Shortest Prayer

Armodoxy for Today: The Shortest Prayer

The simplest prayer is one offered by the Armenian Church. You cannot attend an Armenian Church service without hearing the phrase, Der Voghormia multiple times, which means, “Lord have mercy.” It is the first and foremost prayer for Christians and non Christians. It is a prayer offered humbly and in humility. In saying those words, “Lord have mercy,” there is a denial of self – of ego. Focusing on God’s mercy becomes a model for us to exercise mercy.

A few centuries, while Armenians were being attacked, and even slaughtered by their oppressor, the Armenian Church added a hymn to its sacred Liturgy, named Der Voghormya. Lord have mercy, simple words that lose the self and connect to the Higher Realm. There was a reason why they add this hymn, a reason we find when we repeat those words, Lord have mercy.

Today’s one minute for Summertime.