Definition of Prayer, by long ago theologians

I just got back from St. Scholastica, a convent. I'd like to share some great highlights from my experience, but I am still processing some of my thoughts.

But I will try to begin and hopefully build on these two long quotes from a book I read yesterday. It is a volume written by Tomas Spildik, called Prayer: The Spirituality of the Christian East (Vol. 2). It was a book I couldn't put down. There were so many interesting views about prayer from different theologian and historical views.


As I passingly picked up the book, I turned into the first chapter where the author began with various definitions on prayer by long ago theologians. These two defintions inspired me to continue reading. Hopefully, may these two quotes also shed some inspiration to you, as it did for me. Allow these two theologians to enlighten you, as you think about your own definition of prayer.


As one theologian said, Prayer is 'the breathing of the spirit'.
"As the lungs expand to draw in the life-giving elements of air by breathing, so do the depths of our soul open and expand during prayer, and our spirit mounts up to God to receive the gift that allows us to be united with him. And as the oxygen received by the blood is then conveyed to the entire body to vivify it, so the gift received from God permeates everything that is in us and vitalizes our entire inner being." ~by Ibid

Another is by John Climacus, he defines prayer as follows:
"Prayer by reason of its nature is the converse and union of man with God, and by reason of its action upholds the world and brings about reconciliation with God; it is the mother and also the daughter of tears, the propitiation for sin, a bridge over temptations. a wall against afflictions, a crushing of conflicts, work of angels, food of all the spiritual beings, future gladness, boundless activity, the spring of virtues, the source of graces, invisible progress, food of the soul, the enlightening of the mind, an axe for despair, a demonstration of hope, the annulling of sorrow, the wealth of monks, the treasure of solitaries, the reduction of anger, the minor of progress, the realization of the future, a sign of glory. For him who truly prays, prayer is the court, the judgment hall and the tribunal of the Lord before the judgment to come."