Quotes on Prayer
The bulk of these quotes are from a Judeo-Christian background. However, if you read them with an open mind you will begin to see how they can fit into a Pagan outlook; there is great wisdom and beauty in them!
What is Prayer?
Prayer consists of attention. It is the orientation of all the attention of which the soul is capable towards God. (Simone Weil; 1909-1943)
Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees. (Victor Hugo; 1802-1885)
Prayer is nothing but love. (Saint Augustine of Hippo; 354-430)
Prayer is naught else but a yearning of soul. When it is practiced with the whole heart, it has great power. (St. Mechthild of Magdeburg; 1210-1280)
Prayer is a surge of the heart, a cry of recognition and love embracing both trial and joy. (St Therese of Lisieux; 1873-1897)
Prayer is the contemplation of the facts of life from the highest point of view. (Ralph Waldo Emerson; 1803-1882)
Why Is Prayer Important?
Be not forgetful of prayer. Every time you pray, if your prayer is sincere, there will be a new feeling and new meaning in it, which will give you fresh courage, and you will understand that prayer is an education. (Father Zossima in Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s The Brothers Karmazov)
Prayer is the highest achievement of which the human person is capable. (St. Edith Stein; 1891-1942)
Prayer does not change God, but changes the one who prays. (Soren Kerkegaard; 1813-1855)
Prayer is the mortar that holds our house together. (St. Teresa of Avila; 1515-1582)
When [prayer] is practiced with the whole heart, it has great power. (St. Mechthild of Magdeburg; 1210-1280)
How Do We Pray?
Pray without ceasing. (I Thessalonians 5:17)
Those who pray as well as work at the tasks they have to do, and combine their prayer with suitable activity, will be praying always. That is the only way in which it is possible never to stop praying. (Origen; 185-254)
Prayer need not always be vocal. It can be a more complete awareness and appreciation for the beauty with which God has surrounded us. Prayer helps us to look inward, to examine our lives more clearly, and makes us more aware of the things that truly matter. (Loretta Winter)
We need to learn ways of praying which are compatible with the maturing of our minds and our faith... No one should be content to remain at one level in the life of prayer, nor should we abandon prayer even when ... prayer seems impossible. When we do not know how or what to pray, this too should be part of our prayer. (Perry LeFevre)
Whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. (Matthew, 6:6,8)
Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds. (Phillippians, 4:6-7)
