Francis de Sales (1567-1622), Page: Quotes, Prayer (how), Prayer (what), Quote Author, Quote Topic
To mutter something with the lips is not praying if one’s heart is not joined to it. To speak it is necessary first to have conceived interiorly what we wish to say. There is first the interior word, and then the spoken word, which causes what the interior has first pronounced to be understood. Prayer is nothing other than speaking to God. Now it is certain that to speak to God without being attentive to Him and to what we say to Him is something that is most displeasing to Him…God tests more the heart of the one who prays rather than the words pronounced by one who prays.
–Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622)
John Vianney (1786-1859), Page: Quotes, Prayer (answered), Prayer (how), Quote Author, Quote Topic
Won’t you agree with me that, if we do not receive what we ask God for, it is because we do not pray with faith, with a sufficiently pure heart, with enough trust, or because we do not persevere in prayer as we should? God has never denied and never will deny anything to those who ask for his graces in the right way.
–Saint John Vianney (1786-1859)
Blessed Virgin Mary, Page: Quotes, Prayer (how), Quote Topic, Spiritual (life)
Have you not often met poor old women who are most faithful to the pious recitation of the Rosary? You also must do all that you can to recite it with fervor. Get right down, at the feet of Jesus: it is a good thing to make oneself small in the presence of so great a God.
–Blessed Columba Marmion (1858-1923)
Page: Quotes, Prayer (how), Prayer (problems), Quote Topic
It is better to say one Our Father fervently and devoutly than a thousand with no devotion and full of distraction.
–Saint Edmund (c. 841-868)
Page: Quotes, Prayer (how), Quote Topic
Sit down alone and in silence. Lower your head, shut your eyes, breathe out gently and imagine yourself looking into your own heart. Carry your mind, i.e. your thoughts, from your head to your heart. As you breathe out, say, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.” …. Try to put all other thoughts aside. Be calm, be patient, and repeat the process very frequently.
–Saint Symeon the New Theologian (949-1022)
Johannes Tauler (c. 1300-1361), Page: Quotes, Prayer (how), Quote Author, Quote Topic
Let us contemplate with the eyes of our heart, Jesus, that is, our Saviour, the Lamb without spot, how He bore therein all our sins; how heavily, all alone, He trod the wine-press, that like the grape that is pressed with all care, He, too, might be pressed in the wine-press of His Passion, and might pour upon us richly, and give us to drink, the red wine of His precious Blood, so as to make us drunk with His love. –Johannes Tauler (c. 1300-1361)
