I agree with what Suraj says. While I do not agree with many other
fanatical writings on such topics, I think Suraj has explained so
well the things that are in my mind too. Thank you. (I am
continuously learning and ICON is proving to be a unique school for
me.)
If we truly believe Christ suffered and died for us (me), then we
cannot really accept several teachings of many other faiths and
other 'Gods'.(well, we cannot accept several teachings of other
denominations too). But being fanatical and having a self righteous
attitide about it just takes us right into Satan's arms. The road is
not easy, deception stalks all along.
Prayers for non Christians - A Divine Hope in His Mercies:
---------------------------------------------------------
It is with the hope in God's immeasurable and incomprehensible
divine mercies that we pray for others who we know do not follow
Christ. We pray that in God's divine providence, they too be granted
mercy.
We accept that they have not followed Christ, due to several
reasons (including probably bad witness by us), but we hope that
when the Lord sits for judgement, they too be shown mercy. We
acknowledge that among those who have ever lived on this earth,
except for Christ, no one, absolutely no one, have been without sin.
Just as we hope for Christ's blood to wash away our many sins, we
hope for forgiveness of our non-Christian brethren by the Lord's
mercies.
We cannot stop praying for non Christians though. It is our
responsibility. As royal priests, we have the duty to pray for our
fellow beings, and the entire Creation. It is by hope that we pray.
That is how we have the prayers for the entire Creation in the Holy
Qurbana.
Perhaps the Holy Church also can guide us only to a limit in these
matters because of the theological constraints, yet I sincerely
believe, it is my responsibility to pray for the many non-Christian
friends whom I know. I have grown up among them, I have shared so
much with them. I think that gives me a unique insight in this
matter. And I believe that this is for a purpose in God's plan.
When they live with me, I pray for them, when they pass away I
continue to pray for them. Similarly, my co-workers, the people whom
I come in touch with on a daily basis, about many of whom, I do not
have an opportunity to know if they are Christians or not, I believe
I need to pray for them and I do that.(well not often enough, I
guess).
We believe in the power of intercessions. They do not pray to the
Lord, it is our hope that our prayers, though weak and sinful, can
somehow substitute and help them.
Think about it, It is by hope that we always pray actually.
Faith makes hope assured
------------------------
Heb 11:1 - Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the
conviction of things not seen.
By our faith, we trust that somehow, inspite of our many sins, we
will be found worthy of being in the presence of the Lord, and for this we pray.
By our faith, we trust that somehow, inspite of the many
constraints, our non-Christian brothers and sisters also will be
found worthy in the same way, and for this we pray.
Regards,
Mathew Samuel,
Albany, NY
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/14763
fanatical writings on such topics, I think Suraj has explained so
well the things that are in my mind too. Thank you. (I am
continuously learning and ICON is proving to be a unique school for
me.)
If we truly believe Christ suffered and died for us (me), then we
cannot really accept several teachings of many other faiths and
other 'Gods'.(well, we cannot accept several teachings of other
denominations too). But being fanatical and having a self righteous
attitide about it just takes us right into Satan's arms. The road is
not easy, deception stalks all along.
Prayers for non Christians - A Divine Hope in His Mercies:
---------------------------------------------------------
It is with the hope in God's immeasurable and incomprehensible
divine mercies that we pray for others who we know do not follow
Christ. We pray that in God's divine providence, they too be granted
mercy.
We accept that they have not followed Christ, due to several
reasons (including probably bad witness by us), but we hope that
when the Lord sits for judgement, they too be shown mercy. We
acknowledge that among those who have ever lived on this earth,
except for Christ, no one, absolutely no one, have been without sin.
Just as we hope for Christ's blood to wash away our many sins, we
hope for forgiveness of our non-Christian brethren by the Lord's
mercies.
We cannot stop praying for non Christians though. It is our
responsibility. As royal priests, we have the duty to pray for our
fellow beings, and the entire Creation. It is by hope that we pray.
That is how we have the prayers for the entire Creation in the Holy
Qurbana.
Perhaps the Holy Church also can guide us only to a limit in these
matters because of the theological constraints, yet I sincerely
believe, it is my responsibility to pray for the many non-Christian
friends whom I know. I have grown up among them, I have shared so
much with them. I think that gives me a unique insight in this
matter. And I believe that this is for a purpose in God's plan.
When they live with me, I pray for them, when they pass away I
continue to pray for them. Similarly, my co-workers, the people whom
I come in touch with on a daily basis, about many of whom, I do not
have an opportunity to know if they are Christians or not, I believe
I need to pray for them and I do that.(well not often enough, I
guess).
We believe in the power of intercessions. They do not pray to the
Lord, it is our hope that our prayers, though weak and sinful, can
somehow substitute and help them.
Think about it, It is by hope that we always pray actually.
Faith makes hope assured
------------------------
Heb 11:1 - Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the
conviction of things not seen.
By our faith, we trust that somehow, inspite of our many sins, we
will be found worthy of being in the presence of the Lord, and for this we pray.
By our faith, we trust that somehow, inspite of the many
constraints, our non-Christian brothers and sisters also will be
found worthy in the same way, and for this we pray.
Regards,
Mathew Samuel,
Albany, NY
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IndianOrthodox/message/14763
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