“If you feel that you are overwhelmed by the amount of work before you and by the difficulties involved, do not permit indolence to discourage you. Begin with what demands your immediate attention and do not think of the rest. Be very diligent, for when this is well done, the remainder will follow with much less trouble than you had anticipated.” WorkSinVicesDiligenceSlothSpiritual WarfarePassionsVirtues Book:The Spiritual Combat and a Treatise on Peace of Soul Source: The Spiritual Combat and a Treatise on Peace of Soul
“You should always say your prayers with tireless diligence, as the Apostle directs, saying: 'Continue in prayer and watch in the same' (Col. 4:2). For humble patience, tirelessness and persistence in prayer conquer the unconquerable God and incline Him to mercy.” ShouldChristianPrayerWatchesMercyHumbleConquerPersistenceOrthodoxOur PrayersApostlesDiligenceOrthodox ChristianInclineUnconquerable Author:Lorenzo Scupoli
“... if a man prays God for some virtue, and at the same time gives himself up to negligence, acquiring no definite means to gain this virtue, and making no effort towards it, truly this man tempts God, rather than prays. Thus the divine James says: 'The effectual prayer of a righteous man avails much' (Jms. 5:16). What avails to make prayer effective? is when, besides begging a saint to pray for him about something, the man also prays about it himself and with all diligence does everything necessary for obtaining his request.” IfsMenGivingMeanDoeChristianPrayerEffortVirtueDivineHe ManPrayingGainsSaintOrthodoxRighteousDefiniteRequestDiligenceBeggingOrthodox ChristianPraying To GodObtainingNegligenceRighteous Man Author:Lorenzo Scupoli
“Watch yourself with all diligence, lest the enemy steals near and robs you, depriving you of this great treasure, which is inner peace and stillness of soul. The enemy strives to destroy the peace of the soul, because he knows that when the soul is in turmoil it is more easily led to evil. But you must guard your peace.” KnowsSoulChristianEvilEnemyWatchesStriveInner PeaceTreasureStealingOrthodoxStillnessStrifeDiligenceOrthodox ChristianTurmoilDepriving Author:Lorenzo Scupoli
