
My mouth shall speak of wisdom, and my heart shall meditate on understanding.
-Psalm 49:3
Today is the Feast Day of St. John Chrysostom. To many, he may be just another Saint in the litany of Saints celebrated by the greater church. However, St. Chrysostom has a particularly special place in my heart and possibly the hearts of others who are familiar with our Evening Prayer liturgy of the Prayer Book. If you can, turn to page 126 of your Book of Common Prayer and look at the top of the page. If you can’t access a hard copy, I have included the prayer as the closing prayer of this meditation
The reason why this prayer is so special to me is that we use this prayer during our daily chapels at Trinity School. Everyday it is recited at the conclusion of our prayers and I would be willing to bet that it is engrained on the majority of our students.
It is interesting to say, but the Prayer of St. Chrysostom is heard by our students more than the Lord’s Prayer or our Trinity School Prayer. These two prayers are recited on a daily rotation while the Prayer of St. Chrysostom is recited everyday. For our School community, I believe the words are the perfect way to frame the day ahead. I believe it provides comfort in the truth that God is in control - and that God deeply knows our hearts and spirits.
I pray you find comfort in the Prayer of St. Chrysostom this day. Meditate on the words as you bring your own prayers and petitions before our Almighty. Trust that God is in your midst and that God is helping your life unfold in the exact way that it should. Rest in the knowledge of God’s truth and may you find opportunities to share that truth with those around you.
Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen.
-A Prayer of St. Chrysostom



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