The Three Levels of Prayer

Reflections on spiritual development using the Jesus prayer.

by

St. Theophan the Recluse

I.  It begins as oral prayer or prayer of the lips, a simple recitation defined as a verbal expression.  Although very important, this level of prayer is still external to us and thus only the first step, for the essence or soul of prayer is within a man's  heart and mind.
 

II.   As we enter more deeply into prayer, we reach a level at which we begin to pray without distraction. At this point, the mind is focused upon the words of the prayer, speaking them as if they were ones own.
 

III.  The third level, is prayer of the heart. At this stage prayer is no longer something we do but who we are. Such prayer, which is a gift of the Spirit, is to return to the Father as did the prodigal son. The prayer of the heart is the prayer of adoption, when "God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba, Father!' " { Galatians 4:6 }

Growth in prayer has no end, If this growth ceases, it means that life ceases. The way of the heart is endless because the God whom we seek is infinite in the depths of His Glory.

"pray without ceasing".  { 1 Thessalonians 5.17 }

"no one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit"                   { I Corinthians  12:3 }

To read more about 'the prayer of the heart, the Jesus prayer', we recommend to our visitors the following books.