Quotes of the Day for October 28, 2020 – Thoughts on why continuous prayer

“The Lord Jesus directs us to continuous prayer because He knows that quick, easy results, obtained conveniently and effortlessly, only tempt us. We of course prefer to ask once and receive immediately, at our convenience. Our self-indulgence prefers methods that involve no struggle. If we receive easily, however, we are likely to remain flabby in our relationship with God. There are other darker, evasive desires that keep us from remaining constant in prayer. We like to keep God at bay, involving Him only when we want something. For this reason, we avoid investment! Easily answered prayers are another way to avoid God’s will and His purposes.” (Dynamis 10/28/2020)

“Let not one think, my fellow Christian, that only priests and monks need to pray without ceasing and not laymen. No, no; every Christian without exception ought to dwell always in prayer…There is not a sudden attainment of complete holiness; it is progressive, a continuous process.” (St. Gregory Palamas, Holy Apostles Convent)

“Prayer is a request for what is good, offered by the devout of God.  But we do not restrict this request simply to what is stated in words…We should not express our prayer merely in syllables, but the power of prayer should be expressed in the moral attitude of our soul and in the virtuous actions that extend throughout our life… This is how you pray continually — not by offering prayer in words, but by joining yourself to God through your whole way of life, so that your life becomes one continuous and uninterrupted prayer.” (St. Basil the Great)

“…let it be emphasized that God is not to be dealt with in a few minutes out of the entire twenty-four hour period. God is for the entire day. His abiding presence should accompany us continuously so that all our activities are a preparation for the sacred hours when we embrace God. And, in turn, these sacred hours of prayer will strengthen us for the struggles that follow.” (Monk Moses) 

“Prayer is words, thoughts, and actions. The more we strive daily to be people of prayer and the more we seek God first above all else, the more our words, thoughts, and actions become integrated and operate in unison as our fragmentation within due to sin is healed. You know persons who “prays unceasingly” and live lives of continuous prayer when you meet them. Their words, thoughts, and actions are consistent and reflect the love and beauty of the Lord, and their presence enriches you.” (Sacramental Living Ministries)

#Dynamis #StGregoryPalamas #HolyApostlesConvent #StBasiltheGreat #MonkMoses #SacramentalLivingMinistries