Chapter 158

Temptation From the Enemy

At first it is hard, and seems like some absurdity, affectation, and there are so many unfavorable thoughts about this work! The main thing is to place the mind in the heart before the Lord and stand before Him continuously day and night until the end of life. Make a small effort. The length of study of the lesson and duty is short, depending on faith and zeal. Do not grow weak. There will be suspicion toward the one advising, and displeasure with the work of prayer itself: blasphemy against it, weakness, desire to abandon it—precisely because it is difficult. Beware! Do not listen, keep your work. The enemy above all sows blasphemy against this prayer. For then fire burns him and drives him away. He has no approach to the person in whose heart the Jesus Prayer is rooted. The most sweet name of the Lord, sounding ceaselessly and speaking in the heart, will even without your awareness strike him.