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☦ Orthodox Christian with a prayer and a story.
Last edited Thu Oct 14, 2021, 02:34 AM - Edit history (1)
St. Gregory Palamas Outreach~Prayers from the Tradition of the Holy Orthodox Church
Orthodox prayer for a woman after giving birth~
+O Lord Jesus Christ our God, who wast born of our immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, and didst in the manger as a child and appeared as a suckling: Do Thou have mercy upon this handmaid C, who hath now given birth, and preserve her by Thy strong arm; forgive her every sin both voluntary and involuntary, cleanse her from all stain, heal her every pain, and grant health and strength to her soul and body. Surround her with joyous angels of light, and guard her from all evil; preserve her from every jealous eye, and have mercy upon her according to Thy great mercy, and raise her up in loving kindness. And do Thou, O Lord, protect the child to whom she hath given birth; preserve him from all sickness and accident, from evil by day or by night, and from every snare of the adversary, and bestow upon him Thy heavenly benediction. And grant, O Lord, that this Thy handmaid and the child born of her may come to adore Thee in Thy holy temple in due season, for all glory, honor, and worship are due unto Thee: To the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.+
Yesterday eve I ran out to one grocery I shop at. Have been in a depressed funk for many days. Took a disabled space that had a cart a shopper left in the area between the 2 parking spaces. I had to get out carefully so as not to bang the door in the cart. A young woman was getting out of the passenger side of their car. She said people leave carts all over and the cart return place is so close by. I said this gets me. I always bring in stray carts when going into stores. (Asking the cashier for a discount after telling them what good deed I did.)😉
Getting out of her side, I see her right leg in a large cumbersome cast/brace. Oh no, I'm sorry for you! Also she needs knee surgery. Then she says but look what happened in all this. A 3 month 'new' baby boy was in his carrier and the husband then put the carrier in a stroller so easier to navigate. As we came in to enter, I asked to see him. What joy came to me! I said beautiful boy! I asked for their names to offer prayers for this sweet new family. She told me. I told them my name. Wished them well.
I stopped for some coupons at the dispensing thingy. Then made my way thru produce. Saw them by the end of an aisle near checkout. I pulled out a $20 and went over. Here I want you to have this. Oh, no! Oh, yes! I pointed above and said it's from Him. She started to wipe her eyes. I said blessings!
Out to my car to load bags, there's a youngun who always helps me if he's working. He goes, there's a note on your window. (Driver's side.) I had an inkling who from. Sure enuff. The sweet family that we fellowshipped with. The mom wrote, "Thank you so much! We've been going thru a lot lately. God bless you!"
This encounter lifted me up. I have encounters like this there and 2 other grocery stores I shop at. Plus the PO where I have a box. There are God bearing sisters and brothers of various backgrounds and flavors. Not necessarily churched even.
I'm not boasting in myself. But I will boast in the Lord Christ and His Holy Spirit.
The above prayer I offered for the new mom and baby, including the new dad of course. Also, as soon as I put groceries away, I texted our shepherd (priest) with their names for remembrance and a photo of the mom's note.
I had a joy-filled evening and night permeated by heavenly fragrance. I needed this real bad.
Thanks for y'all listening so graciously.💙
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