Another insight from the Orthodox blogosphere – this time on prayer – taken from the writings of Archimandrite Zacharias. A longer version of the quotation can be read on Christ in Our Midst (which is both sumptuous to look at and edifying to read).
Prayer is an endless creation; it is a school that teaches us to remain in the presence of the Lord. This effort to remain with the Lord is an exercise that finally overcomes death, which is why our prayer must be neither superficial nor mechanical. We must unite mind and heart in order to learn true mental prayer, in other words, we must pray with our whole inner being, with all our mind and heart.
Prayer is a school, and humility is the key to success in this discipline. Let us be humble. Let us have the certainty of our own nothingness before God, knowing that the only thing that makes us truly human is the breath that our God and Creator has breathed into us. In every other respect we are earth, and earth is trodden underfoot. What makes us truly precious is the breath of God, received by us at the time of our creation and at our re-creation in holy baptism. This breath is what makes us the image and likeness of God.
3 comments:
"This effort to remain with the Lord is an exercise that finally overcomes death"
ouch, I have a looooooooooooooooong way to go! oh dear.
Prayer is the test of everything; prayer is also the source of everything; prayer is the driving force of everything, prayer is also the director of everything. If prayer is right, everything is right. For prayer will not allow anything to go wrong. - Theophan the Recluse
Berenike - same here!
The Cellarer - thanks; Theophan is a wonderful source of wisdom on the spiritual life.
Post a Comment