It is a joy to see the Orthodox priest at one of the best Orthodox blogs, Ora Et Labora, blogging again. He has been in the hospital for a few months and apparently is still there but is able to post. Let us keep him in our prayers for a full recovery from his illness. Lord have mercy on him! One of his recent posts concerns the books that he has been reading while in the hospital. You can read about them here.
This is the prayer Fr. Isidore taught his spiritual children to pray.
Where does it hurt?
Placing the hand on the forehead, say:
Lord, Thou Who art crowned with thorns upon Thy head, to blood and marrow, for the sake of my sins;
Lowering the hand to the right foot, say:
Jesus, Whose right foot was pierced with an iron nail for the sake of my sins;
Placing the hand on the left foot, say:
Christ, Whose left foot was pierced with an iron nail for the sake of my sins;
Raising the hand to the right shoulder, say:
Son, Whose right hand was pierced with an iron nail for the sake of my sins;
Transferring the hand to the left shoulder, say:
Of God, Whose left hand pierced for the sake of my sins; and Whose side was punctured by a spear; from Whose side flowed blood and water for the redemption and salvation of our souls;
Through the Mother of God, grant me understanding.
Turning one’s face towards the icon of the Mother of God, say:
And through Thee Thyself, through Thy soul the weapon pierced, so that from many hearts will be revealed a spring of the repentant, thankful and heartfelt tears of all mankind.
*The initial words from each line of this prayer comprise the first phrase of the ancient Jesus Prayer.
-From Salt of the Earth by St. Paul Florensky
