Fasting, Prayer, and Confession in the War Against the Passions
The Orthodox Church has never promised comfort. She promises salvation—and salvation is acquired by violence against the old man, by struggle against the passions, by war against the flesh. It is not won through vague spirituality or passive attendance in the temple. It is won by crucifying the body and taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. “The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matt. 11:12) If a man would be freed from lust, pride, anger, gluttony, and sloth, he must live the ascetic life. There is no other road. The Church provides the path—not as a suggestion, but as a divine prescription. That path is fasting, prayer, and confession. Without these, no man will be purified. No man will be saved.
Fasting is not a diet. It is not an optional pious act. Fasting is the ancient sword of the saints. Fasting crushes gluttony, tames lust, humbles pride, and teaches obedience. A man who cannot control his stomach will not control his eyes. One who gives his body every comfort will never have the strength to deny it sinful desires. “I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest… I myself should become disqualified.” (1 Cor. 9:27)
The Church has given us numerous fasts throughout the year and the liturgical seasons. These are not cultural traditions—they are spiritual warfare. Those who neglect them without true cause sin. The demons do not sleep. Why should we? “This kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” (Matt. 17:21) If you suffer from lust, from rage, from filthy thoughts, then begin fasting with fear and zeal. Wake up early. Skip the unnecessary meal. Eat plainly. Control the tongue. Let hunger teach you sobriety.
A man without prayer is a corpse. He may breathe, speak, and walk—but his soul is rotting. Prayer is not a hobby. It is not therapy. It is the life of the soul and the weapon of the Christian. A man who prays only when convenient is already conquered. The Psalms must be on our lips. The Jesus Prayer must fill our mind. And if the mind is wandering—then bring it back with force. Do not wait to “feel” something. Pray whether you feel cold or warm, dry or inspired. Prayer is not for the emotions—it is for the salvation of the soul. St. Paul wrote: “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess. 5:17) This is not poetry. It is commandment. We are to pray with the mouth, the heart, and the memory. If the day is spent in silence and remembrance of God, the demons tremble.
Establish a rule. Morning and evening. Cross yourself when you wake up and before sleep. Say the Trisagion. Pray the Psalms. Do prostrations. Say the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Say it a hundred times. Say it until your thoughts submit. Say it until your heart is pierced. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16)
There is no salvation without repentance. And there is no true repentance without confession. Not once in a lifetime. Not only for great sins. But regularly, frequently, honestly, with tears and with hatred for sin. Many avoid confession because they are ashamed. Good. You should be ashamed. That shame is the first step to humility. Speak your sins without justifying them. Do not hide behind language. Call lust lust. Call sloth sloth. Do not say, “I struggle with purity”—say, “I have committed this sin and I am guilty.” “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Prov. 28:13)
A man who neglects confession begins to rot from the inside. His mind grows cloudy. His prayers dry up. His passions grow bolder. The devil whispers, “You can repent later.” But later may not come. The canon of the Church is simple: If you do not confess, you do not commune. It is not legalism. It is the protection of the soul and the reverence of the altar. “Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself.” (1 Cor. 11:28–29)
The Orthodox life is a life of war. The world wants a soft Christianity. A God without commandments. A religion that justifies sin. That is not the Orthodox Faith. The Holy Fathers did not inherit the Kingdom by comfort. They fasted, prayed, wept, laboured, and confessed their sins often. If you wish to be saved—fast. If you wish to be made clean—pray. If you wish to be made whole—confess. Do not delay. Do not be lukewarm. The lukewarm are vomited out. “Be zealous and repent.” (Rev. 3:19)
There is no other road. There is no shortcut to holiness, no bypass around the Cross, no secret path that avoids the death of the old man. The wide road leads to destruction, and many walk it. The narrow path is hard, steep, and requires blood. That is the only road to salvation. No one will be saved by feelings, opinions, or good intentions. Only by obedience, struggle, repentance, and grace.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” (Matt. 7:13) He who refuses the fast, avoids prayer, and neglects confession is not walking the narrow road—he is wandering toward hell with pious words on his lips. The demons rejoice when a man excuses himself from the labours the saints endured. The Cross is not optional. The Gospel is not tailored. The road to life is singular, straight, and cruciform.
There is no other road. There never has been. There never will be.
May God bless you +
Fr. Charles
14 September 2019
