As prayer is an intimate discourse with God Almighty, it is imperative that we collect the mind and thought that they may meditate on their Lord and address themselves to Him without a mediator. For if Moses the great was prevented from approaching the bush until after he had taken off his sandals from his feet, how is it that you intend to address Him Who is Most High and above any sense and thought, without casting off every recklessness and improper thought?
Concentrating the mind and keeping it away from distraction is not easy. It can be
achieved only after long and hard work and persistence in spiritual worship. No one can
attain pure prayer without persistence in worshipping God with a bona fide heart, just as
one cannot learn a trade until after certain length of time.
Therefore, if we do not posses something of these let us not think of leaving prayer until after our minds have been cleansed, otherwise we would be like those who seek perfection without laboring. But let us pray, anyway, and pour our hearts and thoughts before The Merciful One.
He, The Most High, will guide us in His mercy to the haven of life and direct us as He wills. This requires that our intention be well-meaning and our desire intense in concentrating our thought as best as possible. Also, we should avoid everything that could cause us to be reckless, be it external or internal. Let us act according to Father Makarius’s advice:
“If your prayer is not spiritual, strive to attain verbal prayer. The spiritual prayer then will grow.”
Experienced people have known that even though it is difficult, initially, to achieve
concentration of mind, it becomes easier, however, after good training, especially when it
tastes the sweetness of prayer. When it reaches this stage, it withdraws from all that exist
on earth and in heaven and becomes absorbed by the love of its Lord and overwhelmed by
His Majesty. This is the situation with those who attain perfection.
Mor Isaac the Elder says: “Prayer is not a matter of knowledge and eloquent
phraseology. It is rather a Matter of clearing one’s mind from extraneous thoughts,
rendering it serene in a state of concentration attained by silence of movements and
serenity of senses”.
He further says: “pure prayer calls for concentration of mind, serenity
of conscience, tranquility of thoughts, reflection on the new world, hidden comfort, and
discourse with God”
Father Oghris incites collecting the mind away from recklessness saying: “strive to make your mind silent when at prayer never letting it talk. Only then you will be able to pray.”
Mor Yacoub says: “When you hear the sound of the bell, O wise one, hasten to church for prayer. Let your thoughts be collected, not meandering amongst trivialities. It is disgraceful to be in church yourself and let the mind tarry in the market- half of you in one place and the second half in another! Let your whole self be in the church and pray to God humbly and with a sincere intention. Ask Him for mercy and compassion, for He is compassionate, and He answers him who calls upon Him with a submissive heart.”
Saint Ephraim says: “When you pray, have your mind well in control and restrain your thoughts directing them towards your heart. Let not your body be standing there and your mind off on some other occupation. Rather, make of your body a church, and of your mind a splendid temple. Make of your mouth a censer, of your lips incense, and of your tongue a deacon that you may please God.”
Inciting prayer, he further says: “Will you not, O lover of profits, stand upright for prayer wholeheartedly for you will derive benefit from it in both worlds. Do not consider the time of prayer worthless. For every time you pray you store up in the Highest a treasure for yourself. Steal away an hour of your day and pray to your Lord. Your prayer will not be snatched away from you nor will you be robbed of your petition”
The chosen Apostle Paul sums this all up when he says, “I will pray with the spirit; and I will pray with the mind also” (I Corinthians. 14:15).
From THE SPIRITUAL TREASURE ON CANONICAL PRAYER By Mor Ignatius Ephrem Barsoum
Patriarch Of Antioch And All The East