We should go to prayer with deep humility and an awareness of our nothingness. We must invoke the help of the Holy Spirit and that of our good angel, and then remain still in God’s presence, full of faith that he is more in us than we are in ourselves.
–Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
Length of prayer consists, not in praying for many things, but in the affections persisting in the desire of one thing.
–Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)
Do not be either astonished or discouraged at the difficulties you find in prayer. Only be constant and submissive, and God will be pleased with you.
–Saint Claude de la Colombiere (1641-1682)
It is an old custom with the servants of God always to have some little prayers ready, and to be darting them up to heaven frequently during the day, lifting their minds to God from out of the filth of this world. He who adopts this plan will get great fruit with little pains.
–Saint Philip Neri (1515-1595)
Do not pray for your heart’s desires, for they may not entirely harmonize with God’s purposes. Pray instead as you have been taught: ‘May your will be done in me.’ [Luke 22:42]. Pray to God this way about everything, that his will might be accomplished in you, for he only desires what is good and useful for your life, whereas you do not always request this.
–Evagrius Ponticus (345-399)
Draw near to God with the greatest simplicity you can, and be certain that the simplest prayer is the best.
–Saint Jane Frances de Chantal (1572-1641)
