Chapter 37
On Short Prayers and Unceasing Prayer
37.2.1 The mercy of God be with you!
37.3.1 I am very much at fault before you. I ask you to excuse and forgive me. I kept thinking I’d manage to write in the next post... that is, in a week... But the weeks kept flying by—and look how many have flown past. I will read your letters again and write in response to them whatever God puts on my heart. The first unanswered one is from October 4... Mine to you was from October 11. But that one wasn’t a reply to yours, just a letter that happened to cross in the mail... In that letter you congratulate me on my name day—but October 11 is not my name day. My name day is March 12, Theophanes the Confessor of Sigriane. Then you mention that prayer is always with you and doesn’t allow you to think or talk much about vanity, but you’re still struggling with laziness and weariness. Glory to God! Give thanks to Him for prayer, for all things are from Him... and ask for strength for the struggle against what opposes the good. The second letter is from October 25. This is probably a reply to mine from October 11, since your opening lines contain thanksgiving for the letter. Then you say about yourself: ‘Glory to God that it hasn’t yet occurred to me to value myself’ – that is, that you have no self-esteem… This is very good… And keep yourself in this state. But watch out… self-esteem is cunning, like a demon… May the Lord enlighten you! You write that you have no self-esteem because your soul is entirely striving to glorify the Lord – and you feel how it is drawn to Him with your whole being. This is a very good, normal state… The feeling that your soul is drawn to the Lord is hidden prayer, and it alone can replace reciting prayers… For it is unceasing prayer!
37.4.1 Here is the conclusion from the whole Philokalia for you. Dedicate every breath to pure prayer and watch closely from where the enemy directs his arrows, and act accordingly… This conclusion is the true one… Please be so. In Anastasius of Sinai this forms the first point of his ascetic instructions. Still, you do remind the sisters about spiritual matters, despite their coldness toward them. And so it should be: some don’t pay attention, but others listen with zeal and lay good intentions in their hearts. Handwork should not interfere with prayerful watchfulness. There is a time for everything... When you’re occupied with handwork in its proper time, then let your hands work while your soul prays... But when you’re at prayer... all your members should take part in it... You wish to remember my parents in prayer! I thank you! My father was Father Basil, and my mother was Tatiana. Your last letter was from December 13. I give thanks for your greetings for the feast, which is now already upon us rather than awaited. I congratulate you and your whole monastic community... May the Lord grant all of you to taste of the blessings brought to earth by the Son of God who became incarnate for our salvation. Though you dealt strictly with the sisters, you were just! When you’re very tired, then lie down and pray... keeping your spirit calm... That which happens with you, that draws you to the Lord... guard it... With this one can even live alone and be saved.
37.5.1 May the Lord bless you!
37.6.1 Be saved!
37.7.1 Bishop Theophan.
37.8.1 P. S. I’m sending you a book: the ancient monastic rules!
37.9.1