June 28, 1998
A Holy
Conversation -- The Meaning of Prayer (Part V)
BROTHER: What is pure prayer?
OLD MAN: Pure prayer is little in speech and great in deeds, for if it were not so work
would be more excellent than supplication . . . . For if it be not so why do we ask and
yet not receive, seeing that the mercy of God abounds? The method of penitents is,
however, something different, as is also the labor of the humble, for the penitents are
hirelings, and the humble are sons.
BROTHER: What is the kind of prayer which is not acceptable before God?
OLD MAN: The destruction of enemies, and asking for evil things to come upon those who do
harm to us, and the health of the body, and a multitude of possessions, and abundance of
offspring -- prayers for these things are not acceptable before God. But if God bears with
us while we are sinners and commit offences against Him, how much more is it right that we
should bear with each other? It is not right for us to ask for the things which belong to
the Body, for the wisdom of God provides all things.
BROTHER: How ought we to pray before God?
OLD MAN: For the return of sinners, and the finding of the lost, and the bringing near of
those who are afar off, and friendliness towards those who wrong us, and love towards
those who persecute us, and a sorrowful care for those who provoke to wrath; if a man does
these things, truly there is repentance in his mind, and sinners will often live, and
their souls be redeemed in life. For the prayer which our Lord delivered unto us for the
need of the body is a word which covereth the whole community, and was not uttered solely
for those who are strangers to the world, and who hold in contempt the pleasures of the
body. For he in whose dwelling the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof are found
lacks nothing, even when he asks not.
BROTHER: What is purity of soul?
OLD MAN: Remoteness from anger and from the error of the remembrance of evil things, and
being weaned from the bitter nature, and reconciliation with our enemies, and peace which
is beyond troubling, and simplicity of love which is above this world; with these things
is the inner man cleansed, and he puts on Christ and is redeemed.
BROTHER: What is envy?
OLD MAN: Hatred toward the virtues of other folk, and wickedness towards the good, and a
bitter mind towards the innocent, and anger against those who are prosperous in this
world, and the cloaking of the upright conduct of those who repent, and vexation with the
peace of the lovers of God.
from E. A. Wallis Budge, "The Paradise of the Holy Fathers," Seattle:
St. Nectarios Press, 1984, pp. 266-267
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