“The more a person concentrates on life’s sorrows alone, the more slowly help comes; and the sorrows will not cease until his soul is, to some degree, caught by them, and his conscience itself is held fast as by a fishing line in order to draw him forth from a spiritual death that is more terrible than the outward one.

The more one prays, the more a man focuses all his attention on his perishing soul, the more quickly the Lord will grant help even in outward problems, although the person seemingly has forgotten and has not deliberately asked about them.

Therefore let us entreat the Mother of God for deliverance from the calamities of life in such a way that this would help to elevate the spirit. Let us pray:

‘Entrust me not to human protection, O Most Holy Lady, but receive the supplication of thy servant; for sorrow hath overcome me, I cannot endure the demon’s darts; I have no protection, neither have I a place to run to; I am always conquered, and no consolation have I but thee, O Mistress of the world, thou hope and protection of the faithful; disdain not my supplication, and do what is profitable for me.’ — That is, fulfill my entreaty for deliverance from the calamities and sorrows of earthly life, and ‘do what is profitable,’ for this petition is for my soul.”

(New Hieromartyr Thaddeus Uspensky, Archbishop of Tver Selected Homilies, excerpt from Homily #3)

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