WordsAndPeace

Book Notes: Orthodox Prayer Life, pages 16-24

Orthodox Prayer LifeOrthodox Prayer Life:
The Interior Way
by Matthew the Poor
2003
by Saint Vladimir’s Seminary Press
Goodreads
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Yesterday, I shared quotations from Orthodox Prayer Life, pages 14-15.

Here are some today from pages 16-24.

“Prayer has no purpose other than to glorify God…
we must therefore examine ourselves
and see
whether the ultimate aim of our prayer
is the revelation of God’s glory alone…

Mystically,
prayer is God’s perpetual call within us
drawing us
toward the fulfillment of the ultimate purpose
of our creation,
our union with God…

The eternal purpose of prayer
is man’s reacceptance
of the communion of God’s love,
once and forever.”

“Prayer begins on God’s part as a secret call to stand before Him.
We then carry it as a free response in our yearning to speak with Him.
Afterward, prayer assumes its divine purpose
as an act of repentance and purification.
It subsequently attains its ultimate goal
as a sacrifice of love and humility
that prepares us for fellowship with God…

Prayer is the condition in which we discover our own image,
on which the stamp of the Holy Trinity is impressed…

When we lose prayer,
we actually lose the glory of our image,
and we no longer resemble God in any way.”

I like these quotes putting prayer is the context of the broad picture!

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PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THESE NOTES
Have you read this book?
Any reflection on these quotes?

3 comments

  1. I have this wonderful book! Thanks for sharing such important thoughts from it. Sometimes we can make prayer too hard–I say this from experience–even with the help of teachings on prayer from the Fathers and many saints. At times it is good to put methods aside and just love and thank God with our whole heart, as much as we can muster, since His love for us is so immense, more than enough to contemplate. We can know only a little corner of God’s glory and goodness, but we can love Him, trust Him, and give Him ourselves more and more.

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    Reply

    • Absolutely. The Fathers were not into following methods and techniques. It’s always refreshing to get this simple perspective, and obviously I use “simple” in its most noble meaning.
      So glad you are familiar with it. I think any book by this author is so rich.

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      Reply

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