Contemporary Ministry
The obvious question is how can we, who are not monks, and do not live in the desert, practice the prayer of the heart? And how does the prayer of the heart affect our daily ministry? The answer to this question lies in the formulation of a concrete discipline, a rule of prayer.
There are three characteristics of the prayer of the heart which can help us to formulate this discipline. First of all, the prayer of the heart is nurtured by short, simple prayers. Secondly, the prayer of the heart is unceasing. Finally, the prayer of the heart is all-inclusive. First of all, the prayer of the heart is nurtured by short prayers.
In the context of our verbose culture, it is very significant to hear the Fathers of the Desert discourage us to use many words. Brother Macarius was asked how should one pray. The old man said: “There is no need at all to make long discourses. It is enough to stretch out one’s hand and say ‘Lord, as you will and as you know, have mercy.’ And if the conflict grows fiercer say, ‘Lord, help’. He knows very well what we need and he shows us his mercy.” John Climacus is even more explicit. He writes: “When you pray do not try to express yourself in fancy words. For often it is the simple, repetitious phrases of a little child that our Father in heaven finds most irresistible.
Do not strive for verbosity lest your mind be distracted from devotion by a search for words. One phrase on the lips of the tax collector was enough to win God’s mercy. One humble request made with faith was enough to save the good thief. Wordiness in prayer often subjects the mind to fantasies and dissipation. Simple words of their very nature tend to concentrate the mind. When you find satisfaction or compunction in a certain word of your prayer, stop at that point.” This is a very helpful suggestion.
The quiet repetition of a simple word can help us to descend with the mind into the heart. This repetition has nothing to do with magic. It is not meant to throw a spell on God, or to force him into hearing us. To the contrary, an often-repeated word or sentence can help us to concentrate, to move to the center, to create an inner stillness and thus to listen to the voice of God.
When we simply try to sit silently and wait for God to speak to us we find ourselves bombarded with endless conflicting thoughts and ideas. But when we use a very simple sentence such as “O God come to my assistance” or “Jesus Master, have mercy on me,” or words such as “Lord” or “Jesus”, it is easier to let the many distractions pass by without being misled by them. Such a simple prayer, which can easily be repeated can slowly empty out our crowded interior life and create the quiet space where we can dwell with God. It can be like a ladder along which we can descend in the heart and ascend to God.
Our choice of words depends on our needs and circumstances of the moment. But it is best to stick to the words from Scripture. This way of simple prayer, when we are faithful to it, when we practice it at regular times, slowly leads us to an experience of rest and slowly opens us to God’s active presence. Moreover, we can take this prayer with us into a very busy day, while we are talking, studying, gardening or building, the prayer can continue in our heart and keep us aware of God’s ever-present guidance.
When, for instance, we have spent 20 minutes in the early morning sitting in the presence of God with the words in my mouth, “The Lord is my shepherd” - these words may slowly build a little nest for themselves in our heart and stay there for the rest of our busy day. The discipline is not to come to a deeper insight of what it means that God is called our shepherd, but to come to the inner experience of God’s shepherding action in whatever I think, say or do.
There are three characteristics of the prayer of the heart which can help us to formulate this discipline. First of all, the prayer of the heart is nurtured by short, simple prayers. Secondly, the prayer of the heart is unceasing. Finally, the prayer of the heart is all-inclusive. First of all, the prayer of the heart is nurtured by short prayers.
In the context of our verbose culture, it is very significant to hear the Fathers of the Desert discourage us to use many words. Brother Macarius was asked how should one pray. The old man said: “There is no need at all to make long discourses. It is enough to stretch out one’s hand and say ‘Lord, as you will and as you know, have mercy.’ And if the conflict grows fiercer say, ‘Lord, help’. He knows very well what we need and he shows us his mercy.” John Climacus is even more explicit. He writes: “When you pray do not try to express yourself in fancy words. For often it is the simple, repetitious phrases of a little child that our Father in heaven finds most irresistible.
Do not strive for verbosity lest your mind be distracted from devotion by a search for words. One phrase on the lips of the tax collector was enough to win God’s mercy. One humble request made with faith was enough to save the good thief. Wordiness in prayer often subjects the mind to fantasies and dissipation. Simple words of their very nature tend to concentrate the mind. When you find satisfaction or compunction in a certain word of your prayer, stop at that point.” This is a very helpful suggestion.
The quiet repetition of a simple word can help us to descend with the mind into the heart. This repetition has nothing to do with magic. It is not meant to throw a spell on God, or to force him into hearing us. To the contrary, an often-repeated word or sentence can help us to concentrate, to move to the center, to create an inner stillness and thus to listen to the voice of God.
When we simply try to sit silently and wait for God to speak to us we find ourselves bombarded with endless conflicting thoughts and ideas. But when we use a very simple sentence such as “O God come to my assistance” or “Jesus Master, have mercy on me,” or words such as “Lord” or “Jesus”, it is easier to let the many distractions pass by without being misled by them. Such a simple prayer, which can easily be repeated can slowly empty out our crowded interior life and create the quiet space where we can dwell with God. It can be like a ladder along which we can descend in the heart and ascend to God.
Our choice of words depends on our needs and circumstances of the moment. But it is best to stick to the words from Scripture. This way of simple prayer, when we are faithful to it, when we practice it at regular times, slowly leads us to an experience of rest and slowly opens us to God’s active presence. Moreover, we can take this prayer with us into a very busy day, while we are talking, studying, gardening or building, the prayer can continue in our heart and keep us aware of God’s ever-present guidance.
When, for instance, we have spent 20 minutes in the early morning sitting in the presence of God with the words in my mouth, “The Lord is my shepherd” - these words may slowly build a little nest for themselves in our heart and stay there for the rest of our busy day. The discipline is not to come to a deeper insight of what it means that God is called our shepherd, but to come to the inner experience of God’s shepherding action in whatever I think, say or do.
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