Chapter 66

Meditation on God Opens the Path to Unceasing Prayer

Apply meditation on God—at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end—or…however it comes for you without ceasing…often, as you wish. Meditation on God is deep reflection on the divine economy of salvation, either in general or on some one subject belonging to it. As soon as you awake, at once survey all things—from creation to the Second Coming, the Judgment, and the determination of everyone’s lot… Then take one subject and sink deeply into it until it embraces your heart… And in this embrace, then make your prayer… And so all day…mingle meditation on God with prayer. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him. (11, 209)

General meditation on God corrects and renews the overall disposition. It is good always to bring it to completion—that is, to place yourself at the judgment of God as though it were happening in reality, and then cry out: “Lord, have mercy!” The fathers write: the very best way to stand during prayer is to stand at the Judgment. From meditation on God, some subject will draw nearer to the heart than others. Then when this exercise is finished, you should linger on it and nourish yourself with it for longer. In this way the path to unceasing prayer is opened. (6, 227)