Chapter 89

Make it a Law Not to Hurry

Your conscience troubles you about the hurried performance of your prayers. And rightly so. Why do you listen to the enemy? It is the enemy who drives you: “Faster, quicker.” And because of this you get no fruit from prayer. But make it a law not to hurry; instead pronounce the prayers so that not a single word is uttered without consciousness of its meaning and, as much as possible, its feeling. Take up this labor with firm resolve, like a commanding general, so that no objection arises against it. The enemy suggests: “You need this and that,” but you answer: “I know without you; go away.” See how your prayer will go. Otherwise your prayer-words are only words, and you have no prayer. The soul is nourished by prayer alone. That is why you feel unsatisfied.

Check by the clock how much time passes if you do not hurry, and you will see it is only a few minutes. And what is the harm of haste?!!

(Letter 763. Vol. 5, p. 16)