PRAYER
Prayer is the energy which accords with the dignity of the intellect; it is the intellect's true and highest activity (p.38 of Philokalia). In a way prayer means the shedding of thoughts and entering into desires of our hearts.
Our teacher Jesus Christ, out of pity for mankind and knowing the utter mercilessness of the demons, severely commands us: ‘Be ready at every hour, for you do not know when the thief will come; do not let him come and find you asleep’ (cf.Matt. 24:42-43). He also says: ‘Take heed, lest your hearts be overwhelmed withdebauchery and drunkenness and the cares of this life, and the hour come upon you unawares’(cf. Luke 21:34).Stand guard, then, over your heart and keep a watch on your senses;and if the remembrance of God dwells peaceably within you, you will catch the thieves when they try to deprive you of it. When a man has an exact knowledge about the nature of thoughts, he recognizes those which are about to enter and defile him, troubling the intellect with distractions and making it lazy. Those who recognize these evil thoughts for what they areremain undisturbed and continue in prayer to God.
God the Father also said: "Perfect prayer is not attained through many words but throught affection and desire, the soul raising herself to Me, with knowlledge of herself and My mercy, seasoned the one with the other." Dialogue p. 92
IF YOU FILL YOURSELF DISTANCING FROM GOD, THEN THAT IS A SIGN THAT YOU ARE NOT PRAYING ENOUGH OR AT ALL. FOR JUST AS WE CALL FRIENDS AND TALK TO THEM TO REMAIN CLOSE AND STAY IN TOUCH, WE LOSE THIS WHEN WE DO NOT. THE SAME WITH GOD.
To be Continued....
