St. Augustine, How Should the Converted Live Their Lives?
Question 022.
What is the relationship between prayer and conversion?
Part V: Counsels for the Converted
For living among things human, we cannot withdraw from things human. We must live among evil men with forbearance, because when we used to be evil men, the good men lived with forbearance among us. If we do not forget what we have been, we will not despair of those […]
St. Augustine, What Awaits Those Who are No Longer Attracted to Sin?
Question 022.
What is the relationship between prayer and conversion?
Part IV: Three Conversions Through Trial: Trial III
This trial is a sort of lethargy one feels at the length of his life, finding no enjoyment in prayer or reading. Contrary to the first trial, which was a hungering, this trial is distaste for food. Adultery no longer attracts you, but neither does the word of […]
St. Augustine, Is it Easy After Man Has Found the Path to God?
Question 022.
What is the relationship between prayer and conversion?
Part III: Three Conversions Through Trial: Trial II
The second trial is that of how to do good… In his crying out to the Lord, he is heard and the Lord breaks his chains of difficulty…To abstain from every sort of sin has not become easy. God could have granted this without difficulties, but if there […]
Remote Preparation for Mental Prayer: Forgiveness Received and Extended
Cain Slaying Abel, Maxim Sheshukov, Unknown
Originally Published at TAN Direction
A young associate pastor once told me that when he would go to adoration or attempt mental prayer he would often see the angry face of his pastor in his mind. I suggested he forgive his pastor for whatever offenses he had committed and, obstacle removed, his prayer would be freed up to make progress.
Why […]
St. Augustine, How Is It At the Very Beginning of the Search for God?
Question 022.
What is the relationship between prayer and conversion?
Part II: Three Conversions Through Trial: Trial I
The first trial is one of wandering and hunger. Once [man] has had enough of this trial and is brought to call out to God, he takes to the way of faith, that path whose journey will bring him to the city of Peace. […]
St. Augustine, What is It Like For Man Before He Seeks God?
Question 022.
What is the relationship between prayer and conversion?
Part I: Before Conversion
Whoever knows himself to be in the depths [that is lost in sin] cries out with groans and sighs until he is delivered from the depths..until [God’s] own image, that image which is man, is freed by God. Unless he is made anew and […]