One question that I have wondered for a while is what are we supposed to do when heretics like Protestants for example ask us to pray for them? Normally I'd simply just say no, but, when it involves family, it becomes a bit more confusing. My parents already are somewhat hostile toward my Orthodoxy, so neglecting to pray with them would probably only turn them off to the possibility of ever converting even more. Yet, at the same time, I don't wish to violate the Canons. Does anyone have any experience in this area and any advice?
Prayer & Heretics
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JamesR
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Prayer & Heretics
"'Blessed are the peacemakers' For those are peacemakers in themselves who, in conquering and subjecting to reason all the motions of their souls and having their carnal desires tamed, have become in themselves a Kingdom of God."-St. Augustine of Hippo (Confessions)
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Priest Antonios
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Re: Prayer & Heretics
James,
That sounds like a perfect question for your spiritual father. However, being that you are trying to find your way in/from WO, I trust God will allow us to help.
If others ask us to pray for them we should do it with gladness! We pray that Gods will would be done in there lives and that they would come to know the Truth. Now, as far as praying with non-Orthodox people we must admit that there is a great difference between asking for God to bless a meal that we are sharing with family members and going to or participating in a religious service of the non-Orthodox.
Sincerely,
Dcn Antonios
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StephenS
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Re: Prayer & Heretics
JamesR wrote:One question that I have wondered for a while is what are we supposed to do when heretics like Protestants for example ask us to pray for them? Normally I'd simply just say no, but, when it involves family, it becomes a bit more confusing. My parents already are somewhat hostile toward my Orthodoxy, so neglecting to pray with them would probably only turn them off to the possibility of ever converting even more. Yet, at the same time, I don't wish to violate the Canons. Does anyone have any experience in this area and any advice?
On the family aspect I have little to offer, save advise you talk to a priest and listen carefully to their advise. On the more general side I have stuck to the 'no' prayers with the heterodox. Many years ago at the church where I was the starotsa a group of Catholics dropped in and asked me to lead them in prayer. They were extremely nice up until I gently declined. One, a nun was exceedingly outraged, saying among other things that they used to be like this but had moved on. Perhaps not saying but spitting her words out. Deft avoidance, gentle explanations accompanied by a smile may get you by but you may find people react. Again talk to a priest about what to do and how to safeguard yourself while avoiding pitfalls.