On Prayer:

'Pray without ceasing' (I Thess. 5:17). The Apostle divides prayer into a fourfold manner: 'I exhort therefore first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made' ( I Tim. 2:1). Supplications is an imploring or petition concerning sins, in which one who is sorry for his present or past deeds ask for pardon. Prayers are a vow to God...We pray when we renounce this world, we pray when we promise that, despising secular honors and scorning earthly riches, we willcleave to the Lord in all sorrow of heart and humility of spirit. We pray when we promise that we will ever maintain the most perfect purity of body and steadfast patience, root out of our hearts anger or sorrow that works death. Intercessions are prayers for others also, making request either for those dear to us or for peace. Thanksgiving is for past benefits, present ones or future, which God has prepared for those who love Him.


St. John Cassian, First Conference on Abbot Isaac