Chapter 149

On the Same Subject (149)

I suggest to you – not to make one brief prayer, but to gather several, and then use them morning and evening – and sometimes during the day. On the first place put: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Then: the 24 little prayers of Saint Chrysostom (in the prayers before sleep); next: Have mercy on me, O God – up to – restore to me the joy of salvation… (See: Ps 50) – Finally, turn the proclamations from the litany of supplication into prayers: “This day (or evening, or night)… holy, peaceful and sinless, grant, O Lord… An angel of peace… Forgiveness and remission of sins grant, O Lord…” and so forth – 6 prayers. If you wish, choose from the psalms prayerful and penitential invocations.

Learn all of this with understanding of the meaning and feeling. And then use them, limiting your entire prayer rule to them alone. In the morning read the beginning prayers up to “Rising from sleep, I thank you, O Holy Trinity” and so on to the end, and begin to recite the brief little prayers. In the evening read “O eternal God…” and again the prayers. Conclude your prayer service with invocations to the Lord concerning your present needs, both inner and outer.

When you are pronouncing the prayers – always keep both your thought and your feeling with the words. The little prayers can be said quickly, but set yourself to repeat each one no fewer than three times, or even 5–10, depending on your zeal.

This is your rule for your whole life; if you fulfill it well – soon you will see its fruit. God bless! – Never hurry!

(Letter 967. Vol. 6, p. 82)