The Holy Martyrs Trophimus, Theophilus and those with them; Blessed Hieromartyr Vasyl Hopko, Bishop.
1 Corinthians 14:6-19; Matthew 20:17-28.
Read 1 Corinthians 14:6-19
The definition and essence of Greek word προσευχή, (proseuchomai) “in the New Testament, the term most frequently rendered “prayer” describes personal and corporate communion with the living God—adoration, confession, thanksgiving, intercession, petition, and surrender. It is neither magical incantation nor mere ritual; it is relational conversation grounded in faith, offered through the Son, and enabled by the Holy Spirit. Summarized across the New Testament, prayer is revealed as the lifebreath of faith, the engine of mission, and the incense of worship. Whether voiced by Jesus on a lonely mountain, offered by a Gentile centurion, or poured into golden bowls before the throne, prayer unites earth with heaven and advances the unstoppable purposes of God.” (Cf. https://biblehub.com/greek/4335.htm)
One may have heard that “comical” question that is occasionally heard among liturgists; what is the difference between a terrorist and a liturgist? You can reason with a terrorist. What is revealed in this response is the ultimate and essential importance of prayer. Liturgy is communal prayer. The very fibre of a true liturgist would know this. We are what we pray and if Jesus is truly what He says He Is, “I am the Way the Truth and the Life” (John 14:6) how could one even imagine differently than the truth of the gravity of the importance of prayer, private and communal.
One of the problems in the Corinthian church that Paul responds to in this letter is church disunity, self-centeredness and spiritual gifts. (Cf. The Orthodox Study Bible, p.1550) This is what St. Paul addresses in today’s reading to the Corinthians; be very attentive how you pray, your life depends on it. When there is conflict and disunity, you do not need to look any further than how you pray.
To understand prayer, look to Our Holy Heavenly Mother Mary, the Theotokos. “She kept and pondered in her heart.” (Luke 2:51) Look also to the word ὑπακούω “to listen.” Ὑπακούω threads through the New Testament as a golden cord tying together the believer’s relationship to Christ, the church’s fidelity to apostolic teaching, and creation’s acknowledgment of the Lord’s voice. It confronts every reader with a searching question: having heard the word of the Lord, will we obey? (Cf. https://biblehub.com/greek/5219.htm)
Pray, because your life is dependent on it. Turn to the Theotokos because she knows how to pray and through her prayers of intercession, you will also increase the probability of praying properly!