"WATCH ALL THE TIME AND PRAY..."
/„BEDLITE CELÝ ČAS A MODLITE SA...“/

Peter KORMANIK

emeritus professor, secretary, Office of the Metropolitan Council of the Orthodox Church in Slovakia, Bayerova 8, 080 01 Presov, Slovakia, kormanik@orthodox.sk, 00421517724736

Abstract

The article presents a theological analysis of the importance of prayer and vigilance in the spiritual life of man. The author analyses a summary of biblical texts, especially the Apostolic Letters, which he supplements with patristic commentaries. The text characterizes the very nature of the spiritual vigilance exhorted by the various biblical and patristic authors and its relevance not only to the two-thousand-year-old New Testament Church, but especially to modern contemporary man and society. The article presents options for embarking on the path of spiritual pallor that have remained unchanged throughout the history of mankind, only the circumstances that influence the form of execution.

Keywords

Prayer, vigilance, salvation, Holy Scripture, spiritual struggle

SUMMARY

The Holy Scriptures offer us a very specific challenge, with particular reference to those who, as leaders of the Church, both bishops and priests, are to teach the faithful and lead them to live in the spirit of the words of the Apostle Paul, as befits the vocation to which they are called, i.e., as Christians. To them, then, as leaders of the Church, without whom the life of the faithful in the Church is inconceivable, are addressed the very serious words of the Apostle Paul on watchfulness, on standing firm in faith, charity and other virtues, and on their care for the spiritual flock. As Christians, we should never forget that none of us is immune from wickedness, the schemes of the devil, and temptations of every kind; let no one think that he is strong enough to resist them at all times and in all circumstances. If we are adversely affected by some circumstance which seems to lull our vigilance (watchfulness) to sleep, for example, so that we hear outwardly nice and flattering speeches, but inwardly they are full of indignation and oppose the teaching of the Church, the morals and the piety of man, let us not be misled by deceitful speeches. The spiritual struggle of a Christian is like the heroism of a good soldier. The first quality of a good soldier is not to flee from the battle when the fight is raging, but to stand firm, for he who stands can repel the enemy; but he who flees from the battle at a time when it is necessary to stand firmly on guard will not gain the wreath, and, moreover, he may do himself great harm and cause himself much misfortune. It is the same with spiritual armour. Faith is a shield covering those who believe without attestation. If someone indulges in sage reasoning, starts to reason about everything and judges according to his own, for such a one faith does not present itself as a shield. On the contrary, then we only stumble over it. Faith hides and obscures everything: such must be its characteristic. Since among some of the believers in Corinth, as the apostle Paul himself testifies, there was a considerable weakening of love, manifested, for example, by inattention to the consciences of some weak brethren, the apostle exhorts, "Let love be the soul of your godliness... Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which is the bond of perfection."

(Language: slovak)

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