Prayer is opening the heart to God, so He would enter and purify it

[Mary Naeem]

Pope Shenouda III







Prayer is opening the heart to God, so He would enter and purify it.
It reminds us of the prayer of the tax collector who lifted up a contrite heart before God, asking for His mercy (Lk 18:13). And so he went back to his house justified. Therefore, you should pray to acquire purity of the heart, while you say to God in your prayer: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (Ps 50)... Is not He the one who said, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you... I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes” (Ezek 36:26-27).. Ask Him in your prayers to fulfil this promise.