Conversion to Christ is always the very first step, and it always begins with prayer.

For the Orthodox Christian, it is not simply a one time affair. Conversion must take place daily. Why? Because we are tempted to sin every day. We pray daily, because prayer is the breath of life to the human spirit. To commit one's life to following the Lord Jesus Christ is a big step, but a wonderful first step in a new direction. There is a very great difference between the way of life of an Orthodox Christian, and the way of death.

We sometimes get a good look at our lives, what we've done, and what we have not done, and all the sins we have immersed ourselves in - and it is not a pretty sight. The Spirit gives us strength to turn from our old life, and embrace a new life, filled with promise and light, and the genuine hope that there is something vital, and that we belong to it. This turning away from our old ways is called repentance, and without repentance there is no forgiveness of sins.

Sin is real, and it is deadly.

Abandoning our own feeble attempts to set things aright, turning from the world and its passions and temptations, opens up our hearts to a glorious new beginning. We pray for God to guide us, and send us good to where we can find good guides for our new path.

This is the beginning of discipleship in Christ. Next, one becomes a Catechumen, or learner of the ways of Christ.

CLICK HERE to discover more about being a Catechumen.