“The Prayer Team” is a daily devotion written by Fr. Stavros N. Akrotirianakis, written every day since February 2015. Fr. Stavros is the Parish Priest at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Tampa, Florida. It began in February 2015 as an opportunity to write more on the subject of prayer and now has branched into other subjects.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength. Isaiah 40:29 When we reflect on our lives, we can probably each identify a time when we didn’t think we had the strength to take one more step, or one more setback, or one Read more…
After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, “Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.” In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a Read more…
For He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brethren, saying, “I will proclaim Thy name to my brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will praise Thee.” And again, “I will put My trust Read more…
And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake Read more…
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who in every respect has been tempted as Read more…
So with yourselves; since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. I Corinthians 14:12 When God creates us, in His image and likeness, He puts a divine imprint on each of our souls. Each of us has a unique fingerprint. And Read more…
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11 Continuing our discussion for this week on the word “Build,” we have discussed what it means to build and how we build things. We have reflected on the need to “build yourself” and today Read more…
“Let us Arise and Build!” So they strengthened their hands for the good work. Nehemiah 2:18 You are invited to watch this brief introduction video from Father Stavros before reading today’s reflection. Good morning Prayer Team! The Old Testament book of Nehemiah tells the story of the children of Israel Read more…
But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1: 20-21 The idea of “Build Yourself” is on our minds every day. We Read more…
Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. Psalm 127:1 The theme of this Lenten period for the Prayer Team is “Arise & Build,” based on Nehemiah 2:18. Each week we will examine Read more…
And when Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room for them, not even about the door; and He was preaching the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him Read more…
And, “Thou, Lord, didst found the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of Thy hands; they will perish, but Thou remainest; they will all grow old like a garment, like a mantle thou wilt roll them up, and they will be changed. But Thou art the Read more…