Quotes from the Directory on Prayer

What is prayer? It is simply the speech of the heart to God. P8-21

A fervent prayer keeps away sleep and penetrates heaven. P356-9

The Sisters must have a great desire to advance in the path of perfection. The principal means in their power to do so is prayer and union with God. P7-18

The presence of God does not consist in thinking of Him every now and then, but in the consciousness of His Presence in all our actions. P8-22

The first thoughts of the day should be reserved for God, and afterwards, let us do all for God in the service of His suffering and abandoned members. P346-1

Let us commit ourselves entirely into the Hands of God, Who knows better than we what is best for us, and Who, without our perhaps being conscious of it, works constantly to elevate us to Him, provided we abandon ourselves to His guidance. P346-2

If we find nothing to say to God, if our tongue remain dumb, let us show Him our heart, let Him see in it only a true desire to be His, to do what He wills; that will go straight to His Heart, better than the most beautiful speech. Let us accept everything from Him. P347-7

When we cannot reflect much, let us do what we can, and our heart will do the rest. P347-7

Prayer is the greatest of powers, and the first of prayers is: “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done”. P352-42

Let us speak to Our Lord as to a Friend. P353-54

Let us speak to God about all our miseries, all our needs, all our pains. We cannot speak to Him too freely, nor with too much confidence. Let us tell Him all that we have in our heart, our joys, our desires, and our repugnance’s. Our weaknesses. We shall never exhaust the subject matter. P353-55

Prayer is an act of humility and confidence which inclines the powerful towards the weak. P353-57

When we pray, let us look at Our Lord, and let us remain in His Presence. P354-58

We cannot do anything without prayer, and we can do everything with it, because God has promised everything to it. P354-60

God hears us wherever we are, whether we are on the land or on the sea, without our moving our lips. We can pray to Him in our heart without uttering a word. P354-62

Prayer begins to wither as soon as the water of confidence no longer irrigates its roots. P354-63

A Sister of Compassion must unite most perfectly, without ever separating them, the life of Martha with the life of Mary-action and contemplation. We must be all for God, and God must be all for us. P359-22

“I do not know how to pray, O My God! Let my actions be a continual prayer and speak to you of my love” Life is short; I will go to heaven by the most direct way. P401-5

When we seek only God, we cannot be deceived. P401-6