Flower Words of Advice

Despite the fact that the Elder, burdened with many illnesses, was lying on the bed, he found the strength to get up. He seemed a little nervous. "Nothing, say something else. You don't have to say all the time, "I'm a sinner, I'm a sinner." Talk to God in a different way. Say the Jesus Prayer. Didn't you realize that this was a temptation that you couldn't resist?"

Help them with your prayer

Once I had a desire to help some people in solving their serious problem, which the Elder noticed, while they knew nothing about it. But I was afraid that they might misunderstand me, be offended, and in the end, instead of benefiting, my intervention would only bring them spiritual harm. I expressed my thoughts to Father Porphyrios, and he replied to me: "Do not talk to them about this topic. They will surely be offended, condemn you, and thus sin. However, do not show indifference to them either. Help them from a distance with your prayer. Then they will not suffer any spiritual damage and will benefit more from your prayer than from your words." I followed the advice of the judicious Elder, and it brought me peace.

If we do not pray, our soul will not see the light of Christ

I was always amazed by the fact that Father Porphyrius devoted all his time either only to prayer or to work, again with prayer. I saw him talking to me, making phone calls, eating, drinking water, heating the stove, doing other things, and I knew that he was praying incessantly while doing all this. Just as he taught others to pray, so first of all he learned to pray himself.

One day he said to me, "There's an electric generator somewhere, and there's a light bulb in the room here. But if we don't press the switch, we'll be left in the dark. There is Christ, and there is our soul. But if we do not press the 'switch', then our soul will not see the light of Christ and will remain in satanic darkness." Everyone saw that the soul of the Elder was illumined day and night by the light of Christ, because his prayer was a "switch" that provided a continuous spiritual connection between the "electric generator" and the "lamp".

Unceasingly say the Jesus Prayer

Systematic practice of mental prayer presupposes, according to the teaching of Father Porphyrius, first, the presence of an experienced elder who will watch over the disciple; and secondly, the freedom of the ascetic from egoism, rancor, enmity, self-will, vanity, and similar passions. The Elder especially emphasized the need to perform the liturgical sequences of the Divine services handed down to us by the Holy Fathers. His instruction "Unceasingly say the Jesus Prayer" is addressed to all of us. But here we must have a discussion: this instruction does not imply the abolition of church rites. Also, we should not think that by saying several times: "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me," we will immediately achieve something.

Some people who, as the Elder saw, wanted to "learn" mental prayer out of egoism, in order to later boast about it in front of others or in secret

to revel in self-glorification, that they are practicing the highest prayer, he advised not to engage in mental prayer at all. Father Porphyrius gave many examples when people fell ill because they began to practice the Jesus Prayer "according to a plan", using various "methods", making prayer an end in itself, instead of humbly asking God to have mercy on them. Prayer should not be approached with a counting machine. It must fly from the soul itself. The one who prays cannot keep track of it, it pours out of him like the tears of a person overcome by tenderness, without any special effort. Of course, we must put work into prayer, but it should not be forced, compulsory. It is necessary to create an appropriate atmosphere. Read a spiritual book, cense incense, sing spiritual hymns, light a candle, concentrate. Let us give thanks, praise, ask God — and all this simply, non-violently, in simplicity of heart [141].

"Lord, Jesus Christ, have mercy on me" – these words contain everything

Once I asked the Elder to tell me how to pray, and, if possible, to reveal how he himself prays. He replied immediately...

"What do you accept prayer for?" Do you think it is dishes that are brought to you on order? Or that it's a prescription drug? I have already told you to seek only the salvation of your soul. Strive to become an heir to the eternal Kingdom of Heaven. And leave everything else to God. I will remind you once again of the words of the Gospel: Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you [142]. Isn't that enough for you? If it is not enough, or if it does not satisfy you, then limit yourself to mental prayer. For me, the words "Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me" contain everything. Undoubtedly more than for you. It is only necessary to pronounce them with faith, completely devoting oneself to prayer. During prayer, think that you are standing before the crucified Christ. Listen again: when you pray, turn your mind here to me. I will understand what you think of me, and I will pray for you with you. This is the best. So I advise you to pray.

"Geronda, but you didn't explain anything to me.