Some of St. Augustine’s thoughts on prayer from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Cliff Ermatinger.

“Prayer is the preparation for communion with God in eternal life.” [p.8]

“God does not hear as men hear.  Unless you cry out with a loud voice from the depths of your lungs and with your tongue, men will not hear you.  Unless you cry out to the Lord with your thought, the Lord does not hear you.  Your thought is your cry.” [p.9-10]

“Too late have I loved you, O Beauty of ancient days yet ever new.  Too late have I loved you.”  [p.14]

“Where should I look for God?”

“Augustine points us to our interior, to our ‘hermitage within where no man can see,’ where we are alone with God.”  [p.19]

“Prayer produces a certain conversion of heart toward him who is always ready to give inasmuch as we are in condition to receive.” [p.45]

Two additional insights from St. Augustine, "There are two loves, the love of God and the love of the world. If the love of the world takes possession of you, there is no way for the love of God to enter into you. Let the love of the world take the second place, and let the love of God dwell in you. Let the better love take over."

“If we receive [the Eucharist] worthily we are what we receive.” 

  

May your Advent bring you closer to the Lord who seeks you day and night.

May God Be Praised!