The war news is disquieting. At church, Natásha prays for forgiveness and for the deliverance of Russia.
Summary:
At the beginning of July more and more disquieting reports about the war circulate in Moscow. People were saying that only a miracle could save Russia. On Sunday, the Rostóvs went to Mass as usual. As she walks to church, Natásha feels emotionally sunk, judged, judgmental, vexed. She thinks everyone is talking about her, and that her best years are passing her by. In church, she prays Teach me what I should do, how to live my life, how I may grow good forever, forever! She prays for many people. All of this brings her comfort. The priest reads to the congregation a long prayer from the Synod asking God for the deliverance of Russia from hostile invasion. It seemed to her that God heard her prayer.
quote from the chapter:
When he had finished the Litany the deacon crossed the stole over his breast and said, Let us commit ourselves and our whole lives to Christ the Lord!
Commit ourselves to God, Natásha inwardly repeated. Lord God, I submit myself to Thy will! she thought. I want nothing, wish for nothing; teach me what to do and how to use my will! Take me, take me! prayed Natásha, with impatient emotion in her heart, not crossing herself but letting her slender arms hang down as if expecting some invisible power at any moment to take her and deliver her from herself, from her regrets, desires, remorse, hopes, and sins.
The countess looked round several times at her daughter’s softened face and shining eyes and prayed God to help her.
Book 9, Chapter 18
The war news is disquieting. At church, Natásha prays for forgiveness and for the deliverance of Russia.
Summary:
At the beginning of July more and more disquieting reports about the war circulate in Moscow. People were saying that only a miracle could save Russia. On Sunday, the Rostóvs went to Mass as usual. As she walks to church, Natásha feels emotionally sunk, judged, judgmental, vexed. She thinks everyone is talking about her, and that her best years are passing her by. In church, she prays Teach me what I should do, how to live my life, how I may grow good forever, forever! She prays for many people. All of this brings her comfort. The priest reads to the congregation a long prayer from the Synod asking God for the deliverance of Russia from hostile invasion. It seemed to her that God heard her prayer.
quote from the chapter:
When he had finished the Litany the deacon crossed the stole over his breast and said, Let us commit ourselves and our whole lives to Christ the Lord!
Commit ourselves to God, Natásha inwardly repeated. Lord God, I submit myself to Thy will! she thought. I want nothing, wish for nothing; teach me what to do and how to use my will! Take me, take me! prayed Natásha, with impatient emotion in her heart, not crossing herself but letting her slender arms hang down as if expecting some invisible power at any moment to take her and deliver her from herself, from her regrets, desires, remorse, hopes, and sins.
The countess looked round several times at her daughter’s softened face and shining eyes and prayed God to help her.
Click here to read full text of this chapter.
Please help improve this shared document by posting your suggested corrections, clarifications, and changes below. Thank you!