In the fourth century there lived a Christian monk in the deserts of Egypt and his name was Abba Agathon. All the other monks highly respected him because of his holiness and pious life. Once a very young monk came to him and asked himwhich virtue was the most difficult to practice in life. He answered with a beautiful smile: “Prayer.” He was a man who used to pray continuously for hours and hours every day, so the other monks really could not understand why he would say that or what he meant. Abba, since he was a very humble man, said, “Yes, prayer is the most difficult virtue to be practiced.” Then he explained: “We can do satisfaction with all other virtues, but in the case of prayer it is not like that. It is a struggle to keep the mind and heart fixed on God. In between, many thoughts intrude, and the devil tries his best to turn us away from prayer. That is why I said prayer is the most difficult virtue to practice. Whatever virtue we do, we can accomplish it more or less to satisfaction, but prayer is a battle to keep our minds and hearts fixed on God. And this battle will continue until death.” Abba Agathon was a holy man; if he finds praying very hard, if that is the case with him, what about us, the common people? Prayer will be a great battle as far as we are concerned.

During the War of Independence in India, the young Gandhi wrote in his autobiography: “Prayer is my life. Prayer saved me many times; otherwise, I would have been delirious (a mad man) long ago.” In his public life he had many bitter experiences as well as in his personal life. They, all of them, had driven him nearly crazy or near despair. But he was only able to get out of it through prayer. For him, prayer was his life. It was the important weapon—the weapon he used to wage war against himself and others.

Jesus showed us the best example in His own life. He used to go to lonely places and spent hours and hours with His heavenly Father in prayer. St. Paul tells us that prayer should be the most important weapon in our lives. Jesus tells us to pray without ceasing. Jesus told the parable of the judge and the widow telling us to pray without ceasing. Never ever get weary about prayer. Keep on praying or asking God—He can never abandon you or me. The friend got up and gave bread to his neighbor not because he had pity on him, but because he continuously asked him for it.
We get peace when we unite with God through prayer. St. Paul tells us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4: 6-7). Therefore, no matter how intelligent or active or courageous we are, we should not stop praying in our lives. We shall pray without ceasing and let us disturb our God, so that He will provide us all that we need. Ask and you will receive; knock and the door will be opened; search and you will find. Do not be afraid to kneel in prayer before God who can provide everything in our lives.

With gratitude, love and prayers,

Fr. Charley