Prayer in the Orthodox Christian tradition is not merely a religious ritual but is identified with the core of man's relationship with God. Prayer is the realization of "likeness” to the Father, as the believer turns toward the light and seeks communion with his Creator. It is not a one-sided act, but a dialogue between man and the Lord, with Theotokos, and all heavenly powers.
The saints of our Church have repeatedly emphasized the importance and power of prayer, which can transform man. Their words on prayer remain inspiring and enlightening.
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What Did the Saints Teach Us About Prayer?
Saint Nilus the Ascetic of Sinai
- Strive to keep your mind silent and your speech still during prayer. That way, you will be able to pray.
- Prayer is a seed of gentleness and calmness, a projection of joy and gratitude, and a safeguard against sorrow and melancholy.
- You will find the fruit of any hardship you endure by reflecting upon it during prayer.
- If you are patient, you will pray with joy.
- Undistracted prayer is the highest understanding of the mind; it is the ascent of the mind toward God.
Saint Ephraim of Katounakia
- The best prayer is the one you offer spontaneously. It is not enough to recite the Communion prayers mechanically, saying, for example, “from unclean lips, from an abominable heart...” We read the words but often do not understand what we are saying. You must find the prayer yourself, so that you understand what you are saying to God. This has great power!
- When a person prays to God, he absorbs, in a way, the qualities of God. God is good. He is not angry, He is patient. After prayer, you too will experience this quality, so that whatever others do to you, it will not disturb you, because grace has stood upon you. This grace will inspire you to pray continually. By praying to God, you acquire His qualities.
- Test yourself: take your prayer rope, sit for an hour, pray until you get tired. Then take other spiritual nourishment, read, chant, or engage in some physical work. Changing your spiritual nourishment is very beneficial.
- Prayer, the prayer rope, and almsgiving overcome sin through God’s mercy. No sin is greater than the mercy of God.
Saint Gregory of Sinai
- Prayer, in its essence, is the union and communion of man with God. In its effects, it is the creation and preservation of the world, reconciliation with God, mother of tears as well as daughter of forgiveness, a bridge that saves us from temptations, a wall that protects us from sorrows, the end of wars, the work of angels, nourishment for all bodies, future joy, labor that never ceases, source of virtues, giver of great charisma, invisible progress, food for the soul, enlightenment of the mind, an axe that strikes despair, proof of hope, dissolution of sorrow, the wealth of monks, the treasure of hermits, reduction of anger, mirror of spiritual progress, revelation of moderation in our choices, declaration of spiritual state, uncovering of future events, and a sign of one’s spiritual glory.
Saint Basil the Great
- Prayers often do not change things for you; they change you for the things to come.
