Thursday, February 19, 2009
warfare
Abba John prayed to God to take his passions away from him so that he might become free from care. In fact, Abba John went and told one of the elders this: "I find myself in peace, without an enemy," he said.
And the elder said to him "Then go and beseech God to stir up warfare within you so that you may regain the affliction and humility that you used to have, for it is by warfare that the soul makes progress."
So he besought God and when warfare came, he no longer prayed that it might be taken away, but said, "Lord, give me the strength for the fight."
And the elder said to him "Then go and beseech God to stir up warfare within you so that you may regain the affliction and humility that you used to have, for it is by warfare that the soul makes progress."
So he besought God and when warfare came, he no longer prayed that it might be taken away, but said, "Lord, give me the strength for the fight."
