Temptations against night prayer (1) - DESPONDENCY

Summary

The speaker addresses the struggle with despondency in prayer, emphasizing the importance of persistence despite feelings of emptiness or doubt. They highlight the Holy Spirit's role in prayer, even when one feels spiritually dead, and encourage believers to see their prayer as a sign of God's presence within them. The message concludes with a call for strength and unity, reminding the audience that they are all one in Christ, and that their perseverance in prayer is crucial for collective spiritual growth.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The speaker emphasizes the struggle with despondency and lack of courage, especially when individuals begin to take their prayer life seriously.
• 🌪️ Feelings of doubt and despondency can overcome individuals during prayer, even experienced ones, and this struggle is a common part of the spiritual journey.
• ⛔️ The initial excitement of starting a dedicated prayer life can be followed by a collapse of courage and feelings of despondency, which is a dangerous phase to navigate.
• 💔 The speaker acknowledges the personal experience of feeling like all demons are fighting against one during prayer, leading to the temptation to abandon prayer.
• 🕊️ The speaker encourages the audience to take courage from the fact that the act of prayer itself, regardless of its perceived quality, is a sign of the Holy Spirit praying within them.
• 🌙 Prayer, especially at night, is described as going against our natural tendencies and needs, highlighting the spiritual battle against our own fallen nature.
• 🧠 The speaker points out that prayer goes against our rational mind, as it requires us to be awake and engaged in the middle of the night instead of resting.
• ❤️ Prayer also goes against our emotions, as we may feel negative emotions but still choose to stand in prayer, waiting for Christ's arrival.
• 🙅‍♂️ The audience is reminded not to judge the success of their prayer or fall into the pride of thinking they are solely responsible for their spiritual actions.
• 🔥 The speaker asserts that the Holy Spirit is within the hearts of those who pray, even when they feel spiritually dead, and that God is working for their resurrection.
• ✝️ The script concludes with a call to strength and unity, as the speaker believes that the spiritual well-being of one is connected to the well-being of all, as taught by Christ.

Q & A

What is the main theme addressed in the video script?

The main theme addressed in the video script is the struggle with despondency and lack of courage in one's spiritual life, particularly when taking prayer seriously.

Why does the speaker mention the feeling of despondency in the world?

The speaker mentions the feeling of despondency to highlight the emotional state that many people are experiencing, which is affecting their spiritual life and prayer practices.

What is the 'great danger' the speaker refers to in the context of prayer?

The 'great danger' refers to the experience of doubt, lack of courage, and despondency that can overcome individuals when they try to approach prayer with dedication, potentially leading them to abandon their prayer practices.

Why does the speaker emphasize that the act of prayer itself is proof of the Holy Spirit praying within us?

The speaker emphasizes this to encourage individuals to continue their prayer practices even when they feel spiritually dead or as if they are going through empty rituals, assuring them that God is still at work within them.

How does the speaker describe the act of prayer as going against our fallen nature?

The speaker describes prayer as going against our fallen nature because it requires us to act against our physical needs for rest, our rational mind's understanding, and our emotional states, all of which are contrary to the natural inclinations of our fallen state.

What does the speaker mean when they say 'we are not the judges of our prayer'?

The speaker means that we should not judge the effectiveness or quality of our prayer based on our own perceptions or feelings, as we are not in a position to discern when our prayer is received by God.

What role does the Holy Spirit play according to the speaker's perspective on prayer?

According to the speaker, the Holy Spirit prays within us, even when we feel spiritually dead or disconnected from our prayer, indicating that the Holy Spirit is actively involved in our prayer life.

What does the speaker suggest we should remind ourselves of when feeling dead in prayer?

The speaker suggests reminding ourselves that we are doing something against our nature, which is only possible through God's grace, and that the Holy Spirit is within us, praying and working for our resurrection.

How does the speaker interpret the feeling of being 'dead' in prayer?

The speaker interprets the feeling of being 'dead' in prayer as a state of spiritual desolation but also as a potential moment for God to bring life and resurrection, trampling down death with His own resurrection.

What is the significance of the speaker's final words 'Be strong, my brothers and my sisters'?

The significance of the speaker's final words is to encourage resilience and perseverance in prayer, emphasizing the interconnectedness of the spiritual community and the importance of supporting one another in their spiritual journeys.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 Overcoming Despondency in Prayer

The speaker addresses the struggle of despondency and lack of courage that many feel in their spiritual life, particularly when they start taking their prayer life seriously. They explain that this is a common experience, even for those who are deeply committed to prayer. The speaker emphasizes the importance of continuing to pray, even when it feels like an empty ritual, as this is evidence of the Holy Spirit praying within us. They also discuss the natural resistance our bodies, minds, and emotions put up against prayer, especially during the night, and how this struggle is part of our spiritual journey towards resurrection and the presence of God.

05:05

🌟 The Holy Spirit's Role in Prayer

This paragraph delves into the concept that our ability to pray, even when it feels like we are going against our nature, is a testament to the Holy Spirit's work within us. The speaker warns against the pride of thinking we can achieve spiritual feats by ourselves, highlighting that only God can enable us to overcome our natural inclinations. They encourage us to recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, even when we feel spiritually dead, and to find strength in the knowledge that God is actively working in us for our resurrection. The speaker also connects this to the collective nature of the Christian faith, where the strength of the community supports individual spiritual growth.

10:11

⛪ A Call to Return to God

In the final paragraph, the speaker turns to a direct appeal to God, acknowledging personal sinfulness and seeking mercy. This serves as a closing prayer, urging the listener to abandon the temptations of the world and the devil's will, and instead to seek solace and redemption in God. The speaker uses this as an opportunity to reinforce the message of reliance on God's mercy and the importance of turning to Him in times of spiritual struggle.

Keywords

💡Despondency

Despondency refers to a state of deep sadness or loss of hope. In the video's theme, it is depicted as a common struggle that people face, particularly when they take their prayer life seriously. The speaker mentions that despondency can 'collapse over us' during prayer, indicating a challenge to overcome in one's spiritual journey. The script uses the term to illustrate the emotional battle that can be encountered on the path of faith.

💡Prayer

Prayer is an act of communication with a deity or a higher power, often involving requests for assistance or expressions of gratitude. The script emphasizes the importance of prayer in the spiritual life, discussing the initial excitement and the subsequent challenges one may face. The act of prayer is presented as a struggle against one's nature, yet it is also a sign of the Holy Spirit's presence within the individual.

💡Spiritual Life

Spiritual life pertains to the aspect of a person's existence that relates to matters of the spirit or soul, often connected with religious beliefs and practices. The video script discusses the impact of despondency on one's spiritual life, suggesting that it can affect the quality and depth of one's relationship with the divine. The speaker encourages perseverance in prayer as a means to navigate and overcome spiritual challenges.

💡Grace

Grace, in a religious context, is the unmerited favor or assistance given by God. The script speaks of the anticipation of grace 'coming upon us' during prayer, but instead, feelings of doubt and despondency may arise. The concept of grace is central to the message that even in the absence of felt spiritual experiences, the act of prayer itself is evidence of divine presence and assistance.

💡Doubt

Doubt is the state of uncertainty or lack of conviction. In the video script, doubt is presented as an obstacle in one's prayer life, where feelings of doubt can overshadow the initial excitement of engaging in prayer. The speaker warns of the danger of doubt leading to the abandonment of prayer, just before a moment of spiritual breakthrough might occur.

💡Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is a divine person in the Christian Trinity, often associated with inspiration, guidance, and the divine presence within believers. The script suggests that the Holy Spirit prays within the individual, even when they feel spiritually dead or are going through the motions of prayer without feeling. This concept is crucial to understanding the speaker's message of hope and perseverance.

💡Resurrection

Resurrection refers to the act of rising or being raised from the dead, a central theme in Christian theology, particularly the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The video script uses the concept of resurrection to illustrate the transformative power of Christ's victory over death, offering hope to those who feel spiritually dead or trapped in despair. The speaker encourages the audience to view their prayer as a participation in the resurrection process.

💡Fallen Nature

Fallen nature describes the human condition after the 'Fall' in Christian theology, characterized by sin and separation from God. The script discusses how prayer, especially at night, goes against our fallen nature, requiring us to resist the natural needs of our body and mind. This concept is used to highlight the spiritual battle and the need for divine assistance in overcoming our inherent weaknesses.

💡Rational Mind

The rational mind refers to the part of human cognition that deals with logic and reason. In the context of the video, the rational mind is presented as an obstacle to prayer, as it tells us to rest and not to engage in spiritual practices in the middle of the night. The speaker emphasizes that it is not by our own rational power that we can overcome this, but through divine help.

💡Emotions

Emotions are the feelings and affective states that individuals experience. The script mentions that prayer can go against our emotions, as we may feel sadness, frustration, or abandonment. However, despite these emotions, the act of prayer is a testament to the divine working within us, as we choose to stand before God in prayer despite our feelings.

💡Christ

Christ, referring to Jesus Christ, is the central figure of Christianity, believed to be the Son of God and the Messiah. The video script repeatedly refers to Christ, emphasizing the importance of waiting for His arrival in prayer and viewing our struggles as part of the process of being raised up by Him, just as He raised Adam and Eve and all those in hell.

Highlights

Despondency and loss of courage are affecting people's spiritual life, especially when they start taking prayer seriously.

Many people are struggling with despondency in their prayer life, even after trying to approach it with dedication.

The initial excitement of starting prayer can lead to feelings of doubt and despondency instead of grace.

Despondency can intensify just before God is ready to bestow beautiful grace, causing people to abandon prayer.

Praying, regardless of its perceived quality, is a sign that the Holy Spirit is praying within you.

Prayer goes against our fallen nature, body's needs for rest, rational mind, and emotions.

The act of prayer itself, even if it feels empty, is proof that God is praying in you.

We should not judge the success of our prayer, as only God can discern its reception before Him.

Prayer is a struggle against our nature, and only God can enable us to overcome this struggle.

St Isaac the Syrian and other Fathers emphasize the importance of recognizing the Holy Spirit's presence in prayer.

Reminding ourselves of God's presence within us can alleviate feelings of despair during prayer.

Christ's resurrection can bring life from our spiritual death, as He did for Adam and Eve.

We should view our prayer as a prayer of the dead, hoping for Christ's resurrection as the ultimate gift of love.

Our spiritual strength is interconnected; if one falls, it affects the whole community.

The speaker encourages the community to be strong for each other's sake and for the sake of their spiritual journey.

The speaker prays for God's blessings beyond the community's wildest dreams, emphasizing their beloved status.

A call to turn away from sin and the devil's will, seeking God's mercy as a sinner.

Transcripts

... crying out: O long-suffering Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Hello, my dear ones. There's such a feeling of despondency

and losing courage somehow

in the world, which we perceive as well through the comments and the messages

that we receive from you, and this

is now spilling over onto our spiritual life.

I've received many messages from people who are struggling with despondency,

particularly when they have started to properly pray, when

they have taken their prayer life seriously.

And this is something I'd like to address,

because it carries a great danger within it---

this experience of trying, really trying to approach prayer with

a serious, dedicated heart, and after the initial excitement and

the adrenaline of trying to do something

we've dreamed about doing for so long,

what happens is that instead of grace coming upon us, all these

feelings of doubt and this lack of courage and despondency collapse over us,

and of course I've experienced the same thing and everybody who has

tried to pray experiences the same thing---this happens

not only at the beginning of prayer but throughout

your entire life of prayer, and particularly there will be

moments when it feels like the entire hell

is empty because all the demons in hell are now

fighting against you, so you drop your prayer, you abandon your prayer---

and that usually happens just before something beautiful, something beyond

your hope is just about to be given to you, that

seems to happen just before God is

ready to place in our hands, in our palms this

beautiful grace.

At the very beginning, take courage from the knowledge that if you pray,

regardless of the quality of your prayer, whatever 'quality of prayer' may mean

at the level of you and I, but whatever that quality may be, the simple

fact that you pray, the simple fact that you get up and you

go through your prayers, your read prayers or

your prostrations or your bows or simply keeping yourself awake---that very

simple, basic fact of going through the motions

of prayer, if not being in the spirit of prayer,

that is proof that the Holy Spirit prays within you, even if you feel

dead inside, even if it feels like you're going through

an empty ritual, keep on doing it, because if you are doing it,

that in and of itself is proof that God is praying in you.

Think about it: everything about prayer, the act of prayer, particularly prayer by

night, goes against our fallen nature,

everything about it; this prayer goes against

the necessities, the needs of our body--- our body

needs, not only wants, it actually needs to rest,

and prayer by night fights it and goes against

that basic need; prayer goes against our mind

because rationally speaking we shouldn't be up

in the middle of the night, we should be in our beds

resting for all the rational reasons that we know---we have jobs, we have

families, we have responsibilities and so on and so forth,---

but although our rational mind tells us that we should be

in bed and not standing up in the dark waiting for Christ, we do it, we stand up

and we wait in the darkness for Christ's arrival,

so that prayer goes against our rational mind;

it goes also against our emotions, because you wake up feeling,

every bad feeling that there is--- you feel sad, you feel frustrated, you

feel abandoned, you feel discouraged---and

yet you pull yourself out of that bed and you stand in front of an icon, in

front of a candle, and you wait for Christ.

Don't fall into the pride of thinking that you are doing all of

this by yourself--- we cannot even contemplate doing

something against our nature, let alone actually

acting against our nature---this is very important that we understand

that the act of prayer, regardless of how we perceive that prayer, if it's

'successful' or 'unsuccessful', if it's alive or if it's dead, if it's 'working' or

'not working'--- we are not the judges of our prayer, we

are not at a level, spiritually speaking, to be able to

discern when our prayer is received before God and when it isn't.

Don't fall into the pride of thinking that you by yourself can

go against the needs of your body, against the rational thinking of your

mind, and against your own emotions---

only God can help you to achieve that. The simple

basic fact that in the middle of the night, in the darkness,

you are not in your bed resting, but you are standing

before an icon, before a candle, and you are

patiently struggling to keep yourself awake, waiting for Christ, that simple

fact means that within your heart,

dead as it may feel in that moment, within

your heart burns the Holy Spirit. St Isaac the Syrian and many, many

other Fathers teach us that, and they stress again

and again how important it is not to forget

that, because as you feel dead in your prayer in the darkness, if you

remind yourself 'Wait a minute: I feel dead, I feel like

I'm doing nothing, but I am actually doing something that

goes against my nature, that is according to my nature

resurrected through Christ, and that means that within me right now

is God Himself'---if you remind yourself of that in the middle, in the midst of your

despair, all of a sudden you realize you are not

alone any more, and God is in you, burning in you, praying

in you, working for your resurrection just then.

Christ is risen from the dead! Yes, you may stand there before the icon

feeling dead, and that's because you are dead,

and I am dead, spiritually speaking we are dead,

but within us, from this dead, from this tomb, He can bring

back life, trampling by his death onto our death.

Take courage from this knowledge and keep on praying

that prayer of the dead, think of yourself as being

dead in your tomb, hoping for Christ to come and offer you

as the ultimate gift of love His resurrection. Think of you as one

in hell, waiting in that depth for Christ to descend in the depth of

hell and raise you up the way He has risen

Adam and Eve and all those trapped in the guts of hell.

Be strong, my brothers and my sisters. I want you to be strong for your sake

and for my sake, because if you stand, through you

I stand as well; but if you abandon this fight,

you will fall, and in your fall I shall fall as well, because we are

all one as Christ has told us, we are all one

and we stand and we fall through each other. May God

bless you beyond your wildest dreams, my beloved ones. Amen.

O my soul, why do you grow rich in sins?

Why do you do the will of the devil?

In what do you place your trust? Leave all of this

and turn to God, crying out: O long-suffering Lord,

have mercy on me, a sinner.