What is Your Prayer Rule Like?

[JamesR]

Do you have a particular daily regime for prayer? If so, what is it like?

I wake up at 7:30AM everyday and take half an hour to say my own prayers, which is usually just me complaining about all my problems to God, then after eating and showering I recite the daily Orthodox morning prayers from my Jordanville Book, which takes about 20 minutes. Then I'll pray the Hour at 9:00AM, Noon, and 3:00PM. Then later on before bed I say another half an hour of my own prayer then I recite the "Before Sleep" prayers of the Jordanville Book.

Occasionally when my family isn't home I'll move an Icon into the living room and pray an Akathist or Supplicatory Canon to it.

[joasia]

Prayers are a personal issue. There's no right or wrong way, if that's what you are asking about. As long as we pray, it's all good.

But, I will share a prayer with you that I say every morning (along with some other prayers). I think it covers everything.

The Prayer of the Optina Elders

Grant unto me, O Lord, that with peace of mind I may face all that this new day is to bring. Grant unto me to dedicate myself completely to Thy Holy Will. For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in all things. Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, do Thou teach me to accept tranquilly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Thy Holy Will. Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say.
When things unforeseen occur , let me not forget that all cometh down from Thee. Teach me to behave sincerely and rationally toward every member of my family, that I may bring confusion and sorrow to none. Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day, and to bear my part in all its passing events. Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love. Amen

[Maria]

Prayers are a personal issue. There's no right or wrong way, if that's what you are asking about. As long as we pray, it's all good.

But, I will share a prayer with you that I say every morning (along with some other prayers). I think it covers everything.

The Prayer of the Optina Elders

Grant unto me, O Lord, that with peace of mind I may face all that this new day is to bring. Grant unto me to dedicate myself completely to Thy Holy Will. For every hour of this day, instruct and support me in all things. Whatsoever tidings I may receive during the day, do Thou teach me to accept tranquilly, in the firm conviction that all eventualities fulfill Thy Holy Will. Govern Thou my thoughts and feelings in all I do and say.
When things unforeseen occur , let me not forget that all cometh down from Thee. Teach me to behave sincerely and rationally toward every member of my family, that I may bring confusion and sorrow to none. Bestow upon me, my Lord, strength to endure the fatigue of the day, and to bear my part in all its passing events. Guide Thou my will and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive, and to love. Amen

Joanna,

That is a beautiful prayer.

I have added to my rule the chanting of the Paracleisis (Small Supplicatory Canon) to the Theotokos (sung during the Fast of the Theotokos). It is for healing, guidance, and perseverance during these godless times.

[Jean-Serge]

Well, the rule of anyone being personal, I can give you the advice given by Saint Nikodemos the Hagiorithe in his book Christian Morality, recently (some 1-2 years ago) translated and published in English. I'll try to ;ake a short summary of this great book, in the book section of this forum.

The saint invites everyone not to forget the spiritual activities and in particular prayer. We should go to church twice a day, in morning and evening, even if we work and have other things to do, becaue, as christians, our main job is praying and not our secular job. He explains very well that if the church is far, then, we should pray at home substituting this prayer at church by the Prayer of Heart. My personal assumption is that at this time,people could not afford liturgical books, that someone having it could do reader's services. Basically Saint Nikodemos says to devote 2 hours to prayer a day...