IX. THE FIRST CONFERENCE OF ABBOT ISAAC ON PRAYER



Index

CHAPTER I: Introduction to the Conference.

CHAPTER II: The words of Abbot Isaac on the nature of prayer.

CHAPTER III: How pure and sincere prayer can be gained.

CHAPTER IV: Of the lightness of the soul which may be compared to a wing or feather.

CHAPTER V: Of the ways in which our soul is weighed down.

CHAPTER VI: Of the vision which a certain Elder saw concerning the restless work of a brother.

CHAPTER VII: A question how it is that it is harder work to preserve than to originate good thoughts.

CHAPTER VIII: Of the different characters of prayer.

CHAPTER IX: Of the fourfold nature of prayer.

CHAPTER X: Of the order of the different kinds laid down with regard to the character of prayer.

CHAPTER XI: Of Supplications.

CHAPTER XII: Of Prayer.

CHAPTER XIII: Of Intercession.

CHAPTER XIV: Of Thanksgiving.

CHAPTER XV: Whether these four kinds of prayers are necessary for everyone to offer all at once or separately and in turns.

CHAPTER XVI: Of the kinds of prayer to which we ought to direct ourselves.

CHAPTER XVII: How the four kinds of supplication were originated by the Lord.

CHAPTER XVIII: Of the Lord's Prayer.

CHAPTER XIX: Of the clause "Thy kingdom come."

CHAPTER XX: Of the clause "Thy will be done."

CHAPTER XXI: Of our supersubstantial or daily bread.

CHAPTER XXII: Of the clause: "Forgive us our debts, etc."

CHAPTER XXIII: Of the clause: "Lead us not into temptation."

CHAPTER XXIV: How we ought not to ask for other things, except only those which are contained in the limits of the Lord's Prayer.

CHAPTER XXV: Of the character of the sublimer prayer.

CHAPTER XXVI: Of the different causes of conviction.

CHAPTER XXVII: Of the different sorts of conviction.

CHAPTER XXVIII: A question about the fact that a plentiful supply of tears is not in our own power.

CHAPTER XXIX: The answer on the varieties of conviction which spring from tears.

CHAPTER XXX: How tears ought not to be squeezed out, when they do not flow spontaneously.

CHAPTER XXXI: The opinion of Abbot Antony on the condition of prayer.

CHAPTER XXXII: Of the proof of prayer being heard.

CHAPTER XXXIII: An objection that the confidence of being thus heard as described belongs only to saints.

CHAPTER XXXIV: Answer on the different reasons for prayer being heard.

CHAPTER XXXV: Of prayer to be offered within the chamber and with the door shut.

CHAPTER XXXVI: Of the value of short and silent prayer.