Akathist to Jesus Christ Light of Those in Darkness - English - Orthodox Christian Prayer

Akathist to Jesus Christ, Light to Those in Darkness Eventually everyone comes to dwell in darkness. Sooner or later, disaster strikes all the children of men, and we suffer heartbreak, loss, bereavement, and pain. It may come dramatically with a doctor&announcement, saying that he has some bad news from the test results, or it may come unexpectedly with a visit from a policeman, saying that a loved one was involved in a tragedy. Suffering may come with divorce, or trouble with erring children. It may come as chronic pain from a debilitating disease; it may come as a depression that will not lift. One may suffer a loving friend and support moving away, or one may move away oneself, finding isolation in a strange and bewildering new place. Pain may come from a broken romance, or loneliness from failure to find a life partner. But eventually, everyone comes to dwell in darkness. It is just at that time that we need to turn to Jesus, the one and only Light of the world and the only rescue for those in the darkness of pain and despair. When we pass through those times of pain that wring the heart, we are called not to break down but to break through. Just as there is a sound barrier, so there is a kind of praise barrier; we break through the darkness by offering praise to God. Praise at such times is not offered as the fruit of a contented and happy mood. Such praise is not the result of a feeling. It is offered in the teeth of feelings of pain and in spite of the emotional...