Simplicity in prayer

From Monachos Patristic Quotations Index

St John of the Ladder (6th/7th cent.)

• 'Let your prayer be complete simple. For both the publican and the prodigal son were reconciled to God by a single phrase.' (The Ladder to Paradise, Step 28.5; ed. Archimandrite Lazarus, p. 251.)

• 'Do not be over-sophisticated in the words you use when praying, because the simple and unadorned lisping of children has often won the heart of their heavenly Father.' (ibid., 28.9; p. 251.)

• 'Do not attempt to talk much when you pray, lest your mind be distracted in searching for words. One word of the publican propitiated God, and one cry of faith saved the thief. Loquacity in prayer often distracts the mind and leads to phantasy, whereas brevity (Gr. monologia) makes for concentration.' (ibid., 28.10; p. 251.) ^[1]

Notes

1. ↑ Monologia, the Greek monologia often means the repetition of a single word or phrase.