Prayer from the East Syrian Orthodox Offices
Strengthen, O our Lord and our God, our weakness in thy compassion, and comfort and help the wants of our soul in thy loving kindness; waken the sleep of our thoughts and lighten the weight of our limbs. Illuminate the darkness of our minds, and stretch forth your arm and confirm us, and give us strength and a helping hand, so we may arise and confess and glorify you, without ceasing all the days of our life, Lord of all. Amen.
Breath Meditation Practice
Take some deep breaths: In through the nose, out through the mouth, three at least or more. As your mind wanders, return your focus to the breath.
Saturday Reading
John 15:1–9
Jesus said: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.”
Serenity Prayer
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
courage to change the things I can,
and wisdom to know the difference.
Prayer for Loved Ones
Take a minute (more if you like) to simply name your loved ones. Practice not over-thinking. Just naming. Focus on your feeling of love for each one.
Closing: Prayer from the East Syrian Orthodox Offices
As a breath prayer. On the in breath: Waken the sleep of my thoughts. On the out breath: Lighten the weight of my limbs. If you like, pick another line to return to through the day.
Strengthen, O our Lord and our God, our weakness in thy compassion, and comfort and help the wants of our soul in thy loving kindness; waken the sleep of our thoughts and lighten the weight of our limbs. Illuminate the darkness of our minds, and stretch forth your arm and confirm us, and give us strength and a helping hand, so we may arise and confess and glorify you, without ceasing all the days of our life, Lord of all. Amen.
Benediction
Go in peace: wash your hands, love your neighbor, you are not alone.