Inner Stillness and the Gift of Unceasing Prayer

3.3: Inner Stillness and the Gift of Unceasing Prayer

 Opening Reflection:

At the heart of Orthodox spirituality lies the search of inner stillness (Greek: hesychia) (ውስጣዊ ሰላም ወይም ዕረፍት) and the gift of unceasing prayer. These are not optional practices for the saints alone but form the core of the ascetical path for every Christian seeking union with God (theosis). The Orthodox Fathers understood that it is in stillness that the soul hears God most clearly and that unceasing prayer is the soul’s continual movement toward Him.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” “ዕረፉ፥ እኔም አምላክ እንደ ሆንሁ እወቁ::” (Psalm 46:10)

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1. What Is Inner Stillness (Hesychia) (ውስጣዊ ሰላም ወይም ዕረፍት)?

Hesychia refers to a state of deep inner peace and silence—not merely the absence of noise, but the quieting of the mind and heart so that the grace of God may dwell within.

For the Orthodox Fathers, hesychia was both a spiritual condition and an external discipline:

• Externally, it meant withdrawing from distractions.
• Internally, it meant guarding the heart and keeping the mind in God.

“Silence is the mystery of the world to come. Words are the instruments of this world.”— St. Isaac the Syrian

Hesychia is the womb in which prayer grows.

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2. The Biblical Call to Stillness and Constant Prayer

Scripture commands us to:

• Be still: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” “በመመለስና በማረፍ ትድናላችሁ፤ በጸጥታና በመታመን ኃይል ይሆንላችኋል::” ( Isaiah 30:15)
• Pray without ceasing: “Pray without ceasing.” “ሳታቋርጡ ጸልዩ፤ በሁሉ አመስግኑ”— 1 Thessalonians 5:17

The Fathers did not see this as a poetic metaphor (ዘይቤ) but as an actual goal of the Christian life—to pray continually in the heart, even while doing ordinary tasks. It means just allowing God to be present in every part of our lives.

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3. Unceasing Prayer: What It Is and What It Isn’t

Unceasing prayer is not the endless repetition of words, nor a mechanical formula. It is the constant turning of the heart toward God, a spiritual awareness of His presence in all things.

The Jesus Prayer—

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” “ጌታ ኢየሱስ ክርስቶስ ፣ የእግዚአብሔር ልጅ ፣ አኔን ኃጢአተኛውን ማረኝ— became the chief means for attaining this.

According to St. Gregory Palamas, unceasing prayer is: “The mind focused in the heart, always standing before God, and crying out to Him.”

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4. How the Fathers Practiced and Taught Unceasing Prayer

• St. Anthony the Great lived in the desert, away from worldly distraction, not to escape responsibility, but to be present fully to God.
• St. Macarius of Egypt said: “A monk should be all eye, like the Cherubim.”
• St. Isaac the Syrian described unceasing prayer as the soul becoming “like a fountain flowing with tears and love for God.”
• The Philokalia, a collection of spiritual writings, teaches that when the heart is cleansed, prayer will begin to “pray itself” within us.

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5. The Relationship Between Stillness and Prayer

Stillness (ርጋታ፣ ሰላም ፣ ጸጥታ -- የውስጥ) is not merely preparation for prayer—it is prayer. Without stillness:

• The mind is scattered.
• The heart is filled with noise.
• The soul becomes blind to God's presence.

But in stillness:

• The Jesus Prayer descends from the lips to the heart.
• The grace of the Holy Spirit can act.
• The nous (spiritual intellect - መንፈሳዊ አእምሮ) returns to its rightful place—within the heart, united with God.

“Withdraw into yourself, and there you will find the stairway (መወጣጫ) by which to ascend (ወደ ላይኛው).”—St. Isaac the Syrian

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6. Obstacles to Inner Stillness and Prayer

A. Distraction and Busyness

The world promotes constant activity. But the soul needs quiet.

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary.” “ኢየሱስም መልሶ፦ ማርታ፥ ማርታ፥ በብዙ ነገር ትጨነቂአለሽ ትታወኪማለሽ፥ የሚያስፈልገው ግን ጥቂት ወይም አንድ ነገር ነው፤ ማርያምም መልካም ዕድልን መርጣለች ከእርስዋም አይወሰድባትም አላት።” (Luke 10:41-42). Mary, the sister of Martha, was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening his life- giving words.

B. Passions and Attachments

The Fathers teach that inner stillness cannot coexist with anger, lust (ዝሙት ፣ ክፉ ምኞት), or pride  (ኩራት፣ ትሑት አለመሆን). These must be purified.

C. Impatience

Unceasing prayer is not attained overnight. It is the fruit of daily struggle and God’s grace.

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7. The Fruits of Stillness and Prayer

• Deep peace and joy
• Spiritual discernment (ማስተዋል፣ ትክክለኛውን ትክክል ካልሆነው መለየት)
• Love for God and others
• Humility and freedom from the passions (ጤነኛ ካልሆኑ ምኞቶች)
• Constant awareness of God’s presence

“Acquire inner peace, and thousands around you will be saved.”— St. Seraphim of Sarov

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8. Guidance for Beginners

• Set a prayer rule: Morning and evening prayer, and repetition of the Jesus Prayer for few minuites .
• Create small islands of silence in your day.
• Practice breathing gently with the prayer, without forcing it.
• Seek spiritual guidance, especially if you begin to experience unusual emotions or mental distractions.
• Be patient—progress comes slowly but surely.

“Prayer is the seed, and stillness is the water that helps it grow.”

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Conclusion:

Inner stillness (የውስጥ ሰላም ፣ እርጋታ) and unceasing prayer are not mystical ideas for monks alone. They are at the heart of Orthodox life and attainable by every Christian through grace, repentance, and perseverance. Stillness prepares the heart, and prayer unites the soul to God.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You.”  “ …በአንተ ለምትደገፍ ነፍስ ፈጽመህ በሰላም ትጠብቃታለህ” (Isaiah 26:3)

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Reflection Questions:

• How much stillness is there in my daily life?
• Do I prioritize moments of quiet to reconnect with God?
• Can I begin practicing the Jesus Prayer for a few minutes each day with attention and humility?