My child.....

“My child, try to complete your morning prayers, do your prostrations, and read the Gospel. In the evening read the Supplicatory Canon. Before retiring for the night, say your prayers again and do your prostrations. Remember God constantly! Always keep Him in mind. Say the Jesus Prayer and expel evil thoughts.” When someone carries out these directions, he fills the page of each day with earnings. If, however, you never go to consult with a spiritual father, and he does not put things in order for you, then as the spool of life is slowly reeled in, you will reach the end of your rope, and you will not have many things in your possession. This is why a person’s life is enriched when he is obedient to a spiritual father. At some point in the future, such a person will appear before God full of virtues, as a tree whose branches are heavy and abounding with plentiful fruit.

Elder Ephraim of Arizona