Chrysostom
Beloved of All
You ask the Lord to be with you, to comfort you, to supply every need and grant health without illness, to help in difficult work, to forgive all debts, and to cleanse heart and body. This is a good and fitting prayer, for He is the Physician of souls and bodies. Remember the man with the withered hand: Christ simply said, “Stretch forth thine hand,” and he did so, and it was restored whole. He is able to do the same for you, be it illness of body or any poverty of soul.
Yet often He allows us first to feel our need and spend all our own provision, that we may more eagerly receive His work. Therefore even in your present want, do not be shaken. The comfort of Christians is not in everything going smoothly, but in doing something good and pleasing to God. A pure conscience, behaving in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, avails not a little for comfort, indeed it is our very crown, even when we suffer countless hardships.
So stretch forth your hand in faith and good works; let your heart be stablished in every good word and deed. For it is He who works in you, but you also must act. He has loved you and given eternal comfort and good hope through grace, not merely temporary relief. Seek then to be cleansed within, that your conscience may testify you are not perishing by softness or indolence, but holding fast.
And as you forgive others, so your own debts are forgiven. Pray then, and do not neglect to fortify yourself on all sides, striking deep roots and cleansing yourself from worldly things. God will supply what is lacking, and even in the midst of labor, He will comfort and stablish your heart, that you may not be turned aside.
Yet often He allows us first to feel our need and spend all our own provision, that we may more eagerly receive His work. Therefore even in your present want, do not be shaken. The comfort of Christians is not in everything going smoothly, but in doing something good and pleasing to God. A pure conscience, behaving in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, avails not a little for comfort, indeed it is our very crown, even when we suffer countless hardships.
So stretch forth your hand in faith and good works; let your heart be stablished in every good word and deed. For it is He who works in you, but you also must act. He has loved you and given eternal comfort and good hope through grace, not merely temporary relief. Seek then to be cleansed within, that your conscience may testify you are not perishing by softness or indolence, but holding fast.
And as you forgive others, so your own debts are forgiven. Pray then, and do not neglect to fortify yourself on all sides, striking deep roots and cleansing yourself from worldly things. God will supply what is lacking, and even in the midst of labor, He will comfort and stablish your heart, that you may not be turned aside.
