Prayer

Prayer brings us back from scattered thoughts to attend to God. It gives our heart a direction to rediscover. Fathers advise repetition of short prayers, rather than long prayers, at which we ignore the goal: “Do not make any long speeches when you speak to God in vain; the search for studies and useless words did not distract you, which should be drawn only to this great and divine object. A single word from the customs officer called for God’s mercy. The only one a story full of faith saved the thief. Long speeches usually fulfill he that prays doth vain images, and confuses his attention; few words can pick her up. When you feel pleased and moved by a word that you will
to say in your prayers, stop by him and do not go on, for it is a sure sign that our guardian angel is praying with us “(John Klimek, Ladder, 28th degree).
Prayer keeps us aware of everything all the way is a gift. One psalm says, “Let the poor and needy praise your name no “(Ps 73.21, cit. Kassián, Coll., X, ll). This mood is suitable for God-seekers:
“What poverty can be greater and holier than the poverty of one he has no means in himself, who knows that he has no strength, and therefore expects from the generosity of someone else every day what he needs for life? Who understands that his life and his livelihood depend on everyone a moment in the goodness of the God who sustains him, he promises to be a poor, poor Lord, to whom he sincerely calls day by day: ‘God, I am only a beggar and a poor man, God, help me'” (Kassian, Coll., X, ll).
In addition to the short prayer formulas given in the Psalms, which we can send to God at all times, he suggests the Holy Scriptures give us four forms of prayer, and above all, first-class Lord’s prayer

Four forms of prayer.
St. Paul gave us four levels of prayer:
First of all, I urge that petitions, prayers, requests,  and thanksgiving” be offered to God for all people (1 Tim 2,1). But these four forms of prayer can be mixed.

“The first form of prayer seems to apply to beginners, who are still hurting their vices and who therefore feel remorse.
The second form is peculiar to those who have already advanced and cultivated virtues, and they lift their souls.

The third form is for those who are their deeds fulfill their perfect desires and are moved in their love, to plead for others whose weakness they know.

The fourth form applies to those who no longer burn embarrassing remorse. In his purified Spirit, they calmly remember the wonders and mercy of the Lord generously manifested in the past, granted in the present, and prepared for the future. In their burning heart, they have carried away to a fiery prayer, which the human word cannot pronounce “(Kassián, Coll IX, 15).
Let’s stop at each of these forms of prayer:
– The request first asks for forgiveness and purification of the heart. It is “The cry (…) of a sinner affected by cruelty” (ibid.), Low, as the Psalms remind us to court. “A soul still imbued with fear and the horror of trial and punishment is immediately full of remorse “(ibid.). This is the first time of prayer, the time of purification of the soul.” For according to the words of the Lord love because she knows that she has been forgiven more “(ibid.)
–Prayer expands to the existential dimension. Urgently he asks God for perseverance in spiritual progress, for the grace to continue on the path with the same zeal.
-As a conversation, a person “centrifuges” opens himself to others. He transmits to prayer the path he has taken in the depths of his heart. Prayer is thus, slowly becoming a missionary. Under the pressure of love, which grows in the heart, expands to the world dimension (1 Tim. 2.1-2) is open to all humanity.

Thanksgiving is finally a contemplation of God’s great blessings and a desire for the promised good. The mystery of salvation then occupies all thinking. The Spirit is wholly absorbed in God’s goodness: HELP ON THE ROAD: PRAYER
“When the Spirit remembers the graces God has given in the past when he observes the ones, he receives when he sees the greatness in advance and the multitude of classes which God has prepared for those who love him, warmly thanks the Lord. Sometimes he prays even more fervently. Then our Spirit penetrating the pure sight of the reward that the saints receive. In a future life, he will burst with immense joy in the unspeakable thanksgiving “(Kassián, Coll., IX, 14).