Chapter 38

Noetic Prayer Has Power When the Inner Drawing Comes

Noetic prayer exists when someone, having established themselves in attention in the heart, raises prayer to God from there. Noetic practice consists of when someone, standing in attention in the heart with remembrance of the Lord, tears away every other thought that tries to penetrate the heart. (7, 56)

Noetic prayer consists of standing with the mind in the heart before God, simply or with petition, thanksgiving, and praise. This is not the time to occupy oneself with reasoning: everything has its own moment. When that inner drawing comes, then noetic prayer appears in power and in its true form, while until that moment it is only sought; here it exists in deed. Therefore, reflections, self-reflection, and reasoning, as well as all other self-movement, must truly be abandoned and suppressed if they arise during the manifestation of the inner drawing, but not the noetic prayer itself. One should not only not abandon it but maintain it in every way, so that this good and beneficial state continues as long as possible. (16, 47–48)