Protection when enemies are attacking. Psalms 26, 90
"... And the bomb will not burst"
(What the Elder John of Optina told me)
Sergei Alexandrovich Nilus and his wife Elena Alexandrovna came to the Optina to father John (Salov). The elder accepted us with joyful caress
"Take the stool," he said, embracing me, "sit next to me."
"Are you reading the psalms?" he asked me. I was embarrassed then I did not even have a short prayer rule, I did not read any psalms.
" I know" I answered, «Save me», «Have mercy on me, God» ...
-"And what else?"
-"Yes, father, I read all the psalms and, at least not by heart, but I know everything..."
The elder interrupted my self-justification:
"It's not that I want to ask you what your rule is, but whether you are still reading Psalm 26 the Lord is my enlightenment? "
"No, sir, I do not read."
"Well, that's what I'm going to tell you. "You once told me that your enemy is sending his arrows against you. Do not fear! Not one of them will touch you; do not fear any trash, as trash will remain trash. Only accept my advice as a rule: before your morning and evening prayers read Psalms 26 and 90 — and before them, the Archangel’s rejoicement : Rejoice, Virgin Theotokos...If you do this, no conflagration will ever consume you, nor water will drown you… A bomb will not blow you apart"
