Chazal said that “A man should always be careful about the afternoon services, as Eliyahu was only answered in the afternoon services!”. There are those who are lenient about this prayer, and do not pray it with a quorum, or wait until after the correct time in a hurried, snatched way, and yet others who omit it altogether. All of this is only badness of heart and lack of real faith, for one who believes with the true belief (as is the truth) that it is Hashem who give strength to do any actions, will not believe that one who shortens his service of Hashem will thereby increase the honor of his house, and that one who lengthens his service will increase the honor of his house. Thus is absolutely impossible.
Nowadays because of our many sins we do not have the holy temple, and we have lost all that is good, and the three daily services almost constitute our entire service to Hashem and all of our Judaism, and if we lose even that, what have we left?
Chazal said that when one has transgressed a commandment once and twice, he feels that it is permitted, and if one would ask a person how much it is worth to pray the daily prayers with a quorum, he would answer that there is no value to be put on them, and then when it comes to actual practice he leaves them for a small financial gain, that he thinks that he will probably gain in that time, (and this is really absolute falsehood, for even if he makes money and the wicked way is successful, he will never see a sign of blessing from that money, and he will lose more than he gained, and those who seek Hashem will never lack for goodness), but habit becomes second nature, and it feels permitted. A person should reflect that all beginnings are difficult, but afterwards he will enjoy it and he will feel that it is sweet, and he will be fortunate in this world, and receive goodness in the world to come.
