Pray simply. Do not expect to find in your heart any remarkable gift of prayer. Consider yourself unworthy of it. Then you will find peace. Use the empty, cold dryness of your prayer as food for your humility. Repeat constantly, “I am not worthy. Lord, I am not worthy!” But say it calmly, without agitation. This humble prayer will be acceptable to God. – Starets Makarii of Optina (1788-1860 #prayer #seeking #orthodox #orthodoxy #coptic #dailyreading #churchfathers
Pray simply. Do not expect to find in your heart any remarkable gift of prayer. Consider yourself unworthy of it. Then you will find peace. Use the empty, cold dryness of your prayer as food for your humility. Repeat constantly, “I am not worthy. Lord, I am not worthy!” But say it calmly, without agitation. This humble prayer will be acceptable to God.
– Starets Makarii of Optina (1788-1860 #prayer #seeking #orthodox #orthodoxy #coptic #dailyreading #churchfathers
