Chapter 106
On the Power of Prayer and Spiritual Disposition
106.2.1 The mercy of God be with you, most reverend Father. Agapius!
106.3.1 Beyond what you see in the book you mentioned about the Jesus Prayer, I have nothing more to add for you. If that is not enough for you, then take the trouble to look through it yourself in that book, the one to which that book points.
106.4.1 And whatever seems insufficient even after that—ask your spiritual guides, whom God has given you: the abbot of your monastic community, your spiritual father, your godfather, and your brothers in faith.
106.5.1 I will say only this: the power lies not in the words of prayer, but in spiritual disposition—in the fear of God and in devotion to God, and in constant attention to God, and in noetic standing before God. The Jesus Prayer is only an aid, not the very essence of the matter.
106.6.1 Make it your aim to live in the remembrance of God and to walk in the presence of God—and this will lead you to a good end. Everything comes from the grace of God; without the grace of God, there is no way to acquire anything spiritual. Once grace touches the heart, then everything will proceed as it should.[1]
106.7.1 We have the Lord Saviour, who desires all to be saved; you must pester Him—and He will give. I read in the Philokalia how a certain man struggled for two years and succeeded in kindling a little flame in his heart.
106.8.1 May the Lord bless you!
106.9.1 I won’t settle your questions. Your spiritual guides, whom God has given you, must settle them for you.
106.10.1 Be saved!
106.11.1 I ask for your prayers.
106.12.1 Bishop Theophan.
106.13.1 .