We are halfway through our virtual visits to monasteries and this week will be guided through the spirituality and history of Optina monastery in Russia by Dr Anna Rogozhina. Our visit will be on Thursday 20 August at 19:00 BST (7pm, London time). Join us!

If you have not already registered for the series, send your name and email address via the page below and you will be sent the Zoom details for the session. Recordings of previous sessions are also linked from this page: https://forerunner.org.uk/summer-series-2020/.

O Lord, grant me to meet everything that this coming day may bring me with spiritual peace. Grant me to surrender myself gladly to Thy holy will. In every hour of this day, support me in all my undertakings. Teach me to accept whatever news I may receive in the course of the day with peace of soul and with the firm conviction that Thy holy will is in all things. In all my words and actions, direct my thoughts, feelings and senses. In all unforeseen events, grant me not to forget that everything is sent by Thee. Teach me to act frankly and reasonably with everyone I meet, that none may be disturbed or embittered. O Lord, give me strength to bear the fatigue of the coming day and all that may happen in the course of the day. Guide my will, and teach me to pray, to believe, to hope, to suffer, to forgive and to love. Amen

Morning prayer of the Optina Elders