Be completely simple…
Let your prayer be completely simple. For both the publican and the prodigal son were reconciled to God by a single phrase.
–Saint John Climacus (c. 525-606)
Christ’s holy name…
The more rain falls on the earth, the softer it makes it. Similarly, Christ’s holy name gladdens the earth of our heart the more we call upon it.
–Saint Hesychius of Jerusalem (Fifth Century)
Prayer ought to be…
Prayer ought to be short and pure, unless it be prolonged by the inspiration of divine grace.
–Saint Benedict (480-547)
Cast out every sinful thought…
Since prayer is an association of the mind with God, then in what state must the mind possibly be, in order to be able, without turning elsewhere, to approach its Lord and converse with Him without the mediation of something else? If Moses in his attempt to approach the burning bush was hindered until he had removed the sandals from his feet, then shouldn’t you who desires to see God and converse with Him, remove and cast out of you every sinful thought?
–Saint Nilus of Sinai (d. 430)
Render your mind…
Strive to render your mind deaf and dumb at the time or prayer and then you will be able to pray.
–The Desert Fathers (and Mothers)
In knowing God…
Let us occupy ourselves entirely in knowing God. The more we know Him, the more we will desire to know Him. As love increases with knowledge, the more we know God, the more we will truly love Him. We will learn to love Him equally in times of distress or in times of great joy.
–Brother Lawrence (1614-1691)
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