Categories: orthodox-life, prayer, spiritual-writings
Date: 22 May 2008 04:20:58
I will admit that a structured, regular prayer life is something I am still yet to achieve. And, at times, I can get out a "Lord, help me!" and that is it: but I trust in the mercy and grace of God, who knows my weaknesses, and knows my intentions -- even if they appear to be inexpressible.
Perhaps one reason, among many, that I do love to be in Church. In the services we offer continual prayer to God, among praise and worship: there is something about being in the midst of fellow Christians, saying or singing the same words, the same prayers, the same praise to God. Though some Orthodox services are quite long, and I may feel a sense of fatigue throughout, I know a great many times, as the final blessing is given, I eagerly desire more time, more words, more prayer...
Some quotes from from the chapter on Prayer in the The Ladder of Divine Ascent which I was reading last night:
Prayer is by nature a dialog and a union of man with God. Its effect is to hold the world together.
[the first two sentences: a great introduction I thought!]Prayer is future gladness, action without end, wellspring of virtues, source of grace, hidden progress, food of the soul, enlightenment of the mind, an axe against despair, hope demonstrated, sorrow done away with.
In your prayers there is no need for high-flown words, for it is the simple and unsophisticated babblings of children that have more often won the heart of the Father in heaven ... One word from the publican sufficed to placate God, and a single utterance saved the thief.
Do not become conceited when you have prayed for others and have been heard, for it is their faith which has been active and efficacious.
Ask with tears, seek with obedience, knock with patience. For so it goes that he "who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knows it will be opened" (Matthew 7:8).