St. Theophan the Recluse emphasizes the importance of prayer as the main work of the temple, guiding believers on how to cultivate a prayerful spirit both at home and in the church. He highlights that true prayer involves piercing our hearts with pious feelings towards God, such as humility, submission, gratitude, and forgiveness, rather than just reciting words. The preacher stresses the need for preparation before prayer, attention, and feeling during prayer, and reflection after prayer to fully engage with God. St. Theophan encourages believers to follow specific rules to maintain a prayerful spirit and experience the sweetness of prayer in their daily lives.

St. Theophan the Recluse preaches about the importance of instilling peace within oneself after Repentance and Communion, emphasizing the need to address inner disturbances by remembering God unceasingly, acting according to one's conscience, and patiently expecting success. He describes the fallen state of the spirit, the confusion within, and the necessity to stop wrongful thoughts and emotions. St. Theophan highlights the disorder in thoughts, emotions, and desires, stressing the need to establish order, harmony, and inner peace through intensified labor over oneself and remembrance of God.

St. Theofan the Recluse preaches about the importance of directing and developing the powers of the soul and body in children. He emphasizes the need to place bodily needs within proper bounds, strengthen them with good habits, and train children to master their desires. The sermon highlights the significance of selecting healthy food, establishing eating rules, and teaching self-control from a young age to avoid sinful indulgence. St. Theofan also stresses the importance of guiding children in movement, training the will to obey and do good, and forming a conscience rooted in awareness and repentance.

St. Theofan the Recluse preaches about the importance of recognizing the beginning of the Christian life and the zeal required to live in communion with God. He emphasizes that true Christian life is marked by active zeal, self-sacrifice, and a hatred of sin. The sermon delves into the significance of Baptism as the initiation of a new life in Christ, highlighting the transformation and rebirth it brings to individuals. St. Theofan also discusses the role of parents and sponsors in nurturing the grace-given life in children through Christian upbringing, emphasizing the influence of faith, piety, and the Church's sacraments in shaping a child's spiritual journey.

St. Theophan the Recluse emphasizes the importance of developing the three powers of the soul - the intellect, the will, and the heart - through specific exercises prescribed by holy ascetics. For the mind, exercises include reading the Word of God and engaging in mutual discourse. The will is developed through submission to God's will and righteous deeds done with humility and discernment. The heart is cultivated by developing a taste for all things holy and spiritual, primarily through prayer and participation in Church services.

St. Theophan the Recluse emphasizes the importance of engaging in church services and personal prayers to cleanse the senses of a deadened soul, freeing it from the world's influence and allowing it to experience spiritual freedom. He highlights the power of church services in driving away the spirit of the world and encourages establishing a pattern of attending church daily with reverence and attention. St. Theophan also stresses the significance of a prayerful spirit, stating that prayer is essential for impressing faith, morals, and enlivening the heart, with the ultimate goal of developing a prayerful spirit that leads to transformation.

St. Theophan the Recluse emphasizes the importance of having a prayer rule to maintain consistency and balance in prayer life. He advises starting with established prayers, focusing on quality over quantity to avoid rushing through prayers. St. Theophan recommends morning and evening prayers from prayer books as sufficient, encouraging full attention and heartfelt engagement. Additionally, he suggests memorizing Psalms and incorporating short prayers throughout the day to stay connected with God. The use of a prayer rope is introduced as a tool to aid in personal prayer, ensuring a structured and meaningful prayer practice.

St. Theophan the Recluse emphasizes the importance of progressing in the art of prayer beyond using prayer books, urging believers to develop a personal, heartfelt connection with God. He highlights the need for continuous ascension to God throughout the day, not just during designated prayer times, by incorporating short, sincere prayers in daily activities. St. Theophan instructs on the significance of contemplating God's attributes and actions, encouraging believers to reflect on His goodness, righteousness, wisdom, and grace to cultivate a constant awareness of God's presence and glory in all aspects of life.

St. Theophan the Recluse delves into the three levels of prayer: prayer which is read, mental prayer through contemplation of God, and unceasing turning of the mind and heart to God. He emphasizes the importance of constant prayer, quoting various Bible verses that urge believers to pray without ceasing, be vigilant, patient, and bold in prayer. St. Theophan explains that true prayer is a state of the spirit, akin to our breathing and heartbeat, and encourages believers to aspire towards a burning spirit through diligent prayer work.

St. Theofan the Recluse preaches about the importance of guiding youth in a Christian way, emphasizing the need to maintain order, faith, and good behavior during the time of study. He highlights the significance of instilling Christian principles in all areas of learning and warns against the dangers of separating faith from education. St. Theofan stresses the conscious acceptance of the yoke of Christ, urging individuals to renew their commitment to Christianity and live in a way that pleases God. He addresses the turbulent period of youth, cautioning against the dangers of seeking constant new impressions and the inclination towards worldly companionship. The pinnacle of danger for youth is identified as contact with the opposite sex, with guidance provided on how to guard against temptations and maintain purity.

St. Theophan the Recluse emphasizes the importance of prayer and its connection to other virtues, comparing prayer to a perfume that requires a vessel of virtue to contain it. He highlights the necessity of actively working on virtues like faith, hope, truth, righteousness, and love in order to strengthen one's prayer life. St. Theophan stresses that prayer alone cannot defeat spiritual enemies but must be accompanied by a life of virtue, as seen in the apostolic teachings and the writings of holy figures like St. John of the Ladder and St. Dimitri of Rostov.