Pray to be…
Pray firstly to be purified of passions, secondly to be freed from ignorance and forgetfulness, and thirdly to be delivered from all temptation and forsaking.
–Saint Nilus of Sinai (d. 430)
Pray firstly to be purified of passions, secondly to be freed from ignorance and forgetfulness, and thirdly to be delivered from all temptation and forsaking.
–Saint Nilus of Sinai (d. 430)
If we stop to think how great is the mercy of God, we would never cease doing all the good we can, for while we on our side, for love of him, give to the poor what he gives us he promises us a hundred fold in Heavenly glory.
–Saint John of God (1495-1550)
Prayer is the speaking of the mind to God. What structure does the mind need so that, not looking back, nor hither and thither, it may rise to the Lord and converse with Him, with no intermediary?
–Saint Nilus of Sinai (d. 430)
Examine yourself, then, to see whether worldly cares may still have a hold on you; whether you are very preoccupied with feeding and clothing your body, and with your other pursuits and your recreation, as though your own power kept you alive, and you were obliged to make provision for yourself, when you have been commanded to have no anxiety whatever concerning yourself.
–Pseudo-Macarius (Fourth- Fifth Century)
Let us love silence till the world is made to die in our hearts. Let us always remember death, and in this thought draw near to God in our heart–and the pleasures of this world will have our scorn.
–Saint Isaac of Syria (Seventh Century)