Chapter 156

You Must Restore Inner Fervor

The moment inner fervor begins to diminish—hasten to restore it in its full strength. The Lord is near. Turning to Him with compassion and reverence, you will at once receive it.

Here especially, when the Jesus Prayer is suited: there it has its true power; moreover, your state can also be in its true form there with attention and feeling toward the Lord alone. Services in God’s temple are all about the divine, and endeavor to be there unfailingly. Above all guard yourself from distraction of thoughts and their scattering, and from passionate movements. The scattering of thoughts and any bodily pleasure or comfort in food and sleep—these are the first enemies, and in alliance with them is always irritation. Flee even the slightest movement of displeasure.

Moreover, the very work of preserving this state will teach you the necessity of choosing means and practices for it. When the desire arises to read, read only about prayer in the books you have. Choose such articles.

(Letter 517. Vol. 3, p. 207)