Saint Theophan the Recluse offers us some excellent advice about how to prepare for prayer.
To
pray we must draw inward in such a way that both our heart and mind are
absorbed in the content of the prayer. This means that we need to
become very attentive to the actual words of the prayer and set aside
all other thoughts.
He
uses the analogy of sitting down to write a note, article or term
paper. You do not just sit down and begin writing. First you need to
gather your thoughts and get yourself in the mood for this task. This
kind of preparation is even more necessary when you sit down for prayer.
He writes,
"So,
Morning or evening, immediately before you begin to repeat your
prayers, first stand for a while, sit for awhile, or walk a little. Try
to steady your mind, then turn it away fro all worldly activities and
objects."
Here
is is asking that we set aside all the thoughts we may have running
through our minds about the problems we are embroiled in, our concerns
about activities of the day, or any disagreements we may of had with
family or friends and so forth. We want to pull our mind away from all
the cares that we face in this world, so it can be uplifted in our
prayer to the invisible realm, heaven itself, where we find God who we
are about to address.
He continues,
"After
this, think of who He is, Him to whom you turn in prayer. Next,
recollect who you are; who it is who is about to start this invocation
to Him in prayer."
God
is no less than your Creator and even more, as He created all that is
visible and invisible! He is all powerful and has infinite love and
patience for all His creation. He wants everyone to be in union with him
and to love Him as He loves us. When preparing to share your time with
Him, think about how you would prepare to go to meet a very important
person who help you need on a project you are involved with. You have to
focus on their needs and agenda so you can present your needs in a way
that they will support it. Well, in prayer you are facing the most
powerful entity known and you need to be focused on who He is. Saaint
Theophan is reminding us that he is not our grandfather or some other
like person. Be mindful of Who God is as you enter into prayer,
Next he says,
"Do
this in such a way as to waken in your heart a feeling of humility and
reverent awe because you are standing in the presence of God."
Reflect on what it means to stand in the presence of God. This is what you are doing in prayer.
Saint Theophan says further,
"When
the heart is conscious and feels the need for prayer, then the
attentive heart itself will not let your thoughts slide to other
matters. It will force you to cry out to the Lord in your prayers. Most
of all, be aware of your own helplessness: were it not for God, you
would be lost. If someone who is doomed to disaster were to stand before
the one person who, with a glance, could save him, would he look here
and there for his salvation? No, he would fall down before him and beg
mercy. So it will be, when you approach Him in prayer with an awareness
of all-encompassing peril and the knowledge that on can save you but
God."
To
frequently we try to enter into prayer without preparing ourselves. We
try and enter into it without proper care or thought. Then we rush to
get it over with as if it were some routine obligation we need to
fulfill.
He says,
"Without
preparation, how can there be a gathering of thought and feeling in
prayer? Without preparation, prayer proceeds shakily instead of
firmly.... Such a careless attitude toward prayer is a crime, a serious
one--- a capital one. Consider prayer the central labor of your life and
hold it in the center of your heart. Address in its rightful role, not
as a secondary function!"
Remember
always that God is your helper. Be diligent in fulfilling your prayer
rule and it will bring you great benefit when you properly prepare
yourself for this effort. Work hard at it. You will find many forces
working to discourage you .
Saint Theophan advises,
"Once
experienced, pure prayer will draw you on and enliven your spiritual
life, becoming you to more attentive, more difficult, and ever-deepening
prayer."
The quotes above are from Saint Theophan's 1st Homily on Prayer and from Letter 48
