Mother Natalia

He is love.

And so I really like that because I might ask for a particular thing that I want in life, but that might not be the thing that I need for union with Him.

And so He might not grant it for that reason.

Whereas I know He wants to give me His mercy.

I know His mercy is how I will achieve union with Him.

So that's just like a safe thing to just ask for.

And

And His mercy comes in all sorts of ways that don't necessarily look like mercy to us because we forget what mercy actually looks like because sometimes mercy looks like not getting the job that we want.

But yeah.

Oh, absolutely.

Yeah, absolutely.

I love Theophane the Recluse.

I've read The Art of Prayer, which is a collection mostly of his sayings.

I like him a lot, but I think I would caution listeners because in our current society, in our day and age, I think there could be a temptation to hear that and say, well, if it's not sincere and it's not from the heart, then it's no prayer at all.

Then why even try?

Because I can't pray sincerely.

I can't pray from the heart.

And so this is just a waste of time.

Like that's how I would hear that, you know, but I think

I think it's important to remember that these quotes are always said in context.