Chapter 55

The Test of All Prayer

As for your inner state, I see nothing improper in it. That there is sweetness and warmth, and desire to withdraw from all else, and fear of something breaking such a state—all this is in order. Are you afraid of falling into spiritual sensuality? How could that reach you?! For prayer is not performed for the sake of sweetness, but because it is our duty to serve God in this manner; sweetness is a necessary accompaniment of true service. Moreover, in prayer the chief thing is standing before God with your mind in the heart, with reverence and fear that sobering and dispelling all conceit and planting grief before God in the heart. These feelings—fear of God and grief, or a broken and humbled heart (Ps. 50:19)—are the chief marks of true inner prayer and the test of all prayer, by which we must judge whether our prayer is proceeding in proper order or not. When they are present—prayer is in order. When they are absent—it is not in order, and you must bring it into proper form. Without them, sweetness and warmth can breed self-conceit, and this is spiritual pride, and this will be pernicious spiritual delusion. Then sweetness and warmth will depart; memory of them alone will remain, yet the soul will still think it has them. Fear this and all the more kindle fear of God, humility, and tearful turning to God, walking always in God’s presence. This is the chief thing!

(Letter 291. Issue 2, p. 145–146)