that He is one and that He has no partners. I also witness that Muhammad is His slave and messenger."

"O slaves of Allah! I advise you to fear Allah and encourage you to obey Him. Thus, I want to start my words with the best thing:"

"O People! Listen to what I explain to you. For I do not know whether, after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again."

" O People! Your blood (lives), wealth, honor and dignity are sacred up to the day when you meet your Lord, as this place (Makkah), this month (Dhul-Hijjah) and today are sacred. Be careful! Have I conveyed it to you? O Allah! Be my witness!"

" Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners."

"The usury of the Era of Ignorance has been laid aside forever; your capital, however, is yours to keep. Thus, you will neither inflict nor suffer inequity. The first usury I abolish is the one that is due to my father’s brother, Abbas ibn Abdulmuttalib."

"Every right arising out of homicide (blood feud) in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived, and the first such right I waive is that arising from the murder of my nephew, Amir Ibn Rabiah Ibn al-Harith."

"The customs of Era of Ignorance related the city of Makkah have been abolished except the duty of guarding the Kaaba and providing water to hajjis."

"O people! Satan has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things."

"O people! I advise you to show respect to the rights of your women and fear Allah about them. You have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you. Treat your women well and be kind to them, for they are under your protection. Fear Allah about women."

"O people! Every believer is the brother of another believer. Nothing shall be legitimate to a believer that belongs to a fellow believer unless it is given freely and willingly. Allah gave everybody their due (in the Quran)."

"Do not go astray after me and do not try to kill one another. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah, and if you follow these you will never go astray."

"O people, your Lord is One, and your father is one: all of you are from Adam, and Adam was created from soil. The noblest of you in Allah’s sight is the most god-fearing. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab except taqwa."

After the sermon ended, the Prophet (pbuh) asked that tremendous congregation,

”O people! They will ask you about me tomorrow. What will you say?" The Companions said,

"We witness that you have conveyed the prophethood of Allah; you have fulfilled the duty of prophethood and that you have given us advice." The Prophet raised his index finger toward the sky and lowered it toward the congregation three times and said,

"O Lord! Be my witness! O Lord! Be my witness! Let those who are here convey my words to those who are not here.”

As it is seen, the Prophet (pbuh) started his sermon with the exclamation "Ayyuhannas (O people)!" after praising Allah. First, he attracted the attention of listeners and addressed the whole world.   

This sermon is very important in that it mentions basic issues of Islam, and legal issues like the abolition of customs of Ignorance, equality, freedom, blood feuds, interest (usury), human rights, rights of wives and husbands in family law, will, lineage, fornication, debt and guarantee.

This sermon of the Prophet (pbuh) is not an ordinary sermon addressing only Muslims; it is a historical sermon involving humanity and a universal declaration of human rights.

The phrase "O people!" mentioned in 7-8 places and forming the paragraph openings in the sermon indicates the universal aspect of this sermon or declaration, that is, its inclusion of all people. For, this phrase aims to address not only the Muslims there but also non-Muslims, unbelievers, atheists, etc. who were not there. For, the word "nas (people)" is a general word containing all sane people whether a believer or unbeliever, Muslim or non-Muslim, who were present or absent. Therefore, that message was not specific to the people who were there that day; on the contrary, it was an open invitation to be conveyed to the whole world. The Prophet (pbuh) obtained a promise from the people there that they would accept the principles he declared and that they would convey them to others. He passed away three months later.

Hz. Prophet (pbuh) suggested some social reforms in this sermon. The exploitation of the poor by the rich was forbidden and the interest added to the loan was abolished. Husbands were ordered to treat their wives well since they are their partners and helpers; the differences of race and country were abolished completely.

An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab because all humanity belongs to a single race actually. Besides, it is declared that lives, wealth, honor and dignity are sacred.   

Hz. Prophet virtually summarized the religion of Islam in Farewell Sermon. Every issue took place in the triangle of Allah, man and other beings. People are regarded equal like the teeth of a comb. Immunity is provided for everything of man, his soul, life, wealth and thought. To sum up, this sermon introduced the rights of the people that they had lost.

Along with other issues, the following issues, which are of great importance in the life of individual and community, are emphasized in farewell Sermon:

1. Everybody’s life, wealth and honor are protected from transgression.

2. Nobody has the right to harm others.

3. All Muslims are brothers.

4. All debts will be paid but no extra amount (interest) will be paid in addition to the amount that has been borrowed.

5. Blood feuds and realizing justice personally are prohibited.

6. Women are life partners of men; therefore, they are ordered to be treated well; it is stated that women have the right to own wealth and property like men. 

7. It is stated that people are equal irrespective of their race and color.

8. Deeds that harm family life like fornication are forbidden.

9. It is stated that the Quran was left as a trust to people and they are advised to adhere to it.

10. The calculation of days, months and years, which was a controversial issue among Arabs in the Era of Ignorance, were made clear; regarding some months halal and some months haram based on material interest and changing their places were prohibited; a year was determined to have twelve months. Besides, the sacredness of Makkah and places around it were pointed out.    

11. It was emphasized that the entrusted things had to be returned to their owners.

The values Farewell Sermon added to human rights in terms of law are clear. It introduced certain religious, scientific, social, administrative, political and familial rights and duties. The importance of this sermon in terms of sociological history cannot be denied. The Prophet (pbuh) eliminated all of the customs and traditions of the Era of Ignorance in this sermon and declared his decrees about rights and duties, each of which was revolutionary.

On the day when this sermon was delivered, Islam addressed the world with its power and magnificence and stated that the Era of Ignorance ended with all of its dark sides and aberrations.

Thus, Farewell Sermon declared human rights to the whole world in 632; today, Westerners date human rights back to 1215, when the British accepted Magna Charta Libertatum (Great Freedom Contract). However, this contract includes certain rights between the king and Lords, who represented citizens, not between the king and citizens directly. Afterwards, human rights came to the fore with French Revolution in 1789 and the declaration of human rights was issued. Finally, Universal Declaration of Human Rights was issued by the United Nations in 1948. Even if the issue of human rights can be dated back to 1215, Farewell Sermon brought it forward in 632. Therefore, Farewell Sermon has a historical value.

Farewell Sermon is a document that affected the world of law, politics and administration of the future in many ways. Since Muslims regard the Prophet (pbuh) as a model in their lives, his traces are seen in every field. It is possible to see the examples of the sermon in legal, economic and political fields. If it is examined carefully, it will be seen that the political protocol / ordinance that Hz. Ali wrote and sent to Malik b. al-Harith al-Ashtar, the governor of Egypt, when he was the caliph, was inspired by Farewell Sermon of the Prophet (pbuh).

We wish to live in a world in which people respect the rights of one another and which is full of love. 

[delightingintragedy]

Charms for Illness and Plague from The Charmers' Psalter by Gemma Gary

For Illness in General:

"The Abracadabra charm may be inscribed in ink upon parchment or paper to be worn as a charm against illness. Enclosed in a black silken bag, it is also a potent charm against witchcraft and evil influences.

In the working of curative magic at a distance, the charmer may also employ the Abracadabra charm by writing it out in the usual manner, and scratching a line away with a new knife, kept for the purpose, each day with the following words:

"As I destroy the letters of this charm, Abracadabra, so, by virtue of this sacred name, may all grief and dolour depart from (name) in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. In the Name of the Father I destroy this disease, in the Name of the Son I destroy this disease, in the Name of the Holy Ghost I destroy this disease. Amen.""

Against Epidemics:

"God the Lord went over the land; ninety sicknesses came from the sand. Said the Lord to the ninety sick: 'whither go ye? Answer me quick.' Then said the ninety of the sand: 'to take men's health we walk the land. To hurt their limbs and fester their skin, to shake them well without and within.' Then spake the Lord: 'to the elder-bush go that grows where the healing waters flow; see that ye do this thing just now, and ullthe bush down bough for bough. Name the diseases ye bring from the sand. Leave God the Lord to walk the land."

Witches' Herb-Gathering Charms:

"The first charm is to be used in the gathering of any herb for magical healing purposes, it may also be sung during the preparation of herbal healing substances to increase their efficacy. The second is to be spoken in gathering the herb pimpernel for uses against witchcraft, and the third is a gathering charm for vervain.

"Hail to thee, holy herb, growing on the ground, all on Mount Calvary first wast thou found. Thou art good for many sores, and healeth many a wound; in the name of St. Jesus! I take thee from the ground."

"Herb pimpernel I have thee found, growing upon Christ Jesus' ground; the same gift the Lord Jesus gave unto thee, when He shed his blood upon the tree. Arise up, pimpernel, and go with me, and God bless me, and all that shall wear thee. Amen."

"All-hele, thou holy herb, Vervain, growing on the ground; In the Mount of Calvary there was thou found; thou helpest many a grief, and staunchest many a wound. In the name of sweet Jesus I take thee from the ground. O Lord, effect the same that I do now go about. In the name of God, on Mount Olivet first I thee found; in the name of Jesus I pull thee from the ground."

To Hasten the Healing of the Sick:

Recite Psalm 41:

"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The LORD will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness. I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee. Mine enemies speak evil of me, When shall he die, and his name perish? And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it. All that hate me whisper together against me: against me do they devise my hurt. An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more. Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me. But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them. By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me. And as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest me before thy face for ever. Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen."

[gatekeeper-watchman]

Daily Devotionals for December 20, 2024 

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 31:4-7 (KJV): 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Proverbs 31:4-7 (AMP): 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, 5 Lest they drink and forget the law and what it decrees, and pervert the justice due any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink (as medicine) to him who is ready to pass away, and wine to him in bitter distress of heart. 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty and (seriously) remember his want and misery no more.

Thought for the Day

Verses 4-7 - David promised Bathsheba that her son would become king; so, she wisely trained him for the enormous responsibilities he would face. She pointed out to him that drinking is an unbecoming indulgence for kings. Although drinking wine was the common practice of those times, she knew that her son would be accountable to God for everything he did. She warned him that wine was dangerous, for it clouds one's reason; causing one to forget the law, and to err in judgment. A king must be rational, so that he might remember God's laws and judge the people justly. He must always have a clear head.

According to these verses, the only cases in which the use of alcohol is recommended, are pain and extreme distress. In such instances, it can be administered medicinally. Paul reiterated this instruction to Timothy, directing the use of wine for his stomach and frequent ailments (1 Timothy 5:23). Even today, alcohol can be used medicinally, and we find it is an ingredient in a number of prescription compounds.

The affects of alcohol upon man have not changed through the millennia. It still perverts people's judgment. Long before one notices its effects, it slows one's responses. Because of today's high-speed travel, even the slightest slowing of a driver's responses can cause fatal accidents. Alcoholism also continues to generate great heartache for those enslaved by it and for their families.

The Bible tells us that we have been made a kingdom of priests to God. "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Revelation 1:6). As it was unfitting for Lemuel to indulge in wine, so it is unfitting for us, as God's royal family, to do so. We are responsible before God for those around us as well as ourselves. "For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another" (Galatians 5:13). As God's children, love should motivate us to abstain from anything that might cause someone to stumble.

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, what wonderful advice we find written in the pages of the Bible. May we all adhere to the wisdom we find in it, and especially the wisdom given for kings. Lord, spiritually, you have made us kings and priests, so we need to act like a king and a priest. We need to be wise and holy, so we can rule and reign in a dark and evil world. Deliver us from all things that would cause us to have poor judgment and give us Your wisdom. May I live a righteous life before the world and be a true and faithful witness for You. I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

Morning and Evening by C.H. Spurgeon

Morning, September 17th

"Bring him unto me." – Mark 9:19

Despairingly the poor disappointed father turned away from the disciples to their Master. His son was in the worst possible condition, and all means had failed, but the miserable child was soon delivered from the evil one when the parent in faith obeyed the Lord Jesus' word, "Bring him unto me." Children are a precious gift from God, but much anxiety comes with them. They may be a great joy or a great bitterness to their parents; they may be filled with the Spirit of God, or possessed with the spirit of evil. In all cases, the Word of God gives us one receipt for the curing of all their ills, "Bring him unto me." O for more agonizing prayer on their behalf while they are yet babes! Sin is there, let our prayers begin to attack it. Our cries for our offspring should precede those cries which betoken their actual advent into a world of sin. In the days of their youth we shall see sad tokens of that dumb and deaf spirit which will neither pray aright, nor hear the voice of God in the soul, but Jesus still commands, "Bring them unto me." When they are grown up they may wallow in sin and foam with enmity against God; then when our hearts are breaking we should remember the great Physician's words, "Bring them unto me." Never must we cease to pray until they cease to breathe. No case is hopeless while Jesus lives.

The Lord sometimes suffers his people to be driven into a corner that they may experimentally know how necessary he is to them. Ungodly children, when they show us our own powerlessness against the depravity of their hearts, drive us to flee to the strong for strength, and this is a great blessing to us. Whatever our morning's need may be, let it like a strong current bear us to the ocean of divine love. Jesus can soon remove our sorrow. He delights to comfort us. Let us hasten to him while he waits to meet us.

[stcecelia]

Women in Scripture Day One: Eve

(first off, sorry for the delay in post. We have class every Tuesday evening, but this week has been crazy with work and also starting my online college classes. anyway on to my notes ! )

It seems very fitting that for our first lesson on women in scriptures this semester, we discussed the very first woman in the scriptures: Eve

To start the class, our instructor posed us the question: "How does Eve's life and example deepen my conversion to the Savior?"

Then we began reading scripture. We bounced between the book of Moses and the book of Genesis, but I mainly used the book of Moses since it's the JST :)

The first Scripture we read was Moses 3:18, which reads, "And I, the Lord God, said unto mine Only Begotten, that it was not good that the man should be alone; wherefore, I will make an help meet for him."

To be honest, I was never a fan of this verse. I didn't like the implication that God created women only to be a helper to men. That seems to be the most widely held belief in the general christendom; God created women second, and only to be subservient and submissive. Lower in rank and duty and worth.

You could say I've been a feminist my entire life, even well before I knew what the word was or its meaning (my mom tells me that when I was little, I used to constantly ask why when I turned twelve I wouldn't be able to get the priesthood like my twin brother would. It didn't seem fair to me as a young child that had been told my entire life growing up I as a girl could do anything a boy could do, and it still didn't for a good portion of my life. It was only until a couple years ago that I really grasped why, and was ok with it). So this idea that in my God's eyes I was lesser than any man angered me. I believe I wasn't put on this earth to be a lower, side-kick, passive, baby-making, subdued woman that would sit idly by while the more important men in my life made decisions and gained educations and ruled over me.

But here's the thing, that was never Heavenly Father's intention for me, or for Eve.

In the original Hebrew scripture, the word for "help meet" is "Ezer Kenegdo". "Ezer" means "help", but not in the way our modern English language would suggest. Instead of just being a passive helper, being an "Ezer" means to strengthen, protect, and provide sanctuary. "Ezer" was used twenty-one other times in the Old Testament, and was only otherwise used to describe protection against the greatest forces of evil, from armies, and for divine guidance and strength for all of humankind. Here are a few of these verses:

Exodus 18:4 "For the God of my Father, said he, was mine help [ezer] and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh." Psalm 115:9 "O Israel, thou has destroyed thyself, but in me is thine help [ezer]." Hosea 13:9 "In me [the Lord] is thy help [ezer]."

With this knowledge we can say with absolute certainty that to be an "Ezer" is to be a stand in for God's protection and love.

"Kenegdo" is generally thought by scholar's to mean "opposite or corresponding to". Like a puzzle piece, is what my instructor said.

Combining these two words together, we know that God created Eve to be a different but important and equal counterpart to Adam, with special power to comfort and protect against evil. How wonderful is that!!! Whenever we as women serve or help protect our communities and families, we are fulfilling our God given roles as ezer kenegdos.

And this was just the first half of class!

For the second half, we discussed the story of Eve being tempted by Satan to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge, which led to her telling Adam to eat of the fruit, which led to their expulsion from the garden.

There are a few students in the institute who converted to the church only recently, and shared their previous religions perspectives on this scripture. That Eve was stupid and foolish, easily tricked by a much smarter man, and cursed all of mankind with the Fall that we should live in evil and misery and sin. But we are blessed to know, through living prophets and modern revelation, that the Fall was a necessary part of Heavenly Father's plan. In order for us to become more like Him, we need to have knowledge.

Lehi taught Jacob, "....wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin". It reminds me of the final season of The Good Place, which is one of my favorite TV shows of all time, where when the protagonists finally make it up to heaven they find that the constant state of happiness has become insurmountably boring, and there's no real joy to be found. We can only appreciate wonderful things if we know what it means to be miserable.

2 Nephi 2:25 (the best scripture verse, IMO) sums it up entirely for us: "Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy."

Eve knew this, and she made the right decision. She was never remorseful, saying "were it not for our transgressions we ... never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient" (Moses 5:11).

So, how does Eve's life deepen my conversion to the Savior? Through her, I can be an ezer to the people in my life, and can comfort myself with the knowledge that through her's and Adam's transgression, I can find greater knowledge on both spiritual and worldly matters, and make mistakes that will lead me to grow closer to my Heavenly Parents. Through the "Fall" and the Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ, I can repent for my sins and imperfections and develop into the woman God knows I can and will become

Amen!

[orthodoxadventure]

Icon of the Mother of God “The Unexpected Joy”

Commemorated on January 25

Today the faithful people celebrate in spirit, glorifying the fervent helper of the Christian race; and hastening to her most pure image, let us cry out to her: "O most merciful Sovereign Lady Theotokos, grant unexpected joy to us who are burdened by sins and many sorrows, and deliver us from all evil; entreating your Son, Christ our God, to save our souls."

The “Unexpected Joy” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, is painted in this way: in a room is an icon of the Mother of God, and beneath it a youth is kneeling at prayer. The tradition about the healing of some youth from a bodily affliction through this holy icon is recorded in the book of Saint Demetrius of Rostov, The Fleece of Prayer [See Judges 6: 36-40].

The sinful youth, who was nevertheless devoted to the Theotokos, was praying one day before the icon of the All-Pure Virgin before going out to commit a sin. Suddenly, he saw that wounds appeared on the Lord’s hands, feet, and side, and blood flowed from them. In horror he exclaimed, “O Lady, who has done this?” The Mother of God replied, “You and other sinners, because of your sins, crucify My Son anew.” Only then did he realize how great was the depth of his sinfulness. For a long time he prayed with tears to the All-Pure Mother of God and the Savior for mercy. Finally, he received the unexpected joy of the forgiveness of his sins.

The “Unexpected Joy” icon is also commemorated on January 25 and May 1.

[Text from OCA]

We have no other help, we have no other hope, but you, O Sovereign Lady. Help us, for in you we hope, and of you we boast, for we are your servants. Let us not be put to shame.