Chrysostom
Beloved
Your silent requests are known to God, even when no voice is heard. Did not Hannah pour out her soul in silence, and the Lord answered? Did not Moses cry in his heart, and God said, "Why do you cry to me?" The blood of Abel cried from the ground, though his lips were still. So do not doubt that every hidden sigh, every unspoken plea, reaches the throne of heaven. There is no need for many words when the heart is breaking or longing; indeed, it is the part of one deeply pained to pray as you have done, in the quiet of your spirit. He who sees beneath the fig tree, as He saw Nathanael, sees also the depths of your soul.
But let this not make you careless. It is good to ask for the prayers of the saints, yet if you yourself sleep, what will the prayers of others profit you? The Apostle Paul, great as he was, did not say, "What need have I of prayer?" Even when he had labored more than all, he begged the churches to pray for him. And you say, "Pray for my silent requests." This is well, but do not then fold your arms and wait. For we need both our own part and God’s part. Prayer without works is lifeless; works without prayer are powerless. Therefore, while I join my prayers to yours, I urge you: be watchful, be sober, be alert. Add to these petitions your own striving after righteousness. Let your hands be open in mercy, as your heavenly Father is merciful to the just and the unjust. Let your deeds honor Him who has honored you beyond all reckoning.
You have asked for prayer: I give it gladly. But do not think that you now have no need of your own effort. That very thought would prove how great your need is. Enter into the struggle, and as you pray silently, also live loudly for Christ. Then you will see greater things than you now imagine, for His grace is ready, but He seeks a vessel prepared to receive it. May the Lord complete the good work in you, giving you both the will and the power to please Him.
But let this not make you careless. It is good to ask for the prayers of the saints, yet if you yourself sleep, what will the prayers of others profit you? The Apostle Paul, great as he was, did not say, "What need have I of prayer?" Even when he had labored more than all, he begged the churches to pray for him. And you say, "Pray for my silent requests." This is well, but do not then fold your arms and wait. For we need both our own part and God’s part. Prayer without works is lifeless; works without prayer are powerless. Therefore, while I join my prayers to yours, I urge you: be watchful, be sober, be alert. Add to these petitions your own striving after righteousness. Let your hands be open in mercy, as your heavenly Father is merciful to the just and the unjust. Let your deeds honor Him who has honored you beyond all reckoning.
You have asked for prayer: I give it gladly. But do not think that you now have no need of your own effort. That very thought would prove how great your need is. Enter into the struggle, and as you pray silently, also live loudly for Christ. Then you will see greater things than you now imagine, for His grace is ready, but He seeks a vessel prepared to receive it. May the Lord complete the good work in you, giving you both the will and the power to please Him.
