Flee from idle words and laughter if you want your prayer to have boldness
through tears and grace! Constantly say the prayer intensely, with zeal, with
longing; only thus does one become strong in soul. Avoid idle words at all
costs, for they weaken the soul and then it does not have the strength to
struggle. This is no time for daydreaming, but a season for spiritual profit.
Who can guarantee that after going to sleep, we shall wake up? Therefore, let
us compel ourselves.
When one keeps silent, he is given time and freedom for prayer and
concentration; but when he passes his hours carelessly, he does not have
time to pray. Furthermore, through his careless speech he accumulates
various sins. For this reason the Holy Fathers placed the virtue of silence at
the summit of the virtues, for without it no virtue is able to remain in the soul of
man.
subm. no. 11
paragraphs: 5, 6 from pages 207-208
1-6 (sometimes paired in same posting) from pages 211-212
From the book
Councels from the Holy mountain
Selected from the letters and homilies of Elder Efraim of Arizona
Selection of passages from the book by Silviu Podariu
Elder Efraim of Arizona-Silence
