True petition does not reside in words spoken by the mouth but rather in thoughts of the heart. It is not our words, you see, that constitute the strongest voices in the presence of the most hidden ears of God, but our desires. If we ask with our mouths for eternal life but do not desire it in our hearts, our cries are silent. If, however, we desire it in our hearts, even if our mouths fall silent, we cry out in our silence. Saint Gregory the Great: Moralia on Job: Book 22:43
George Paul Alexa says
May 24, 2019 at 5:26 pmI do cry out for eternal life, but how do I know that I desire it with my heart? I think I desire eternal life with my heart. But how do I know for sure if I do?