A day for prayer is really good, but I believe and practice that everyday is a day of prayer!  Let me add International to National Day of Prayer while I’m at it.  It’s controversial; just look at the Franklin Graham (son of Billy) swell around saying a prayer at the Pentagon today, and the court decision finding that unconstitutional.  Enough on that – time to pray!

I mentioned earlier this week that I am finishing a movie and book on ancient prayer, specifically a very old one from the first century, C.E.  Please join our prayerful community and take a sneak peek at www.MysteriesoftheJesusPrayer.com  — if you join our group, you’ll receive many prayers and helpful tips for your life.  Think of it as the wisdom of the ages on the net!

Today, I want to share some of what you will receive by becoming part of our group – ancient prayers that are very beautiful and useful.  We’ve dusted off the centuries-old prayer books.  We’ve visited monasteries closed to the public, and spoken with monks and nuns who are isolated from the world so they can constantly pray.

Here’s one from the 7th century, from a monk who was at the monastery at Mount Sinai in Egypt, at St. Catherine’s Monastery.  We have visited and filmed there for you.  It’s by St. John Climacus, who wrote an instruction manual for monks on how to pray and purify, to “climb the ladder to heaven” to be with God for eternity.  His very name, Climacus, means “ladder.”  Or “to climb.”

Prayer

By its very nature, prayer
avails both our conversation
and our union with the God.

Its sure effect is (notice now!) to hold
the world together.  Prayer
is both the mother and the daughter

of our tears, and occasions
expiation of all sin.  It is a bridge
across temptation and a wall

against affliction, both a future
joy and present act, endlessly
opening to a flood of graces.

Don’t you love that?  I really do.  And it was written so long ago, in the 7th century, in the middle of the desert.

This lovely translation is by my friend and world-renowned poet, Scott Cairns.  It may be found in his inspiring book of ancient prayers, Love’s Immensity: Mystics on the Endless Life.  I recommend you get a copy for your spiritual library right now; please click here.

What is YOUR favorite prayer?  Please share it by posting below.

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Have you joined my “Mysteries of the Jesus Prayer” group?  Please sign up now so you won’t miss the wonderful ancient prayers, meditations, and news about my upcoming movie and book.  Go to www.MysteriesoftheJesusPrayer.com