Praying is first and foremost listening to Jesus, who dwells in the very depths of your heart. He doesn’t shout. He doesn’t thrust himself upon you. His voice is an unassuming voice, very nearly a whisper, the voice of a gentle love. Whatever you do with your life, go on listening to the voice of Jesus in your heart.
–Henri Nouwen (1932-1996)
When we pray we speak to God; but when we read, God speaks to us.
— Saint Jerome (c. 340-420)
Prayer is not so much a way to find God as a way of resting in him…who loves us, who is near to us.
–Thomas Merton (1915-1968)
Prayer is nothing else than union with God. When the heart is pure and united with God it is consoled and filled with sweetness; it is dazzled by a marvelous light. In this intimate union God and the soul are like two pieces of wax moulded into one; they cannot any more be separated. It is a very wonderful thing, this union of God with his insignificant creature, a happiness passing all understanding.
–Saint John Vianney (1786-1859)
Prayer is to our soul what rain is to the soil. Fertilize the soil ever so richly, it will remain barren unless fed by frequent rains.
–Saint John Vianney (1786-1859)
Prayer is the mortar that holds our house together.
–Saint Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
