A Short Method of Prayer

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

24989

Title

A Short Method of Prayer

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Jeanne Marie Bouvier de la Motte Guyon presents a simple, accessible path to divine union, arguing that true prayer is an intuitive, heart-centered abandonment to God rather than complex meditation. Written with profound humility, this work invites all believers, especially the 'little ones,' to find sovereign happiness through faith and simplicity.

Summary up to 500 words

In 'A Short Method of Prayer,' Madame Jeanne Marie Bouvier de la Motte Guyon challenges conventional religious practices, asserting that spiritual perfection is not a difficult feat but one requiring only childlike simplicity and total trust in God. She distinguishes between vocal or meditative prayer and the superior 'prayer of the heart,' a state where the soul rests intuitively in God's presence, remaining uninterrupted by external occupations. Guyon guides readers through degrees of prayer, moving from initial petition to the 'prayer of simplicity' and finally to the 'higher degree' of intuitive presence. She explains that spiritual dryness and suffering are not obstacles but necessary purifications, akin to fire refining gold. In this process, the soul must be stripped of its own works and 'appropriations' to be united with the divine. Guyon emphasizes that God actively purifies the soul, making it a passive recipient of His love. The book concludes by urging preachers and spiritual guides to lead souls directly to this interior life, warning against the pride of self-made piety. Ultimately, the work is a passionate plea to cease striving and simply 'abandon' oneself to the Divine Will. Guyon argues that those who seek God with a sincere heart will find Him infallibly, promising that the way to the hidden sanctuary of communion is a simple trust in a living Saviour and an entire self-abandonment to Him. She asserts that while meditation has its place, true divine union requires a passive purification where the soul yields to God's wisdom, which acts like fire to consume impurity and elevate the creature to a state of uniformity with the Creator. This interior silence allows the soul to hear God's voice clearly, fostering a love that melts the heart and renders the believer a living sacrifice.

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Categories

• Religion