The Athonite elder Kirik taught how to correctly pray for the success of every undertaking: “Do not begin any undertaking first, even the smallest and most insignificant, until you call on God to help you accomplish this undertaking. The Lord said: “Without Me you cannot do anything,” that is, neither say nor think. In other words: without Me you have no right to do any good deed! And therefore, one must call on God’s gracious help either in words or mentally:
God bless! Lord help me! Without God's help we cannot do anything useful or saving; and if we do anything without asking God for gracious help for our work, then we only reveal our spiritual pride and resist God. But by calling on the name of God we receive a blessing from the Lord... At every smallest task and the beginning of this task: whether we are walking on a level place or on a rough road (this word means our various kinds of affairs and activities in all types and kinds) - always cry out to the Lord for help, otherwise there will be no prosperity.”
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