What the Christian prayer tradition Still Knows

An ancient prayer from Syrian Clementine Liturgy for peace, love, morning.

Prayer is not an escape hatch from the world. In the older Christian writers, it is usually the opposite: a way of standing still long enough for God to tell the truth about the world and about us.

The source text, drawn from the Christian prayer tradition, turns on a simple pressure: the soul cannot heal itself by becoming more articulate. It must be addressed, searched, forgiven, and led.

The author is not trying to be novel. That is precisely the relief. The prayer belongs to a Church old enough to have buried many fashions.

The old words are not museum pieces. They are tools with worn handles. Pick them up.