179. Перед началом молитвы приводи себе на память грехи и оплакивай их. Когда ощущаешь от молитвы радость и покой, считай себя недостойною сего дара Божия. Как молиться за обидящих

Most venerable Mother of the Treasurer Magdalene in the Lord! I received your letter and, due to weakness and lack of time, I answer you briefly. When you start to pray, you bring your sins to mind and mourn them. “That’s how you need to pray.” Then sometimes you feel peace and joy and think that it is from the enemy. But if there is joy from the enemy, then, as St. Fathers, discordant, not imparting peace and silence to the soul. And do not be surprised that the Lord gives you peace and silence in prayer, for this is not always due to dignity, but due to the unknown destinies of God. And therefore, when you feel such joy and peace, consider yourself in every possible way unworthy of this gift of God and reproach yourself in every possible way before the Lord because, due to your negligence, you cannot keep this gift in yourself, and soon you lose it. During fervent prayer, you want to be seen praying. “It’s the demons who instill thoughts of vanity.” It's good that you don't stop at them. And henceforth they must be despised. After the Lord’s Prayer “Our Father,” you can say “For Yours is the Kingdom,” abbreviated as: “For Yours is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen". Or: “Through the prayers of the saints, our Fathers.” Treat your cell attendant the same way you treat him. When she is angry, do not speak to her until she speaks, of course, without having any malice against her. Asking for you and your cell attendant peace and God’s blessing, I remain with sincere goodwill P.S. Sorry! I heard that out of forgetfulness I wrote your name wrong before. You should pray for those who hate and offend like this: “Save, Lord, and have mercy on your servant, my beloved sister (name), and for the sake of her holy prayers, have mercy on me, a damned sinner.” You might be interested in: