Chapter 180

On the Number of Bows

The bows during the Jesus Prayer are left to your own will and fervor. At the small knots make a waist bow, and at the large ones a full bow. How many? As many as pleases your soul, yet determining this once and for all. Better to set a fixed time for this prayer: a quarter hour or longer or shorter.

Night is the best time for prayer, especially midnight.

(Letter 113. Volume 1, p. 113)