Chapter 9

On the Unfolding of Prayer of the Intellect and Heart Through Church Services

^9.2.1 Please read everything written above.[1] Alexander, understand everything according to what is written. I believe all your perplexities will be resolved. You must attend all the church services. And I tell you, there is no better way to awaken the prayer of the intellect and heart than to be in church, at the church services. In the church services there is a spirit of prayer. Whoever stands through a service with attention to all that is read and sung cannot help but grow warm in a prayerful disposition. If it is so now, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, and so on. then at last a little flame of prayer will kindle in your heart. But when God grants this, then you will run to church as to a royal feast, and nothing will hold you back; only strive to attend to the church’s hymns and readings, for without attention nothing will come of it. Prostrations must necessarily accompany the Jesus Prayer, and the more of them, the better. If you are alone in your cell, then make prostrations frequently and do them as much as you wish with the Jesus Prayer. In the morning and evening, include them more often.

^9.3.1 Bishop Theophan.