“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.
Jesus said, “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 and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a Read more
Brethren, knowing that a man is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law, because by works of the law shall no Read more
“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:35 For this morning’s message, I want to share with you a reflection I read in a book entitled “Rediscover Jesus” by Matthew Kelly: It was the biggest meeting Read more
When the chief priests and the officers saw Him, they cried out, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!” Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves and crucify Him, for I find no crime in Him.” The Jews answered Him, “We have a law, and by that law He ought to die, because Read more
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart.” Where is the Read more
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. I John 4:18 People of different personalities can successfully co-exist. So can people with different interests, different sports teams, and plenty of other differences. In Florida, where I live, it can be sunny and rainy at the same time. One Read more
And cause Thy whole nation and every tribe to know and understand that Thou art God, the God of all power and might, and that there is no other who protect the people of Israel but Thou alone! Judith 9:14 As we do each year on September 11, we Read more
Jesus said, “No one has ascended into heaven but He who descended from heaven, the Son of man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life.” For God so loved Read more
See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For Read more
Now as they went on their way, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to His teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to Him and Read more
Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the test of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 No one likes “trials”—none of us wants to end Read more
Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. I Corinthians 16:13-14 I’m amazed how much “oomph” can be packed into only a few words of Scripture. Just goes to show that you don’t necessarily have to meditate on Read more