My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
+
PRAYER AS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE (Part II)
By Monk Moses
The Nature of Prayer
What, after all, is the nature of prayer? Is it worth the toil, concern, and effort that goes into it?
Let us examine the words of the Holy Fathers for insight.
Saint John Chrysostomos says:
"Prayer is a harbor in the storms of life, an anchor for those who are storm tossed, the treasure of the poor, the security of the rich, the healing of the sick, the preservation of health. Prayer banishes evil things, and preserves the good."
And the God-bearing ecumenical father continues:
"Prayer silences the passions of the soul, assuages the rebellion of anger, dismisses envy, dissipates evil desire withers the love of worldly things, and brings great peace and serenity to the soul."
The essence of prayer becomes clear from what it offers. Saint John of the Ladder (Climacus) says that prayer is the means which unites man with God. The most ascetic Saint Gregory of Sinai, who wanted to traverse the universe to teach everyone the benefits of prayer, penetrates the matter more deeply proclaiming:
"Prayer is a pleasant fire for the beginners, 'a light made fragrant when activated' for the advanced. Prayer informs the heart; it is the hope of salvation, the sign of purification, a symbol of holiness, the knowledge of God, the engagement of the Holy Spirit, the joy of Jesus, the gladness of the soul, the mercy of God, the sign of reconciliation, the seal of Christ, the ray of the intelligible sun, the confirmation of Christianity, proof of Angelic life."
Serious obstacles to prayer are too much sleep, too much food, too much talk, and luxurious living. These contribute to forgetfulness of God and a sluggish body while making vigilance and exaltation of the spirit difficult. They do not help in purification and they confuse the mind, heart, and judgment, which should be calm, peaceful and inquietude during prayer.
How should I pray? When should I pray? How extensive should my prayer be? Questions such as these reveal an absence of fervent and continuous prayer. For the one who loves prayer intensely, there are no bounds. He will simply pray at every opportunity. Today's prayer is a continuation of yesterday's. And today's prayer will be continued tomorrow. It is said that a holy man never used the dismissal prayer "Through the prayers of our holy Fathers..." because his prayer life had no end.
Difficulty in making prayer a daily experience is indicative of a serious weakness in our spiritual life. But, with recognition and acknowledgment of this weakness, we should not be disheartened. Rather, we should let it be a stimulus to intensified and more persistent efforts. We can learn to pray virtually anywhere we may be, whenever we think of it. But there should be special times, in addition to church services, when we conduct our individual prayers. And, as Abba (Father) Isaac suggests for each monk within his cell, we must seek the quietest place available for our prayers.
Once Abba (Father) Makarios of Egypt was asked how we should pray and he answered in this way:
"It is not necessary to babble foolishly at great lengths, but to extend your arms and to say: "Lord, have mercy on me as You desire and know best.' And if there is a war about to break out, say: 'Lord, help me,' for He knows what is best for us and provides His mercy."
We have prayer with words, and we can also make our entire life a prayer, a sacrifice of consecration to God, a prayer without words, which is perhaps the strongest and greatest prayer. Let us sit, patiently, tirelessly, as permanent disciples listening to God speak, ignorant, innocent, humble, poor, dumb before the All-Merciful Father, let us beseech His mercy, His salvation, and His salutary help with "ineffable sighs." With a silent prayer, let us allow God to speak in our life. Let us allow Him to do whatever He desires with us, that we may become similar to the Saints, His ever obedient children, and be restored to our pristine and original beauty, making His life truly our own life.
Abba (Father) Isaac says that when you approach God to pray, "think of yourself as an insignificant ant, a creeping creature of the earth, a leech, a stammering infant."
Abba (Father) Serapion says that the stance of people in prayer must be like that of soldiers standing guard, constant, vigilant, in a state of emergency and courageous readiness.
That great teacher of prayer, Saint John Chrysostomos, whose entire life was a petition, has this to say:
"We must pray with every vigilant attention. And this will be possible if we understand well with whom we are conversing, and that during such time we are His servants offering sacrifice to God. We must pray with contrition, with tears, with reverence, with serenity and great calmness. Our sins should not stop us from prayer. We should be ashamed of our sins, but they should not keep us from our prayers. Even though you are a sinner, approach God with prayer, that you may be reconciled with Him; give Him an opportunity to forgive your sins, which He will, in order to reveal His love for mankind."
And the Holy Father continues:
"If you are afraid to approach God because of your sins, you are actually hindering Him, to the extent, at least, that is dependent upon you, from expressing His goodness and the wealth of His providential care. Remove afar, therefore, every hesitation and doubt about prayer because of sin."
(To be continued)
___________________________
"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostomos
+++
With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George