Chapter 49

The Labor of Remembering God

God Himself plants the remembrance of God in the soul. But for this the soul must itself labor and exhaust itself. Strive with all your strength, forcing yourself toward unceasing remembrance of God. And God, seeing how earnestly you desire this, will give you remembrance of Himself. Brief little prayers are very helpful for our own labor in remembering God. Prayers—any you wish: “Lord, have mercy on me! Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me! Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!” and others. Any will do. Use whichever appeals to you most.

(Letter 955, vol. 6, p. 47–49)