Prayer 1: Frameworks and Freedom

How does Orthodox personal prayer work?

• The prayers of the Church give us a framework to help us to pray: they teach us to pray in the right God-centred way.
• The framework helps us get started and keeps us growing, like a trellis helps a plant.
• Every plant grows in an individual way, so the framework is not a legalistic prison.
• Learn gradually the church prayers and use them as a base and motivator for prayer.
• Add your own personal prayer at the end.
• Try different prayers and see what resonates most with your heart.
• Avoid getting bored, which kills prayer! (Sts Basil and Isaac etc warn about this).
• Keep reading and learning new prayers to keep your prayer fresh, and avoid a rut.
• Best to pray a little with heart feeling than a long prayer with gritted teeth.
• Sometimes you need to start with a set prayer for a few minutes to settle your mind and calm your heart, then prayer will flow freely.
• Beware turning any "prayer rule" into a straitjacket that kills your heart and prayer.
• Remember: Prayer is a relationship with God. We talk with Him and He speaks to us.
• See "Beginning to Pray" then later "The Art of Prayer" by Metropolitan Anthony. (These should be in every Orthodox Church library).