PRAYER SHOULD FILL THE WHOLE LIFE: It is necessary to store the fruits of prayer. We very often destroy them, they are lost because of idleness immediately after the prayers and by daydreams which is the same as idle talk, but only with oneself. Silence after prayer is very useful: it holds prayer in mind, heart, and even on the lips themselves aloud. Not only for a monk, but for a layman who clings to the monastic life and therefore becomes close, as if native to the spirit of monasticism, experiential, as dear to him is committing to a domestic rule of prayer. Not everyone can often commit to daily prayer. But compel yourself to prayer, even if only mental, if people around you make it impossible to pray aloud. It is possible to start and finish all your work and activity while the mind gives offering to God. It is not beneficial to have a sidelined attitude to prayer. I prayed, read what was prescribed, and I am free. I served my duty. Such prayer does not give good fruits. And such a prayer happens with those who limit their appeal to God to only following rules or going to church, but do not strive to prayer to fill and light up their lives, their deeds. This desired attitude toward prayer is not immediately reached for years but it is the goal to achieve this; so it is necessary to compel yourself, because you need to constantly consider yourself a debtor to God, as in all the virtues, and in prayer. Since it is necessary to acquire the consciousness of the need for heartfelt prayer, and not to banish the prayerful mood, we must protect ourselves from all irreverent words and deeds, from anything that violates the peace of soul, which is not in good conscience, not according to the law of God. (Advice of Venerable Nikon of Optina to his spiritual children)
Posted on: Thu, 13 Mar 2014 15:43:00 +0000
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