Prayer Is...Part Two

"Prayer is the lifting up of the mind and heart to God," the contemplation of God, the daring converse of the creature with the Creator, the soul reverently standing before Him, as before the King and the Life Itself, giving life to all; the oblivion of everything that surrounds us, the food of the soul; its air and light, its life-giving warmth, its cleansing from sin; the easy yoke of Christ, His light burden.

- Saint John of Kronstadt

Prayer Is...

"Prayer is the constant feeling of our own spiritual poverty and infirmity, the contemplation in ourselves, in others, and in nature of the works of the great wisdom, mercy, and almighty power of God; prayer is--a continually grateful frame of mind."

- Saint John of Kronstadt

The Pearl of Heaven

"As only those born of the seed royal can wear the costly royal pearl, so only the children of God are allowed to wear the pearl of heaven..."

- Saint Macarius the Egyptian

The Lord’s Teaching

“The enemy brings darkness upon everyone and they all think that it is light, when in their teachings they remain far from the Lord’s teaching.”

- Saint Theophan the Recluse

Christ's Holy Name

“The more the rain falls on the earth, the softer it makes it: similarly, Christ's holy name gladdens the earth of our heart the more we call upon it.”

- Saint Hesychios the Priest

The Poison of Doubt

"When the enemy strikes your heart with doubt in any word of the Savior and wounds you, say to yourself inwardly: every word of my God Jesus Christ is life to me, and the poison of doubt shall be cast out from your heart, and your soul will be tranquil and at ease."

- Saint John of Kronstadt

Enduring

"But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. However, not everyone who endures will be saved, but only he who endures on the Lord’s path. This life is given to us for that reason—to endure; everyone endures something, even through to the very end. But enduring does not lead to benefit if it is not for the sake of the Lord and His holy Gospels. Step onto the path of faith and the Gospel commandments; occasions to endure will multiply, but from that moment endurance will begin to bring forth crowns. That endurance, which before was empty, will be made fruitful. With what blindness does the enemy surround us, that only the endurance which is encountered on the path of good seems heavy and unbearable; but what he inflicts on those who serve the passions seems light and free, although it is actually heavier and more dismal than what people bear in struggling with the passions and opposing the enemy! But we are blind, and do not see this… We labour, endure, and strain ourselves to the breaking point for the sake of the enemy, and unto our own perdition."

- Saint Theophan the Recluse

Reference: http://days.pravoslavie.ru/en/Days/20120803.htm