Chapter 137

How to Compose Your Own Rule (137)

You want rules. I wrote you: take the small prayers of St. John Chrysostom—24. If that is little, add from “Have mercy on me, O God” the verses up to “Restore to me the joy of salvation...” That is another 12–13. From the supplicatory litany compose prayers—6: “The day is ended...” “An angel of peace...”—You can compose them yourself. The toll-collectors’ tone: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” The cry on the ship: “Lord, save us, we are perishing!”

Gather about three, four, or five dozen of them. Repeat them 10 times, and this will be your rule—morning and evening.

Your prayers, the ones you wrote out, are very good, but long. You can insert them among the shorter ones, but it is not obligatory, and when they come to mind. But the main thing is to turn to the Savior with every spiritual need. Awaken faith that he is near and hears. And tell him your need. Do this more often, and it will come.

(Letter 191. Vol. 1, p. 234)