The Beginnings of a Life of Prayer

by Matthew C. Steenberg, Archimandrite Irenei

The beginnings of prayer arise from the longing of the heart to know God, to rest in Him Who showed His love upon the precious Cross, to abide in the fullness of communion with Him. In the present book a primer on prayer Archimandrite Irenei first prepares the ground by helping us to count the cost (Luke 14:28) of our lives as Christians, to take stock of the spiritual struggle we must undertake if we are to ascend toward God in prayer. Then, based on a sober appraisal of our lowly condition and of the worldly and demonic influences that assail us, he helps us to adorn our inward beings as temples of prayer.

With an eye ever on the practical application of Orthodox Christian teaching to the spiritual life, the author raises our minds and hearts to a greater awareness of the holiness and majesty of God, and at the same time of the potential for us unworthy though we be to enter into intimate communion with Him. This awareness inspires us to explore with the author the depths of prayer, and to strive more fervently toward eternal life in Christ the end for which we have been created.

Genres: Christianity, Religion, Theology, Christian

128 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2012

About the author

Archimandrite Irenei (née Matthew Steenberg) is an established scholar of patristics and the early Church, and an Archimandrite of the Russian Orthodox Church. Formerly a don in patristics and early Church history at the University of Oxford and sometime Chair of Theology at Leeds Trinity University College in the United Kingdom, he is an active speaker and lecturer around the world on Orthodox theology and practice, and has also been heavily involved in bringing patristic study into wider access through the internet. He is currently visiting professor in Orthodox theology at Santa Clara University, Professorial Research Fellow of Leeds Trinity (UK), and the Superintendent of the St John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy - North America's only fully-accredited Orthodox K-12 college preparatory school.

Professor Fr Irenei’s scholarly work centres on patristic theology, especially anthropology (doctrines of the human person) in the Orthodox patristic tradition—specifically of the early period (ad 33-451)—and its relationship to soteriology in a Christological and Trinitarian context. His work is marked out by a strong emphasis on historical development (especially Eastern) and its relationship to modern theological discussions. He has authored numerous books and published extensively on patristic and Orthodox topics (many of his works were published before his monastic tonsure and are found under his old name: Revd Prof. M.C. Steenberg).

He is widely known beyond academic circles through his work to bring Orthodox patristic and monastic study to a wider audience. He founded the Monachos.net web site on Orthodoxy through patristic and monastic study in 1999, which is today the largest resource for such materials on the internet. The website’s message forum, known as the Discussion Community, is one of the only forums on the internet dedicated to patristic and monastic discussions. In 2008 he began weekly internet radio broadcasts for Ancient Faith Radio, in a series called A Word From the Holy Fathers. These broadcasts, which focus each week on a patristic writing and its pastoral impact, are among the most listened-to podcasts on the station. Fr Irenei served as deacon of the Russian Orthodox Parish of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Oxford from 2007-2010, and in January 2010 moved to San Francisco. He was ordained hieromonk in March 2010 and elevated to the rank of Archimandrite in 2011.

Reviews

[Nathan Duffy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I'm smart, and if I ever need a help along the path of the life of prayer (which I obviously will, constantly), then I should return to this text numerous times throughout my life. The title is a bit misleading; it is about the beginnings of a life of prayer, but it's also about the entirety of a life of prayer -- at least for we non-monastics -- as I can't imagine the advice contained in the book ever becoming irrelevant in my prayer life. Indeed, on some level I suspect we all are perpetual beginners in prayer, and Fr. Irenei has words that suggest something similar.

Drawing on Scripture and the Fathers, Fr. Irenei sketches the character of a truly Christian life of prayer, which is so much more than "words with God", but is in fact our very life in Christ. An indispensable text.

[FrDrStel Muksuris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archimandrite Irenei offers one of the most helpful and accurate introductions to prayer and spirituality in the Orthodox Church. Seeped in sound Biblical and Patristic Tradition, the book exposes the folly of the secular mindset and advocates a Christian phronema that seeks daily assessment of one's spiritual life by understanding, most importantly, the "contours" of the spiritual contest. I highly recommend this book to Orthodox and non-Orthodox Christians alike.

[Macaria Corbett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book is probably one of the best books writtern on prayer in at least a decade.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful quick read on prayer from Bishop Irenei. He sets the stage for the proper prayer life by first "taking stock of our struggle" which yields five imperatives for a true foundation for prayer. 1) Re-focus on the Kingdom of God always + 2) Re-develop an awareness of our enemies (Satan & demons) + 3) Understand the nature of the passions + 4) Re-learn the practice of obedience, which all lead to +5) Bear a better, stronger witness to the world. Then he moves to prayer itself, stating that "the beginnings of prayer reside in the desire of the heart to know God." The second half of the book is filled with wisdom on a life of prayer, where the Bishop exhorts us to always consider ourselves beginners and gives practical advice for focusing the attentive mind in prayer and dealing with various thoughts. Quote-worthy, with lots of good pointers to go back to time and again.

[Readius Maximus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many books but I understand very little about the spiritual life as one can imagine living in this age. But I can understand enough that this book is a tremendous guide for those who can understand it more fully. This whole book is discussing prayer and it's relation to Theosis so that one understands what prayer means.

Truly a transformational book I just home I can understand it one day.

There is a lot on guarding one's thoughts.

[Br. Thanasi (Thomas) Stama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book has good discussions on angels (not the pie in the sky belief found in the Western Culture), evil and the actual practices needed for a better prayer life. I am so glad friends gave me this book to read. It could verbalize what I cannot in my own prayer life.

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've listened and/or watched a couple of lectures by Bishop Irenei (Steenberg) and I found this book to be just as engaging. I will be coming back to this little book in years to come.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing book. I’ve never read a book like this before, one that had such a depth to it and could describe the depths of the inner spiritual life. I had a lot of thoughts while reading this book, particularly concerning my own inner spiritual life and areas where I fall short. The author describes prayer as communion with God in the heart, and I realized there is so much more to prayer than praying, saying words and sending requests to God. This book helped me to understand the Orthodox Christian understanding of prayer, which is a way of life, as St. Paul says, “pray constantly” (1 Thess. 5:17). Wonderful book—highly recommend to all Orthodox Christians.

[Gregory Korbut · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. I am starting to go back to basics after reading St. Theophan Unseen Warfare - which knocked me for a loop. This is a nice introduction, still plenty deep, but more easily consumed.

[Ryan Laferney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drawing on Scripture and the Fathers, Archimandrite Irenei sketches the character of a truly Christian life of prayer. This is a fundamental work of the nature of prayer in regards to the fact that prayer (for the christian) is our very life in Christ. Here is just a glimpse of the wisdom contained in this book: " The empty tomb transformed the cosmos. So will the prayer of the heart transform the person, the cosmos, even all creation" (p.116).

This book contains a sober appraisal of our fallen nature and just how difficult the path to communion can be, but it is also an inspiring and hopeful book because Archimandrite Irenei is able to remind us that all things are possible with God, and yes, with patience, we too, can gain a greater awareness of the holiness and majesty of God through personal prayer and The Divine Liturgy.

Highly recommended.

[Tori Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart swelled with a profound desire to deepens my prayer while reading this wonderful publication. Bishop Irenei clearly, eloquently, and humbly communicates the mystery of prayer in both a spiritual and pragmatic way. I truly felt as if I was sitting at the feet a wise, warm spiritual father. What a gift! This will be another book I will return to for guidance on matters of prayer.

[Andrew Ketel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this read, Bishop Irenei used the Scriptures through out and approached the subject matter in a manner that really spoke to me personally. I would have liked to have given the book seven stars instead of five. A recommended read for those who desire to establish a disciplined prayer life.

[Dpeterson77 · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful, deep and inspiring call to true prayer!

This is well worth the time and energy of anyone who’s longing to prayer more truly and deeply. Founded on the wisdom of millennia preserved in the richness of the Orthodox Church. Can’t recommend it highly enough.

[Evan Slops]

Really great book with lots of wisdom and insights involving the Christian life and Orthodoxy.

[Nicholas Hensley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to the Orthodox perspective of prayer.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on prayer.

[Vijay Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good spiritual guide for those interested in deepening their prayer life.

[Heather Hawkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my top 5 religious books. Encouraging, practical, and inspiring, this will be one I turn to again and again.

[Jack Mort · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. You will find something worthwhile on almost every page.

[Leo and Suz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly amazing book, and an absolute must for Christians. Let not the title fool you into thinking this is some condescending or pusillanimous treatment of prayer. This book contains a concise depth and richness, and ought to be treasured, re-read, and recommended to peers, even those outside of Orthodoxy.

[Dcn Peter Markevich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully concise yet theologically packed.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will prove to be an excellent tool.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good, clear, concise treatise on developing a life of prayer in the Orthodox tradition.