Elder Arsenie Papacioc (d. July 19): On the Struggle to Pray
Question:
What can we do when we don’t pray attentively and are scattered when we do our work?
Father Arsenie:
If you get back up, it means you are not lost! Any misfortune doesn’t mean anything. Nothing is lost if your faith stays upright, if you lift your head again and don’t let your soul resign! I keep repeating this: don’t be lost! If you see that you haven’t done something you were supposed to do, it doesn’t mean you are lost. You are still in a good position. Because if you weren’t in a good position, you wouldn’t have noticed you did something wrong. You were already in a good position; it is just that you had a great zeal that surpassed your strength – we all have it – and you wanted to do more. But no! You just sweep the floor! Keep silent, and don’t judge anyone. If you did not say anything bad about anyone, that was the greatest thing you did that day! But fight!
Question:
What does it mean for a monk to have humility? And how can one reach humility?
Father Arsenie:
First of all, this is a question that nobody can answer. All our Holy Fathers have talked in superlative terms about humility, because we cannot talk about it with half measures. They say: “It means to see yourself below all other creatures.” That is to say, the worst sinner!
Yes, but the worm is a creature, too. And the snake. Should you see yourself below them? Here is how: these creatures don’t stay idle; they move around and strive to exist, to live; they seek food and other things. In other words, they make sure they survive. Are you making sure?
Question:
Yes, and what about spiritual life?
Father Arsenie:
Yes…and what kind of creature are you, after all? A humble person never sees oneself as humble! But I have been telling people we are not talking about mixed humility, as in: “He is humble, but a little proud of it!” We are talking about true humility, humble humility! I should not say that I am nothing. I am a creature that can pray, so I am something! But others are better than me! Simple arithmetic, right? One plus one is two. If you make a mistake, divide two by two, and the result is one, which means you!
Question:
One can reach a divine measure in a single day, from morning until night!
Father Arsenie:
It is not possible without humility! Do not fool yourselves! Keep close to the Church, go to the services, and, of course, obey your spiritual father. It says in the Paterikon that one achieves things by asking. But not banalities. Maybe you were bewildered by something in your struggle.
There is no Christian, and of course, no monk, who is not tempted while praying. The devil tempts everyone. But do not give up, and do not get discouraged! God likes your struggle. He already knows what you want, and you will receive it! But do not give up! If you see the temptation and give in, start over again.
Question:
But I am troubled by this, because it often happens that I fall asleep!
Father Arsenie:
Do not become agitated! Keep calm! You still manage to say something. This is the attack of the devil on all fronts. All Christians I have ever met - monks included, believe me - have told me that their mind becomes distracted during prayer. Everyone has temptations. Satan comes because he doesn’t like this at all. This is a good sign that we are doing something that God likes. However, Satan doesn’t like it. But start thinking about vain things, and he will not stop you!
Fight continuously! God will not let us down. We are receiving help, but the devil also has the power to tempt us. And that is it. He has no other power. Do not make the mistake of cursing him! Do not enter into a dialogue with the devil. You do not talk to the devil. You take refuge in the prayer because he flees from prayer, from the power of Christ’s name. Say, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner,” always!
Question:
But I say the prayer “Lord, Jesus Christ…” once or twice, and then it vanishes from my mind. I told this to Father Cleopa, too, and he said: “Pay attention to this because the enemy steals the prayer from your mind, but you should keep saying it! This is your fight!”
Father Arsenie:
You must not become troubled. Satan likes a state of agitation. And then you cannot get back to normal.
Let me tell you what obedience is. I was hiding in the forest with Father Cleopa, and a heavy rain started; we were in an area with just a few trees, not that tall. We began to look for shelter; I went to one side, and Father Cleopa went to another. At some point, he called me to go to him, about 100 feet from where I was; he insisted. I thought my spot was better protected, but then I said to myself: “Wait a minute, why don’t I listen to Father Cleopa!” And I ran to where he was. Instantly, a lightning strike fell on the tree where I was sheltering before. I was impressed by this…How important obedience is!
Translated from “Elder Arsenie speaks to us, Vol. 2”, Episcopia Romanului Press, 1997