Chapter 31
On the Prayer of the Intellect and Heart to God
31.2.1 The mercy of God be with you!
31.3.1 D... M...
31.4.1 Most honourable mother, as far as I could make out, you wish to shorten your four-hour cell rule, replacing it with a shorter prayer of your own. And you ask: how should you position yourselves?
31.5.1 I cannot answer your question directly without knowing how your life has unfolded, where your rule comes from, and what your interior prayer is like—the very thing you are so zealous about. If you have set your cell rule for yourself, then you have the power to change it in any way you wish. But if it was given to you by someone you consulted with before about your affairs, then you should discuss any change to this rule with that person. You can change it, but propriety requires that you ask first.
31.6.1 A rule is not an essential part of prayer; it is only its outward aspect. The main thing is noetic prayer of intellect and heart to God, offered with doxology, thanksgiving, and petition... and finally with complete surrender of oneself to the Lord. When such movements are in the heart, prayer is there too; but when they are not, there is no prayer either, even if you were to stand through your entire rule for days on end. You have in fact directed proper attention to this very thing. So continue to strive to reach this. Seek, and you will find. The Lord is near. You love the Lord, as you have written, so turn to Him with all your needs, as a child to the Father.[1] If you acquaint me with your life, with your interior life and write to me what your rule consists of, then perhaps I might be able to say something to you.
31.7.1 May the Lord bless you!
31.8.1 Be saved!
31.9.1 Your well-wisher, Bishop Theophan.
31.10.1 .