Saying of the Desert Christians: Prayer 1

from: http://www.thenazareneway.com/paradise_of_the_desert_fathers.htm

They asked abba Macarius, "How should we pray?" And the old man replied, "There is no need to speak much in prayer; often stretch out your hands and say, "Lord, as you will and as you know, have mercy on me." But if there is war in your soul, add, "Help me!" and because he knows what we need, he shows mercy on us."

Some thoughts:

So much for our breviaries, prayer books, collections of prayers or even the Knitternun Meditation (see sig)!! They seem so elaborate in comparison to what Macarius teaches. I confess on many an occasion, my prayer is limited to the Jesus Prayer ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Prayer ) or even when I have been bombarded by stress over mom's health crises
simply "Jesus".

I take great comfort in this Saying. It reminds me that God knows my deepest heart and thought. At the same time, I do not mean to knock our breviaries, prayer books etc. I love to sink into the Daily Offices, joining the millions who have gone before me, the millions today and the billions to come to pray the Psalms.