Chapter 119

The Rule Can Be Changed by Whoever Established It

As far as I could understand, you desire to shorten your four-hour private rule, replacing it with a briefer personal prayer. And you ask how to position yourself.

I cannot answer you directly on this question, not knowing how your life has gone, and where your rule came from, and what your inner prayer is, which you are so eager about. If you yourself determined your private rule, then it is in your power to change it in any way. But if it was given to you by someone with whom you previously consulted about your affairs, then about changing this rule you must speak with him as well. It can be changed, but propriety requires that you first ask.

The rule is not an essential part of prayer, but only its external form. The main work is — prayer of the mind and heart to God, offered with glorification, thanksgiving, and petition, and finally with complete surrender of yourself to the Lord. When there are such movements in the heart, there is prayer there, but when there are not, there is no prayer, even if you stood at the rule for whole days. Precisely this is what should occupy your attention. So continue striving to come to this. Ask, and you will find (Matt. 7:7). The Lord is near (Cf.: Ps 33:19,144,18).

(Letter 515. Vol. 3, p. 204)