To guard love, the pinnacle of
virtues, diligence in prayer is an immediate spiritual necessity. Struggle in
prayer if you want our Christ to dwell in you, and He, the most experienced
general, will struggle together with you. He will fight for us and grant us the
victory. We become like roaring lions when we get a good grip on the prayer—not
when we pray carelessly or lukewarmly, but with strength of soul! Invigorate
yourselves with the thought that the prayer is everything. Without the prayer,
expect a general decline, going from one fall to another. If we hold on to the
prayer with all our strength during temptations, we will certainly overcome the
devil and we shall ascribe the victory to the all-holy name of Christ.
The ingredients that make prayer
savory
Cry out the name of God; He is ready to help everyone who asks. Do not
forget the prayer; man’s entire being is sanctified by the prayer. It is the
only thing which those who do not struggle to the point of shedding blood are
unable to do. What is more beautiful than prayer! Whoever prays is enlightened
and comes to know the will of God. And how does he know it? When he prays well,
of course. And when does he pray well? When he sends his prayers to God with
all the right ingredients. And what are the ingredients that make prayer
savory? Humility, tears, self-reproach, simplicity, and especially obedience
with love. Prayer sheds light, and this light shows the right path which God
wills. The prayer should be said without flagging; by praying thus you will
remain invulnerable on all sides. When you find yourselves in a state of
passionate thoughts, resume the prayer eagerly and assiduously, and immediately
you will find relief. Hold on to the Jesus prayer steadfastly.
Pray with the Jesus prayer constantly
We live in this vain world, but it must not attract and engross our
heart so as to deaden its spiritual stamina and separate it from its Maker and
God. Therefore, we ought to pray constantly, my child, in order to communicate
ceaselessly with our Christ and draw spiritual strength from Him, so that we
may face every demonic attack victoriously. Pray with the Jesus prayer, and He,
the wonder-working Lord, first of all will forgive us the multitude of our
sins, and secondly, by His grace will help us defeat the flesh, the world, and
the devil— our three great enemies. Moreover, prayer is the provider of joy and
peace in God. Consider how much we need joy of soul and especially divine joy.
Therefore, let us see to it that at all costs we take advantage of all our
spare time and utilize it for prayer.
Selected from the letters and
homilies of Elder Ephraim of Arizona
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