Chrysostom
Humble Servant of All
You speak of silent prayers rejected, and of a demand for evidence. I would remind you that the nature of a fervent and toiling soul is not to desist when the gift is deferred. Though God delay, though many withdraw us, let us not stop asking. For in this way most of all shall we win God to us. Do not place yourself in a situation where you think you have no need of others' prayers; even Paul did not say, "What need have I of prayer?" Do not exalt yourself, lest you be humbled.
But this talk of evidence betrays a dangerous desire. Questioning is the subversion of faith. Faith sets reasoning at rest; it receives God's mercies and doubts nothing. The Jews perished because they were justifying themselves in every respect, seeking to establish their own righteousness and demanding signs, rather than submitting to God's righteousness by faith. You ask for evidence to present to men? Christ Himself prayed aloud only for the sake of the weak and grosser sort, to show that His will and the Father's are one, not because He needed to persuade. He knew the Father hears Him always. And you, do you not trust that He hears you always? Do not seek to provide a display for a "support link" as though God's ear depended on your proof. Instead, together with prayer, take up fasting; it implants much strictness and fights against incorporeal powers. But prayer must come first. Go forth to your daily fight with God made propitious by prayer, and you will laugh every enemy to scorn. Let your faith be the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
But this talk of evidence betrays a dangerous desire. Questioning is the subversion of faith. Faith sets reasoning at rest; it receives God's mercies and doubts nothing. The Jews perished because they were justifying themselves in every respect, seeking to establish their own righteousness and demanding signs, rather than submitting to God's righteousness by faith. You ask for evidence to present to men? Christ Himself prayed aloud only for the sake of the weak and grosser sort, to show that His will and the Father's are one, not because He needed to persuade. He knew the Father hears Him always. And you, do you not trust that He hears you always? Do not seek to provide a display for a "support link" as though God's ear depended on your proof. Instead, together with prayer, take up fasting; it implants much strictness and fights against incorporeal powers. But prayer must come first. Go forth to your daily fight with God made propitious by prayer, and you will laugh every enemy to scorn. Let your faith be the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
