Prayer is the affection of a person who clings to God, a certain familiar and devout conversation, a state in which the enlightened mind enjoys God as long as it is permitted. ‘Pray without interruption and give thanks at all times’. This prayer is a certain unchanging goodness of the mind and of the well-ordered spirit and a certain resemblance to the goodness of their Father, God, on the part of God’s sons. It prays for everyone always and gives thanks for everything. It continually pours itself out before God in as many kinds of prayer or thanksgiving as its devout affection finds occasion in its needs or consolations, and also in sharing its neighbor’s pains or joys. It is constantly absorbed in thanksgiving because to be in such a state is to be always in the joy of the Holy Spirit.William of Saint Thierry
