Categories: uncategorized
Date: 12 July 2005 22:18:42
I'm still, slowly, making my way through Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov's The Arena. I'm finding it a truly great book, filled with wisdom and insight into the struggles of a Christian life and methods by which we can run the race. I find myself re-reading certain chapters as I long to read the words of wisdom again. The Arena is especially written for monastics, but is definitely accessible, and I think of great value and help, to lay people as well. And even though it was written in the 19th century, the wisdom is just as applicable today and the struggles we have are the same as those described.
Last night I was re-reading Chapter 48 - Concerning the Special Opposition of the Fallen Spirits to Prayer, and found these words especially striking and helpful in remembering that our struggle is not against flesh and blood and that prayer is warfare:
[note: Bishop Ignatius is writing to monks, and wrote in the 19th century, hence the constant use of the masculine; I pray any female readers do not take offence]
The devil employs all his efforts to hinder prayer or to make it powerless and ineffective. For this spirit, cast down from heaven for pride and rebellion against God, infected with incurable envy and hatred for the human race, burning with thirst for the destruction of men, sleeplessly engaged day and night in man's ruin, it is intolerable to see weak and sinful man detach himself by prayer from everything earthly, enter into conversation with God Himself and go out from this conversation sealed with the mercy of God, in hope of inheriting heaven and seeing even his frail body transformed into a spiritual body. This spectacle is unbearable for a spirit who is forever condemned to creep and crawl, as in mud and stench, in thoughts and feelings exclusively carnal, material, sinful, and who must finally be cast down and confined for all eternity in the prisons of hell. He raves and rages, uses cunning and hypocrisy, commits crimes and outrages. It is necessary to be attentive and wary. Only in extreme need, especially if obedience requires it, may the time appointed for prayer be given up to some other occupation. Without an extremely important reason never abandon prayer beloved brother! He who abandons prayer abandons his salvation; he who is careless about prayer is careless about his salvation; he who quits prayer renounces his salvation.The Arena, Bishop Ignatius Brianchaninov, Holy Trinity Monastery (1997), pp. 217-8
Brethren: "Amongst all good works, what is the virtue which requires the greatest effort?"
Abba Agathon: "Forgive me, but I think there is no labour greater than that of prayer to God. For every time a man wants to pray, his enemies, the demons, want to prevent him, for they know that it is only by turning him from prayer that they can hinder his journey. Whatever good work he undertakes, if he perseveres in it, he will attain rest. But prayer is warfare to the last breath."Sayings of the Desert Fathers
May we all pray without ceasing.