Chapter 68

Strive to Form a Wound in Your Heart

When prayer comes not gathered and the soul is cold, you should not set a limit or end to it. As fallen beings, we have grown cold, and it takes a long time for us to rub ourselves to warm up. Labor is therefore unavoidable. And if it continues constantly and wisely, it is always crowned with success—not from us, but from the mercy of God, which has no end.

Whether the Jesus Prayer or some other short prayer—it’s a good thing if it sticks to the tongue. Just take care that your attention is not in the head but in the heart, and be there not only during time of prayer but at all times. Strive to form a wound of sorts in your heart… Constant labor will soon accomplish this. There’s nothing special about it. It’s a natural thing (the wound shows itself as a kind of ache). But from this too there will be more gathering of attention. And the chief thing is that the Lord, seeing the labor, grants help and His grace-filled prayer. Then right order will come into the heart.

(Letter 326. Vol. 2, pp. 198–199; Letter 1233. Vol. 8, p. 14)