“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. On Monday through Friday, Fr. Stavros writes various topics (recent units have included “Go-To Verses from Scripture”, “The Ten Commandments”, and “Building Authentic Relatoinships”), each beginning with scripture and ending with a prayer. On Saturdays and Sundays, he writes reflections on the Sunday Epistles (Saturday) and the Gospels (Sunday). Each devotion includes a verse from scripture, a commentary from Fr. Stavros, and a short prayer that he writes to match the topic.
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things which have been accomplished among us, just as they were delivered to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for Read more…
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Read more…
Jesus said “I have said this to you, that in Me you may have pace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 Ok, ok, we got it, we need to be encouraging. But what about the things that perpetually discourage us? What Read more…
When you pass through the waters I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. Isaiah 43:2 Several years ago, we had the opportunity to vacation in Wyoming Read more…
When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Thy Son that the Son may glorify Thee, since Thou hast given him power over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom Thou hast given Him. And Read more…
For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost. And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called to him the elders of the church. Read more…
And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out for fear. But immediately He spoke to them, saying, “Take heart, it is I; Read more…
As they were saying this, Jesus Himself stood among them. But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I Read more…
In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up, after He had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen. To them He presented Himself alive after His Read more…
Then He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time Read more…
Jesus said this parable: “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rick; and as it grew up, it withered away, because it had Read more…
Sunday Epistles and Gospels Saturday, June 5 Being an Authentic Christian Will Bring Both Conflict and Peace In those days, as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by soothsaying. Read more…