O Lord, thou knowest how busy I must be this day. If I forget thee, do not thou forget me. –-General Lord Astley, 1640
Simple Prayer
Pray simply. Do not expect to find in your heart any remarkable gift of prayer. Consider yourself unworthy of it. Then you will find peace. Use the empty, dry coldness of your prayer as food for your humility.
-–St. Makari of Optino, 1439
The Nature of Prayer
This is the nature of prayer, that it raises one from earth to heaven, higher than every heavenly name and dignity, and brings one before the very God of all.
-–Gregory Palamas, Mt. Athos, 1296-1359
The Divine’s Voice
Let us open our eyes to the divine light, and with startled ears let us listen to what the divine voice is calling out every day: Today if you should hear his voice, harden not your hearts. -–Benedict, Nursia, 480-550
Prayer of Decision
On such decision depends the very foundation of our relationship with God…hence the great significance for time and eternity of these moments of decision. They become moments of lived prayer…
…Hence when we speak of the prayer of decision, we mean that lived prayer in every decision made in accordance with the will of God.
-–Karl [...]
Surrender
Take, Lord, all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my whole will.
You have given me all that I have,
all that I am,
and I surrender all to your divine will.
You have given me all that I have,
all that I am
and I surrender all to your divine will.
Give me only your love and your divine grace.
With this I [...]
At My Side
Angel of God, my Guardian dear
To whom God’s love commits me here.
Ever this day be at my side
To light and guard to rule and guide.
Guardian Angel Prayer
Live Harmoniously
The chief motivation for your sharing life together is to live harmoniously in the house and to have one heart and one soul seeking God. –The Rule of Augustine
The First Rule
The first rule of right prayer is to have our heart and mind framed as becomes those who are entering into converse with God.
John Calvin, 1509-1564, Switzerland
The Spirit For Guide
He who applies himself to prayer, having taken the Spirit for guide and support, burns with the love of the Lord and is enkindled with desire, not finding satiety in prayer but being always enflamed with the desire of the good.
–Gregory of Nyssa, Bishop, Turkey, 330-395