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→Expectation of grace: how schema-archimandrite Abraham prayed to acquire grace
St. Ambrose of Optina provides in one letter an example of such expectation of Divine gifts. A nun thought that she will receive all spiritual gifts at the day of the feast of [[Archangel Michael]]. But on that day, she instead received depression and thoughts of suicide from the demons. St. Ambrose writes that it was a delusion and that living in complete solitude will be dangerous for her because of such demonic attacks.<ref>{{Ru icon}} [http://www.optina.ru/starets/amvrosiy_letters_chart2_24/#245 Letters of St. Ambrose of Optina. Letter 245.]</ref>
Schema-archimandrite Abraham (Rejdman) reminisces about his youth, when he did not pray with the Jesus Prayer, did not know any experienced elders, and did not read the books of the Holy Fathers. Then he read for the first time the conversation of St. Seraphim of Sarov with Motovilov<ref>[http://orthodoxinfo.com/praxis/wonderful.aspx St. Seraphim of Sarov's Conversation With Nicholas Motovilov]</ref>, but understood it in a primitive way and began to pray about acquisition of grace. As a result, he began to see visions from demons. Fortunately, later he came to his senses and realized that he was in delusion.<ref>[http://www.sestry.ru/church/content/library/blagaja_chast/90_chapter/view Schema-archimandrite Abraham. The good part. Vol. 3. On obstructions in the spiritual life and the desire for grace.]</ref>
==Prelest in the New Testament==
