How Can We Pray with the Desert Fathers?

For the Desert Fathers and Mothers, prayer is not merely an isolated moment, confined by the hours of the day or dictated by habit. It is the breath, the rhythm, the breathing of the soul. It permeates every moment of the day, whether it be manual labor, the silence of the cell, or a walk in the desert. It is not so much a matter of multiplying words as it is of remaining in God’s presence, with the heart turned toward Him, in patient and loving fidelity. Prayer thus becomes a  state of being, an inner vigil, a discreet offering of every gesture. The constant bond, woven in secret, makes one’s entire life a sanctuary. “Prayer is the bond that unites creatures to their Creator,” says one father. Another confesses that “Prayer awakens, enlivens, revives, and brings us back to Life.”

How did the Desert Fathers pray?

On the Necessity of Prayer

For Symeon the New Theologian, it is necessary to pray with great simplicity, to adopt a resting posture, to be steady and still, and to remain in silence. One can begin by paying attention to the coming and going of one’s own breath. Prayer is an inward gaze turned toward the heart. One may offer a vocal and then a mental invocation, generally to find peace and focus one’s attention, such as “Lord, have mercy on me” or simply “Jesus.” However, the Fathers emphasized that even with all these guidelines, prayer is not a technique but a desire.

Let us remember that the Fathers lived in difficult conditions that frequently subjected them to temptation. It was therefore important for them to spend a great deal of time in prayer. Some even reached ecstasy. The goal of prayer is clearly union with God, which then manifests as love and inner peace. It is also about replacing a heart of stone with a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26) or making a human heart like the heart of God.

Metania

The fathers practice a form of prayer that involves the whole body: metania. The term “metania” comes from the ancient Greek “metanoia,” which means “transformation” or “conversion.” It involves either bowing down to the ground (a small metania, in which one bows while touching the ground with the right hand) or prostrating oneself (a great metania, in which the entire body lies flat and the forehead touches the ground). Both metania are followed by the sign of the cross and are still practiced today in the Orthodox tradition and among Byzantine Catholics.

These metania are gestures of penance in which one acknowledges one’s sin and asks for forgiveness. They are also gesturesof humility: by coming into contact with the earth, we are reminded of our fragile condition as creatures.

After the metania, the person praying rises and makes the sign of the cross. By tracing a broad sign of the cross over oneself, one signifies that we are raised up through the death and resurrection of Christ.

Engaging the body in prayer restores to it its rightful place, so long forgotten or disparaged by the Church. The body, let us not forget, is “a temple of the holy Spirit” (according to 1 Corinthians 6:19).

The Importance of Breathing

In metania or in prayer in general, the breath is of paramount importance. As you inhale, you can pray, “Lord Jesus, Son of God,” and then as you exhale, “Have mercy on me, a sinner.” Exhalation is like letting go of what is corrupt (sin, evil, death). Inhalation represents what is pure (love, life, the name of Jesus, peace, joy).

How can we imitate the Desert Fathers?

Be silent and adopt a relaxed posture. Begin by observing your breath. Then, call upon the Lord with short prayers: “Lord Jesus” or “Have mercy on me, a sinner,” or any other ejaculatory prayer.

You can also practice the prostrations described above.

But like the Desert Fathers, strive to pray as often as possible, if not constantly. Long, reflective prayer is not necessary. A simple phrase addressed to God is enough to turn toward Him, and that is enough to draw near to constant prayer.

Deepening Prayer and Meditation with the Desert Fathers

Discover the teachings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, particularly on asceticism, charity, and humility, and learn how to practice guarding the heart and discernment.