Urgent Prayer Request!
I just posted an URGENT PRAYER REQUEST on my Facebook page for the fires consuming central California putting many people in danger, including the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring. The sisters are asking that everyone pray ardently for God to send rain and protect the monastery. The fire has already consumed over 103, 000 acres! The sisters have been praying nonstop and doing Paraklesis services while carrying holy relics around the perimeter of the monastery property. PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD AND ASK YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS TO PRAY!!!
Max Whittaker/Reuters
St. Arsenios used the Psalter as a Book of Needs and I often refer to it when I want a specific prayer for various afflictions or needs. You can print out a list of the Psalms and what each one aids with here.
Psalm 21 is read so that God contains the fire and no major harm is done. I'm including it here and asking all of you to pray it with all your heart as often as possible until the fires are stopped.
PSALM 21
O God, my God, attend to me; why hast Thou forsaken me? Far from my salvation are the words of my transgressions. My Go, I will cry by day, and wilt Thou not hearken? and by night, and it shall not be unto folly for me.But as for Thee, Thou dwellest in the sanctuary, O Praise of Israel.In Thee have our fathers hoped; they hoped, and Thou didst deliver them.Unto Thee they cried, and were saved; in Thee they hoped, and were not brough to shame.But as for me, I am a worm, and not a man, a reproach of men, and the outcast of the people.All that look upon me have laughed me to scorn; they have spoken with their lips and have wagged their heads:He hoped in the Lord; let Him deliver him, let Him save him, for He desireth him.For Thou art He that drewest me forth from the womb; my hope from the breasts of my mother.On Thee was I cast from the womb; from my mother's womb, Thou art my God.Depart not from me, for tribulation is nigh, for there is none to help me.Many bullocks have encircled me, fat bulls have surrounded me.They have opened their mouth against me, as might a lion ravenous and roaring. I have been poured out like water, and scattered are all my bones; my heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels.My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath cleaved to my throat, and into the dust of death hast Thou brought me down.For many dogs have encircled me, the congregation of evil-doers hath surrounded me; they have pierced my hands and my feet.They have numbered all my bones, and they themselves have looked and stared upon me. They have parted my garments amongst themselves, and for my vesture have they cast lots.But Thou, O Lord, remove not Thy help far from me; attend unto mine aid.Rescue my soul from the sword, even this only-begotten one of mine from the hand of the dog.Save me from the mouth of the lion, and my lowliness from the horns of the unicorns. I will declare Thy Name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I hymn Thee. Ye that fear the Lord, praise Him; all ye that are the seed of Jacob, glorify Him; let all fear Him that are the seed of Israel.For He hath not set at nought nor abhorred the supplications of the pauper, nor hath He turned His face from me; and when I cried unto Him, He hearkened unto me.From Thee is my praise; in the great church will I confess Thee; my vows will I pay before them that fear Thee.The poor shall eat and be filled, and they that seek the Lord shall praise Him; their hearts shall live for ever and ever.All the ends of the earth shall remember and shall turn unto the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Him.For the kingdom is the Lord's and He Himself is sovereign of the nations.All they that be fat upon the earth have eaten and worshipped; all they that go down into the earth shall fall down before Him.Yea, my soul liveth for Him, and my seed shall serve Him.The generation that cometh shall be told of the Lord, and they shall proclaim His righteousness to a people that shall be born, which the Lord hath made. Amen.
URGENT PRAYER REQUEST: FIRE THREATENS MONASTERY AND SAINT NICHOLAS RANCH IN DUNLAP, CA
The Rough Fire located in central California has consumed over 103,000 acres. Residents in many communities along its path have been evacuated, included staff at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center and the adjacent Monastery of the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring. The fire is approximately four miles away from the Ranch and Monastery facilities, located in Dunlap, California, and the air quality is extremely poor and is a health hazard for residents.
Abbess Markella and 18 sisters from the Monastery are graciously being provided with accommodations from the Sisters of Nazareth from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fresno, and Monastery Chaplain Rev. Father John Angelis is staying in the home of parishioners from Saint George in Fresno. Three sisters remain at the Monastery, and Saint Nicholas Ranch Director Michael Pappas is also still on the Ranch property. At the present time, the evacuation is strongly advised but not required. Should a mandatory evacuation be issued, they will immediately leave and seek safety in Fresno. In the attached picture you can see the large cloud of smoke in the sky approaching the historic barn at Saint Nicholas Ranch, which gives a clearer indication of the proximity of this fire.“We pray for the safekeeping of our beloved Monastery and Saint Nicholas Ranch, and for all those in the area. We will remain vigilant in our supplications to the Lord that the fires may be contained and not cause any further destruction,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “We are also grateful for the valiant efforts of the firefighters and pray for their strength to endure this battle, so they may return to their homes and loved ones unharmed.”Saint Nicholas Ranch is presently providing housing for 22 firefighters from Cal Fire who are in need of accommodations during their rest periods from active fire duty. The Rough Fire was started by a lightning strike in July 2015 and has been growing in intensity. The extreme heat and drought in California have exacerbated conditions, making this fire hard to control.The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco will provide further updates as additional information becomes available.