Secrets of Personal Prayer

From the heart. "You must learn to pray from your own heart and not from your head. A man's mind is so limited in its operation that it can only focus upon one object at a time, but the prayer that comes from the heart cannot be interrupted by reason".

Easier than breathing. "We need to know how to seek God, and this is easier and more natural than breathing. By prayer you can live in the presence of God with as little effort as you live with the air you are now breathing".

The right attitude. "Pour out your heart's desire before the Father, and wait in silence before him. Always leave a time in silence when praying, lest the heavenly Father wants to reveal his will to you. Come to him as a helpless child, wounded by various falls, bereft of the strength to stand or the power to cleanse yourself".

Without repetition. "Do not burden yourself with frequent repetition of ready-made forms or studied sentences. It is far better to be totally led by the Holy Spirit".

Drought. "Do not be impatient in your times of drought, wait patiently for God; as you do this, your prayer life will increase and be renewed. In abandonment and contentment, learn to wait for the return of your Beloved".

Surrender. "Great faith produces great surrender. Surrender means to divest yourself of all selfish longing or concern, in order to be totally at His divine disposal. You must surrender both external and internal things. Forget yourself; think only of Him. In doing so, your heart will remain free and at peace".

Infants. "When an infant drinks its mother's milk, it begins by moving its little mouth and lips; but once its food begins to flow abundantly, it lies still swallowing without any effort. Who could believe that gently and effortlessly we can receive our food as a baby receives its milk? Yet the more at peace a child remains, the more nourishment it receives. This is how your spirit should be in prayer, peaceful, relaxed and effortless".

Unworthiness. "Be careful not to let your mind dwell too much on your weakness and unworthiness. These excessive feelings arise from a root of pride, and from a love of our own excellence."

Youth. "Teach the young to pray, not by reasoning or method, but by prayer that comes from the heart, prayer that comes from the Spirit of God, rather than from the invention of man. Leading them to pray in pre-elaborated ways will create enormous obstacles; by striving to teach them the refined language of prayer, you will have led them astray. And you, children, speak to your heavenly Father in His natural language. Though it may be simple to you, it is not simple to him. A father is more pleased to be spoken to with love and respect, because it comes from the heart, rather than using dry and sterile elaborate words."

Madame Guyon (1648-1717).

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