Chapter 142

On Brief Prayers

It is not a matter of words, but of a brief prayer. Such prayers were not unique in use. Saint Cassian writes that in Egypt they used a prayer like this: “O God, come to my aid; O Lord, hasten to help me” (see: Ps. 69:1)18. In other places other prayers were in use – such as: “My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my covering is the Holy Spirit.” Again: “I, as a human, have sinned; but you, as God, are merciful; have mercy on me, seeing the weakness of my soul.” Between them is the Jesus Prayer. But then – precedence was given to the Jesus Prayer.

The purpose of brief prayers is to help gather the thoughts and watchfulness. The power is not in the words, but in the feeling toward God. It forms quickly in those who labor over prayer.

This is indeed noetic prayer. The mind, standing in the heart, sees God and humbly confesses to him through his invocation. Feeling toward God is unceasing prayer without words.

(Letter 932. Vol. 5, p. 221)