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Translated by W. Curtis.
Origen Resources OnLine & in Print
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104 Pages
Page 3
On the other hand what is the use of the right manner to us if we do not know to pray for what we ought? Of these two things the one, I mean the `what we ought' of prayer, is the language of the prayer, while the `as we ought' is the disposition of him who prays. Thus the former is illustrated by "Ask for the great things and the little shall be added unto you," and "Ask for the heavenly things and the earthly shall be added unto you," and "Pray for them that abuse you," and "Entreat therefore the Lord of the harvest that He send out workers unto his harvest," and "Pray that you enter not into temptation," and "Pray that your flight be not in winter or on a Sabbath," and "In praying babble not" and the like passages: the latter by "I desire therefore that men pray in every place lifting up holy hands without anger and questioning, and in like manner that women array themselves decently in simplicity, with modesty and discretion, not in or gold or pearls or costly raiments, but, as becomes women of pious profession, through good works. Instructive too, for prayer `as we ought' is the passage:
"If then you are offering your gift at the altar and there think you that your brother hath aught against you, leave there your gift before the altar, and go back--first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift;" for what greater gift can be sent up to God from a rational creature than fragrant words of prayer that is offered from a conscience devoid of taint from Sin? Similarly instructive is "Deprive not one another, save by agreement for a season that you may give yourselves to prayer and may be together at another time again, in order that Satan may not have occasion to exalt over you by reason of your incontinence.
Reference address : https://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/fathers/origen/prayer.asp?pg=3
