“But everyone does the work assigned to Him in such a way that, by repeating by heart some psalm or passage of Scripture, he gives no opportunity or time for dangerous schemes or evil designs, or even for idle talk, as both mouth and heart are incessantly taken up with spiritual meditations.” St. John Cassian,... Continue Reading →
Prayer as Participation in God
For God is indeed present to all, but all are not present to Him. But then, when we have invoked It [The Trinity], by all pure prayers and unpolluted mind, and by our aptitude towards Divine Union, we also are present to It.
Distractions at Prayer
When the demons see you yearning to pray truly, then they propose representations of certain things that are supposedly necessary and shortly thereafter they raise up and implant the memory of them, setting the mind in motion to search for them. When the mind does not find them, it is deeply grieved and discouraged. Then... Continue Reading →
Hold God Near
"Prayer is beautiful, making distinct for the soul a notion of God. And the indwelling good is this -- holding God settled in oneself through the memory. We thus become temples of God whenever the continuity of our memory is not interrupted by earthly worries and whenever the mind is not disturbed by unforeseen passions.... Continue Reading →
Drawing Ourselves Nearer to God
Wherefore, before everything, and especially theology, we must begin with prayer, not as though we ourselves were drawing the power, which is everywhere and nowhere present, but as, by our godly reminiscences and invocations, conducting ourselves to, and making ourselves one with, it.
An Ethiopian Prayer
"Pilot of the soul, Guide of the righteous, and Glory of the saints: grant us, O Lord, eyes of knowledge ever to see thee and ears also to hearken unto thy word alone. When our souls have been fulfilled with thy grace, create in us pure hearts, O Lord, that we may ever understand thy... Continue Reading →
God Hears The Stammering of The Little Children
"When you are praying, don't rack your brains to find words. On many occasions, the simple, monotonous stammering of children has satisfied their Father who is in Heaven. Don't bother trying to be eloquent lest your mind be bewildered in the search for words. The tax-collector gained the Lord's forgiveness with a single sentence, and... Continue Reading →
Let Us Always Hold God Near
"Prayer is beautiful, making distinct for the soul a notion of God. And the indwelling good is this -- holding God settled in oneself through the memory. We thus become temples of God whenever the continuity of our memory is not interrupted by earthly worries and whenever the mind is not disturbed by unforeseen passions.... Continue Reading →
Prayer is Dialogue
"Prayer is by nature a dialogue between man and God. It unites the soul with its Creator and reconciles the two. Its effect is to hold the world together." St John Climacus, Ladder of Divine Ascent 28.1 Prayer is that which holds the world together, that which opens our access to God. Ultimately we wish... Continue Reading →
On The Use of The Psalms In Prayer
"Penetrated by the same feelings in which the psalm was composed, it is as if we became the authors of it and we run ahead of its thought rather than follow it. We grasp the meaning before reading the words. The sacred words reawaken our experience reminding us of the assaults we have undergone and... Continue Reading →
Is God Hearing my Prayer?
Sometimes we fall into the temptation to wonder whether God has lent His ear to our prayers or not. We are reassured by the Lord that, " Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him (Mat 8.6)." Thus prayer is given for our benefit, not for Him Who lacks nothing.... Continue Reading →
You Know Not What You Need
"Do not pray for the fulfillment of your wishes, for they may not accord with the will of God. but pray as you have been taught saying: Thy will be done (cf. Luke 22.42). Always entreat Him in this way-that His will be done. For He desires what is good and profitable for you, whereas... Continue Reading →
