While I think there is a place (perhaps a big place) for prayers that are flung God-ward in haste born of need or emotion or...I found this thought provoking. What do you think?
From the Letters of Bishop Theophan the Recluse
Preparing For Prayer
All of us have this little sin hanging about us...we do not prepare for prayer. We take up prayer with flighty thoughts, willy-nilly, and rush to get it over with, as if it were an incidental, though unavoidable, bother—and not the center of our life, as it should be. Without preparation, how can there be a gathering of thought and feeling in prayer? Without preparation, prayer proceeds shakily instead of firmly. No, you must determine to deny yourself this little sin and under no circumstance allow yourself to come to prayer with your heart and mind unprepared, your thoughts and feelings scattered in a dozen directions. Such a careless attitude toward prayer is a crime... Consider prayer the central labor of your life and hold it in the center of your heart. Address it in its rightful role, not as a secondary function!
3 comments:
Wise words indeed, though I'd hate anyone to think they were praying wrong (sinning) if they don't always manage to prepare.
Yes. Pretty much my thought too!
Yes, I agree Emma...
but I love the point of preparing oneself to meet the Holy...
It's lovely.
However, my flinging of prayer God-ward seems to be the very core of my life...in conversation all the time!
Thank you Dorcas...
This is very thought provoking.
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