Bumping this thread, since it's been quiet lately and I've barely managed to go more than three days between relapses lately. On the plus side, I chanted an Orthodox Canon of Repentance in the open air today. I always love to worship in God's creation.
Oh most definitely. I've had similar experiences. It can be hard to remember. Thanks for the reminder, though! I've put up two new icons in my dorm room. I have a single room, so temptation becomes easier to act upon. The first is an icon of St. John the Long-Suffering of the Kiev Caves, whose biography I linked to earlier. He's been a particularly inspiring saint for overcoming sexual temptation. I put him on the inside of my door, which faces East and is directly behind where I normally have my laptop on my desk. The other icon is the Christ of Sinai icon, one of the oldest icons of Christ in the Pantokrator depiction. It hangs over my bed, also facing East. I will sometimes use porn while lying on the bed, so this will hopefully be a protection and a source of encouragement to abstain. Furthermore, it has the added benefit of allowing me to wake up to the face of Christ every morning.
This forum is going to be a blessing for me. Is it still active? Seems all the posts are old. I'm 45 orthodox since birth. Went to snd finished seminary. Lived on Mt Athos as a novice for 3 months. Interested in meeting any orthodox buddies here
Hi @RdrMGK69 I'm Greek Orthodox, 17. Hi. Though I don't have as much knowledge and wisdom as others. My father has been to Mt. Athos. Welcome
@RdrMGK69 Hi! I'm a Coptic/Syriac Orthodox catechumen (convert from Protestantism), 20. I'm so jealous that you went to Mt. Athos! What was it like?
I failed again today. The brazenness of my actions astounds me sometimes. At any rate, I will pray for forgiveness, pick myself up and try again. I'm looking into getting an accountability partner. Also, the Nativity Fast begins tomorrow. As such, I intend to re-dedicate myself to my goal, and remain PMO-free for the entire 40 days leading up to Christmas. I'll re-assess and plan my next challenge from there. Does anyone want to join me in this? We could maybe pair it with some kind of devotional or prayer challenge.
On that note, I also found this prayer by St. Isaac the Syrian, one of my favorite saints. It's a prayer of repentance: “At the door of Your compassion do I knock, Lord; send aid to my scattered impulses which are intoxicated with the multitude of the passions and the power of darkness. You can see my sores hidden within me: stir up contrition—though not corresponding to the weight of my sins, for if I receive full awareness of the extent of my sins, Lord, my soul would be consumed by the bitter pain from them. Assist my feeble stirrings on the path to true repentance, and may I find alleviation from the vehemence of sins through the contrition that comes of Your gift, for without the power of Your grace I am quite unable to enter within myself, become aware of my stains, and so, at the sight of them be able to be still from great distraction.”
That's a pretty nice prayer. Don't know much about st. Isaac the Syrian but I'm thinking about looking him up. Good luck on your new goal, will keep you in my prayers.
Struggling but still at it. Relapsed today. My general record seems to be around 5 days or so, although a couple years ago I went off for almost all of Lent. I want to get back to those levels. May God grant us all grace.
Also, does anyone know whether groups are functional yet? I keep seeing new ones being added, including a new one for Muslim Fapstronauts, but whenever I try to create one, it won't let me click on a category to get started. I like having the thread for now, but if groups work it would be cool if we could have one. Also, on an unrelated note, I found a beautiful rendering of the Greek Paschal hymn online. I know it's out of season, but the Incarnation, the Crucifixion and the Resurrection are, of course, intimately connected. Praying that God Himself in Christ will be born into our suffering and struggles anew as we remember His birth, that we would die with Him to our old selves and that He would raise us up with His glorious Divinity. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1733308003568883
Hi brothers and sisters, just checking in after an absence. I hope you are all going well. Today is a beautiful Feast and the start of the Year of Mercy. I feel it's a real opportunity for me to keep going as I've started. God Bless you all!