Saint Theophan the Recluse on Prayer

Saint Theophan The Recluse
St. Theophan the Recluse, also known as "Theophan Zatvornik" (Russian: Феофан Затворник), (1815–1894) is a well-known saint in the Russian Orthodox Church. He is well-known today through the many books he wrote concerning the spiritual life.

Homilies On Prayer - His homilies offer very clear and practical advice for developing a relationship with God through prayer.
•   Homily 1 Beginning to Pray
In the first homily he provides guidance for the way to begin a regular prayer life. He suggests reading prayers in the beginning based on a specific prayer rule. He advises on how to properly prepare for prayer. He points out the need to say prayers with attention and with understanding nd feeling. And then once prayer is finished to not go immediately into a work like activity... read about it
•  Homily 2 Mental Prayer
In the second homily he advises, with a foundation of reading prayers with attention and feeling, to now teach the soul to ascend to God and open itself to Him. To do this he says we should call on God throughout the day for help, to ascribe everything to God, and to include time in our morning prayer to contemplate the attributes of God... read about it
•   Homily 3 Unceasing Prayer
In the third homily he guides us to make our prayer continuous. He shows how Scripture calls us to this level of prayer and gives advice on how we can all achieve this. He emphasizes that this requires diligent work and zeal as the Apostles have taught us...read about it
•   Homily 4 Life of Prayer
In the forth and final Homily he gives a warning that we will not succeed in prayer if we do not practice the virtues at the same time. He points out that our labor in prayer will help us in doing this...read about it

Additional articles from his letters and other works on prayer

Books by Saint Theophan the Recluse available in English

Path to Salvation
This classic textbook of spiritual life is now offered for the first time in English in its entirety. St. Theophan's psychological understanding, his intricate experience in spiritual struggle, and above all his love, compassion and all-consuming desire that everyone might be saved breathes in every line, inspiring the reader with a sober longing and rational hope for acquiring the Kingdom of Heaven. He provides an infallible system for taking the Kingdom of Heaven by force, in a Christian life of grace and repentance.

The Spiritual Life and How to be Attuned to It
A famed classic of Russian spirituality. A study in the science of the soul. The tuning of the soul is necessary for the soul to be in harmony with the voice of God's providence as it echoes in the heart.

Raising Them Right: A Saint's Advice on Raising Children
Wise advice on raising children from a newly canonized saint.

Path of Prayer
Consists of two parts. Part One contains four sermons on prayer by St. Theophan. Part Two is a selection of prayers