God answering / not answering prayer

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Aphrat the Persian

  • How lovely is prayer and how radiant are its works. Prayer is acceptable to God when it is accompanied by good deeds, and it is heard when it rises out of a spirit of forgiveness. Prayer is always answered when it is pure and sincere. Prayer is powerful when it is suffused with God's vigour.

Sts Barsanuphius and John (6th Century)

  • 'When we pray and God delays in hearing (our prayer), He does this for our benefit, so as to teach us longsuffering; wherefore we need not become downcast saying: 'We prayed, and were not heard.' God knows what is profitable for a man.' (Guidance Toward Spiritual Life: Answers to the Questions of Disciples, 35; trans. Fr Seraphim Rose, p. 47.)

St Isaac the Syrian (7th/8th cent.)

  • 'If God is slow in answering your request, or if you ask but do not promptly receive anything, do not be upset, for you are not wiser than God.' (Wisdom of St Isaac the Syrian, 5; ed. S. Brock, p. 1.)
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