With sincere Christians prayer is continual, because we continually sin; gratitude is perpetual, because everyday, every moment, we receive fresh mercies from God, beside the old mercies, which are numberless. Praise is also perpetual, because we perpetually see the glory of God’s works in ourselves and in the world, especially the glory of His infinite love towards us.
–Saint John of Kronstadt (1829-1908)
When praying, I firmly believe
–Saint John of Kronstadt (1829-1908)
When you pray that your sins may be forgiven, strengthen yourself always by faith, and trust in God’s mercy… What are your sins in comparison to God’s mercy, whatever they be, if only you truly repent of them?
–Saint John of Kronstadt (1829-1908)
Spiritual poverty consists in esteeming oneself as though not existing, and God alone as existing; in honoring His words above everything in the world, and in not sparing anything to fulfill them, even ones own life; in considering God’s Will in everything, both for ourselves and others, entirely renouncing our own will.
–Saint John of Kronstadt (1829-1908))
What is the point of fasting and prayer? Why must we work so hard? They cleanse us from sin, they lead to spiritual peace, to union with God, to sonship, to boldness before God. There are truly important reasons for fasting and confessing from the bottom of one’s heart. Immeasurable rewards will be given for conscientious labor.
–Saint John of Kronstadt (1829-1908)
To trust in God means to confide to Him our life, our fate, all our future, and to wait with confidence for the fulfillment of His promises. Hope proceeds from faith, as the plant from the seed, or the stream from the source. We believe that the Lord is good and merciful, that He loves us as a Father, and therefore that He desires every good and true happiness for us. He is most wise and omniscient, and consequently He knows better than we ourselves what is really needful and useful for us. He is almighty; and thus He is always able to bestow upon us that which He pleases, to fulfil that which He has promised. He is holy and righteous, and therefore all His words are truth. His promises are unchangeable.
–Saint John of Kronstadt (1829-1908)
