You mustn't pressurize the other person. His time will come as long as you pray for him.

 

Saint Porphyrios the Kapsokalyvite

 

Let our love be only in Christ. In order to benefit others you must live in the love of God, otherwise you are unable to do good to your fellow man. You mustn’t pressurize the other person. His time will come as long as you pray for him. With silence, tolerance and above all by prayer, we benefit others in a mystical way. The grace of God clears the horizon of his mind and assures him of His love. Here is the fine point. As soon as he accepts that God is love, then abundant light such as he has never seen will come upon him. Thus, he will find salvation.

 

When we see that the people around us have no love for God we are distressed. But with our distress we achieve nothing at all. Nor do we achieve anything by trying to persuade them to change their ways. That’s not right, either. There is a secret, however, and if we understand it, we will be able to help. The secret is our prayer and our devotion to God so that His grace may act. We, with our love, with our fervent desire for the love of God, will attract grace so that it washes over those around us and awakens them to divine love. Or rather God will send His love and will rouse them all. What we are unable to do, His grace will achieve. With our prayers, we will make all worthy of God’s love.

 

Reference:Elder Porphyrios. Wounded by Love: The Life and Wisdom of Elder Porphyrios Denise Harvey (Publisher): 2005.

 

Blessed St. Porphyrios, pray for us!