One way to recall the mind easily in the time of prayer, and preserve it more in tranquility, is not to let it wander too far at other times. You should keep it strictly in the Presence of God; and, being accustomed to think of Him often, you will find it easy to keep your mind calm in the time of prayer, or at least to recall it from its wonderings.
–Brother Lawrence (1614-1691)
Hold yourself in prayer before God, like a dumb or paralytic beggar at a rich man’s gate. Let it be your business to keep your mind in the presence of the Lord. If it sometimes wander and withdraw itself from Him, do not much disquiet yourself for that: trouble and disquiet serve rather to distract the mind than to re-collect it: the will must bring it back in tranquility. If you persevere in this manner, God will have pity on you.
–Brother Lawrence (1614-1691)
Do not scrutinize so closely whether you are doing much or little, ill or well, so long as what you do is not sinful and that you are heartily seeking to do everything for God. Try as far as you can to do everything well, but when it is done, do not think about it. Try, rather, to think of what is to be done next. Go on simply in the Lord’s way, and do not torment yourself.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
Mental prayer is no less useful to us or less pleasing to God when we suffer many distractions. As a matter of fact, it could be more useful than if we had many consolations, because it means harder work for us. It suffices that we faithfully try to drive away the distractions, not allowing our spirit to dwell on them willingly.
–Saint Francis de Sales, (1567-1622)
We must not judge things according to our own liking, but according to that of God. This is a great secret, if we are holy according to our own will we will never be truly holy, we must be so according to God’s will.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
If an experience fails to engender humility, charity, mortification, holy simplicity, and silence, etc., of what value is it?
–Saint John of the Cross (1542-1591)
