Chapter 106

Without a Prayer Rule, Prayer is Not Complete

As you have resolved to act with regard to prayer, well. Take care to arrange yourself thus and cultivate it. A prayer rule is a safe protection of prayer. Prayer is an internal activity, and a prayer rule is external.

But just as a human being is not complete without a body, so prayer is not complete without a prayer rule. One must have both and perform them according to one’s strength. The binding law is to pray internally, and to pray always and everywhere.

But prayer service cannot be without a definite time, place and measure. The determination of these three constitutes a prayer rule.

And here the guide is prudence; when, where, how long to stand at prayer and what prayers to use—anyone can determine according to their circumstances: increase, decrease, shift the time and place—direct all things so that internal prayer is performed as it should be. Regarding internal prayer itself, there is but one rule: pray without ceasing (Cf.: 1 Thess. 5:17).

(Letter 947. Vol. 6, p. 20)