In this talk we reflect on a prayer heard during the Presanctified Liturgy that calls us “sinful and useless servants.” At first, these words can sound harsh. Why would the Orthodox Church speak about human beings in this way?

The answer reveals something important about Orthodox Christianity. The Church teaches that we come to Christ because we are broken and in need of healing. Orthodox worship speaks honestly about sin so that we will turn toward the mercy of God.

The services of Great Lent especially remind us that the Church is a spiritual hospital. Christ is the physician of our souls. Through prayer, repentance, and the sacraments, He slowly restores our hearts.

When we feel overwhelmed by our struggles, the answer is not to run away from God. The answer is to run toward Him. The Church invites us to come, stand before Ch ...