Learning to Pray Quotes

“Rules are an essential part of any community, because they enable us to bring order to the group, so that we can live in relative harmony with others.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“Now, Jesus was (and is) real of course, but you get the idea. His life is a story that reveals what God is like. So, for Christians, if you want to learn about God, get to know Jesus, the parable of God.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“Our souls recognize God because they were created by God.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“Not only do I have good friends, but I also have friends who are good.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“I will recommend focusing on gratitude. This is not to dismiss or cover up the sadness. Rather, when we are sad, we tend to assume that there is no good at all in life. Focusing on gratitude helps to restore our whole vision.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“Guilt says, “I did a bad thing.” Shame says, “I am a bad person.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“lies, illusions, and self-serving excuses that cloud our minds make us less able to give and receive love.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“Then, when you sit in the chair, you’re reminded, often in a surprising way, that God is gazing upon you and is with you in your prayer.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“examen.” Essentially a review of the day, it helps you see where God is active in your daily life.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“Occasionally during prayer, when I catch myself daydreaming, I say to myself, “You’re speaking with God! Pay attention!”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“being present.” Once you are present to what you are saying, you express it differently, and as a result it sounds different”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“God can change)”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“As my sister tells her children, “You have two ears and one mouth for a reason: listening is more important than talking.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“today we no longer value silence at all. Electronic gadgets—cell phones, laptops, and so on—have created a world of constant stimulation.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“Aristotle, who believed that we become like the object of our contemplation.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“Few people have “heard” God’s voice in a physical way (that is, few sane people).”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“mine what we know about human relationships for ways to understand our relationship with God.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“For me, prayer is intentional one-on-one time with God. It occurs in the context of personal relationship with God but, more specifically, it is what happens when you are intentionally trying to speak with, listen to, or be with God.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“Looking at our personal relationships can help us get our prayer life in order.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“Immortal, invisible, God only wise, In light inaccessible hid from our eyes, Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious, Thy great Name we praise.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“far-off, abstract, intangible God”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“do not analyze or argue it, describe or define it—I am one with it.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“Our hearts cry out,”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.2”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“an awareness of who’s in charge. Hint: not you.”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“basically, we pray because we love God. Father Barry writes, “The primary motive for prayer is love, first the love of God for us and then the arousal of our love for God.”3 We pray to come”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“simply as an important insight or a confirmation about”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.”27”
― James Martin, Learning to Pray: A Study of Prayer Traditions and Practice