Prayer must bring steadfastness in good


Perhaps some of you have read the confessions of the Russian pilgrim, about his inner feelings, in connection with the prayer “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” There, they insist on a certain number of prayers, first 3000, then 6000, then 12000, and so on. It is a method, in fact. I do not believe that we should count our prayers.

You should know that I am not afraid to go before God and that God will tell me: Okay, okay, but you should know that you could have said “Lord Jesus” a million more times and you did not. I am sure.

When I got to Theology, the subject of this prayer came up, and someone said to me: “Brother, wait, you cannot do something like this without a guide, you need a guide, a confessor!” And I have not found a guide either before or since. For example, if I went to a father who was considered to have an improved life, a great name, and a lot of knowledge, he told me all the knowledge from books. I can read those from books myself; he doesn’t have to tell me what John of Valaam says, what this person who is locked up said, and what Ignatius Brancianinov said.

I am interested in the experience, what it brought to you, who says, “Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Did it bring you clarity of mind? Did it bring you peace of mind? Did it bring you the desire to pray? Did it bring you the desire for God? Did it bring you the ability to avoid the causes of sins? Did it bring you firmness in the knowledge of God and the removal of evil thoughts? Has it brought you steadfastness in good? Has it brought you the desire for good? Has it brought you the desire to surpass yourself? These are the things that prayer brings, prayer all the time, and any prayer.

Archimandrite Teofil Părăian

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