Chapter 27
On Prayer and Patience in Afflictions
27.2.1 May the mercy of God be with you!
27.3.1 You have much affliction. I grieve that it is so. But there is no way to help this except through patience, with hope in the mercy of God. Everything comes from God—both what is pleasant and what is unpleasant. We must give thanks for everything. For even what is unpleasant is sent for our good: for purification, for humility, for strengthening a good character and hope in God. But you must not complain. Endure this time, and bright days will come. Be of good cheer...
27.4.1 How should you read the little prayers of Saint Chrysostom? (the twenty-four in the evening prayers before sleep). Read them before your prayer rule, so that your attention gathers into one... But also repeat them mentally at any time. This is the best way to train yourself in the remembrance of God; and this remembrance is the foundation of the spiritual life. Make waist bows, and sometimes full prostrations.
27.5.1 Say the Jesus Prayer in full and in part: “Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!” and in shortened form: “Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me!” – “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!” – This great prayer, the most important of the short ones, should be repeated more often than the others, sometimes in full, sometimes in parts.
27.6.1 Should I read the canon to the Guardian Angel? Yes, read it. But when you’re weak or have much to do, instead of reading the canon, offer a little prayer to him: “Angel of God, my holy Guardian, pray to God for me, a sinner” – fifty times, with prostrations as you are able (that is, make full prostrations or waist bows as you choose).[1] In this way you can replace all the canons with these little prayers. But you must hold your attention not merely on the words themselves, but on the corresponding thoughts and feelings that accompany them.
27.7.1 Labor in prayer. Prayer is the source of consolation, the enlightenment of thoughts, and the strengthening of a good character. I am sending you some books: one copy of the Unseen Warfare, which I am enclosing for Mrs. N. I am including several small pamphlets. You may distribute them to whomever you wish. Books: one copy of *The Path to Salvation*, one of *Letters on the Christian Life*, two of *Unseen Warfare*, one of *On Repentance, Confession…*, one collection of ascetic writings, two copies of the lessons of Venerable Simeon the Reverent; pamphlets: *Five Homilies on the Path to Salvation*, *Two Words on Baptism*, *Seven Words on Perfect Conversion…*, *Three Words on Bearing the Cross*, *Four Words on Prayer*, on encouragement to patience, on driving out pride, on the eternity of torments, examples of recording thoughts.[2]
27.8.1 May the Lord bless you!
27.9.1 Be saved!
27.10.1 God’s blessing upon Mrs. N., Father Protodeacon, and Mother Abbess.
27.11.1 Bishop Theophan.
27.12.1 .