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An Inner Step Toward God: Writings and Teachings on Prayer by Father Alexander Men
According to Fr. Alexander Men (1935-1990), the Russian Orthodox priest and popular spiritual teacher who was publicly martyred in 1990 in the former USSR, prayer is “the flight of the heart toward God.” This work, available for the first time in English, is a collection of his writings, lectures, and sermons on prayer. You will discover both ancient and modern wisdom, and you will see how one Eastern Orthodox priest taught his parishioners to pray.
“His simple but profound teaching on the absolute necessity of a prayer life could change the world.” –Scott Cairns, Poet
“His simple but profound teaching on the absolute necessity of a prayer life could change the world.” –Scott Cairns, Poet
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 2014
12 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Alexander Men
30 books15 followersAlexander Vladimirovich Men (Russian: Александр Владимирович Мень) was a Russian Orthodox priest, theologian, Biblical scholar and writer.
Men wrote dozens of books (including his magnum opus, History of Religion: In Search of the Way, the Truth and the Life, the seventh volume of which, Son of Man, served as the introduction to Christianity for thousands of citizens in the Soviet Union); baptized hundreds if not thousands; founded an Orthodox Open University; opened one of the first Sunday Schools in Russia as well as a charity group at the Russian Children's Hospital. His influence is still widely felt and his legacy continues to grow among Christians both in Russia and abroad. He was murdered early on Sunday morning, 9 September 1990, by an ax-wielding assailant just outside his home of Semkhoz, Russia.
Men wrote dozens of books (including his magnum opus, History of Religion: In Search of the Way, the Truth and the Life, the seventh volume of which, Son of Man, served as the introduction to Christianity for thousands of citizens in the Soviet Union); baptized hundreds if not thousands; founded an Orthodox Open University; opened one of the first Sunday Schools in Russia as well as a charity group at the Russian Children's Hospital. His influence is still widely felt and his legacy continues to grow among Christians both in Russia and abroad. He was murdered early on Sunday morning, 9 September 1990, by an ax-wielding assailant just outside his home of Semkhoz, Russia.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 9, 2014
This is a book I would recommend for anyone seeking a deeper more connected prayer life (to take an inner step toward God), or for those who guide others into prayer. Practical, clear, and sensitive - this book gives a glimpse into the ways Father Alexander Men guided his parishioners into deeper prayer. You can perceive his patient concern for their growth and sense his own lived life of prayer. There is much wisdom in how to involve the body in prayer "The position of the body influences the state of the soul" but his teaching extends to meditation on the Holy Scriptures, use of icons, stillness, The Jesus Prayer, prayer for others, fasting, instruction in higher stages of prayer etc... Such a book is so practical that it begs the reader to not just speed through what is being presented but rather to attempt to incorporate its offerings for their own enrichment.
Beyond practical prayer guidance, this book offers a look into the Eastern practices of prayer and worship that may be more unfamiliar to us in the West. In this way it is also a gift, and a learning experience that will show spaces in our lives where new areas of spiritual growth can grow up. The book is written with this ecumenical concept in mind and is generously sensitive to the western reader unfamiliar with the traditions of the Orthodox prayer (including a glossary of terms in the back). An excellent resource that combines a invitingly simple and practical approach to prayer, while still teaching and growing a vision for what prayer can be.
"Prayer without ceasing is compatible with human nature, for everything within us - everything that makes us human - comes from God and draws us to Him."
Beyond practical prayer guidance, this book offers a look into the Eastern practices of prayer and worship that may be more unfamiliar to us in the West. In this way it is also a gift, and a learning experience that will show spaces in our lives where new areas of spiritual growth can grow up. The book is written with this ecumenical concept in mind and is generously sensitive to the western reader unfamiliar with the traditions of the Orthodox prayer (including a glossary of terms in the back). An excellent resource that combines a invitingly simple and practical approach to prayer, while still teaching and growing a vision for what prayer can be.
"Prayer without ceasing is compatible with human nature, for everything within us - everything that makes us human - comes from God and draws us to Him."
March 30, 2014
Paraclete Press has just released a wonderful book of 'Writings and Teachings on Prayer by Father Alexander Men'. This collection of talks, writings and prayers, translated from Russian by Christa Belyaeva, and edited by April French, who also wrote the book's worthwhile introduction, presents clear and simple advice for practitioners of prayer, which Christians of all levels and numerous creeds will find helpful and inspiring.
Men's words, while simple, are peppered with profound insights, biblical exegesis, and quotes from Church Fathers and other theologians and authors. His writings are imbued with a sense of inner peace, love and sincerity. At times, his practical advice on prayer, aimed at the average layman and beginner, is reminiscent of another great Russian teacher of prayer, St Theophan the Recluse.
My only quibble is that at times Men's thoughts can seem disjointed, and he goes off on tangents now and again, but I cannot deny that there are some great insights even in those tangents. But this small imperfection does not take away from the beauty, simplicity and profundity of the book, which is a highly approachable introduction to prayer for all Christians, with plenty of practical tips for those who wish to deepen their private devotions.
Men's words, while simple, are peppered with profound insights, biblical exegesis, and quotes from Church Fathers and other theologians and authors. His writings are imbued with a sense of inner peace, love and sincerity. At times, his practical advice on prayer, aimed at the average layman and beginner, is reminiscent of another great Russian teacher of prayer, St Theophan the Recluse.
My only quibble is that at times Men's thoughts can seem disjointed, and he goes off on tangents now and again, but I cannot deny that there are some great insights even in those tangents. But this small imperfection does not take away from the beauty, simplicity and profundity of the book, which is a highly approachable introduction to prayer for all Christians, with plenty of practical tips for those who wish to deepen their private devotions.
April 12, 2014
I have a full review of this book on my blog and a chance to win a copy by April 18
Here is the link: http://thoughtsprayersandsongs.com/20...
Here is the link: http://thoughtsprayersandsongs.com/20...
October 6, 2014
I have thoroughly enjoyed being discipled by Alexander Men through this book lovingly edited and translated by April French and Christa Belyaeva.
The book displays in a brief space the expansiveness of Father Men's mind--reaching East and West for spiritual insight, up to the heavenlies for inspiration and down to the most basic elements of day-to-day life for application. Indeed, I have never encountered someone who combines practicality with erudition, spirituality with common sense, and "book learning" with attention to bodily care and discipline as does Alexander Men.
I even found some of it disorienting at times: "Really? You want to take time to talk about such basic and generic items as relaxation exercises that contain no Christian content at all?" But this attention to the care of his flock amid the stresses of modern Russian life reminded me of John Wesley's concern for folk medicine applied to his impoverished rural audiences as part of his recognition that "we have this treasure in earthen vessels." A proper theological anthropology, giving onto a holistic pastoral concern, takes into account our nervous systems as much as it does our spirits.
Indeed, Men's lofty spirituality coupled with a reassuringly earthy realism reminded me somewhat of Richard Foster's "coachly" tension as he, too, calls dull Christians such as I upward...not too quickly, not stressfully, but kindly, patiently, wisely.
I recommend this to any reader of serious spiritual literature.
The book displays in a brief space the expansiveness of Father Men's mind--reaching East and West for spiritual insight, up to the heavenlies for inspiration and down to the most basic elements of day-to-day life for application. Indeed, I have never encountered someone who combines practicality with erudition, spirituality with common sense, and "book learning" with attention to bodily care and discipline as does Alexander Men.
I even found some of it disorienting at times: "Really? You want to take time to talk about such basic and generic items as relaxation exercises that contain no Christian content at all?" But this attention to the care of his flock amid the stresses of modern Russian life reminded me of John Wesley's concern for folk medicine applied to his impoverished rural audiences as part of his recognition that "we have this treasure in earthen vessels." A proper theological anthropology, giving onto a holistic pastoral concern, takes into account our nervous systems as much as it does our spirits.
Indeed, Men's lofty spirituality coupled with a reassuringly earthy realism reminded me somewhat of Richard Foster's "coachly" tension as he, too, calls dull Christians such as I upward...not too quickly, not stressfully, but kindly, patiently, wisely.
I recommend this to any reader of serious spiritual literature.
September 8, 2025
Simple, earnest, and practical, this was just what I needed.
May 4, 2023
There are few books on prayer or spiritually I would unequivocally recommend to (nearly) any Orthodox Christian, regardless of their trauma history - this is one.
_An Inner Step Toward God_ was one of my Lent 2023 devotional reads and I LOVED IT. A poignant and profound - yet blessedly simple - handbook on praying from the heart, one's inner prayer chamber. What I most appreciated, aside from the many practical insights, was how naturally trauma-informed the book was (without trying to be). This is a reminder of the confluence between Eastern Christian approaches to prayer, which are generally less dissociative and body-negative than typical "Western" approaches (please excuse the generalities), and a trauma-centered understanding of human beings.
Fr. Men presents prayer as an absolutely embodied practice, one that we can (and must) invite our body into, as the vessel of our souls. He acknowledges at various points the difficulties deep suffering, inner woundedness, and the harmful thought patterns that result can present for mind, body, and soul of those seeking to journey deeper into the pilgrimmage of prayer. The practical suggestions and exercises he includes take into account the ways anxiety, tension, and emotional distress can sabotage spiritual focus if we are not careful, discerning, and moderate in our approach.
Memorable quotes:
"We must keep in mind all spheres of our being when discussing the act of prayer. A correct understanding of one's design is necessary. ... Emotions are tightly woven together with the life of the body. It could be said that in mankind ... the whole of nature enters into a deep unity with the kingdom of the spirit. This location on the boundary between the natural and spiritual worlds makes mankind the embodiment of the universe, the entity through which natural existence ascends to God. Therefore, when we build a spiritual life within ourselves, we must consider our hierarchical structure and strive to include our _entire_ being in our walk with God. Metropolitan Anthony writes, "The body participates (noticeably or not) in every movement of the soul, be it a feeling, an abstract thought, a desire, or a supersensory experience." Consequently the body plays a critical role in prayer..." (Scribd e-book p. 35)
"Something is always gnawing at us, gnawing continually. And this turns into an obsession: "I need to do this. I need to do that. Everything must be done." It becomes a hindrance rather than a benefit, because it turns into an obsessive idea against a difficult backdrop of anxiety. Remember that we are mortal, that life is short, and that the Lord said. "Do not worry about your life, waht you will eat or what you will drink" (Matt. 6:25...). By this He meant that, even though the circumstances seem overwhelming, we must simply put one foot in front of the other and press on. If we do make plans for the future, they must be nothing more than sketches, nothing that would enslave us." (Scribd e-book p. 164)
_An Inner Step Toward God_ was one of my Lent 2023 devotional reads and I LOVED IT. A poignant and profound - yet blessedly simple - handbook on praying from the heart, one's inner prayer chamber. What I most appreciated, aside from the many practical insights, was how naturally trauma-informed the book was (without trying to be). This is a reminder of the confluence between Eastern Christian approaches to prayer, which are generally less dissociative and body-negative than typical "Western" approaches (please excuse the generalities), and a trauma-centered understanding of human beings.
Fr. Men presents prayer as an absolutely embodied practice, one that we can (and must) invite our body into, as the vessel of our souls. He acknowledges at various points the difficulties deep suffering, inner woundedness, and the harmful thought patterns that result can present for mind, body, and soul of those seeking to journey deeper into the pilgrimmage of prayer. The practical suggestions and exercises he includes take into account the ways anxiety, tension, and emotional distress can sabotage spiritual focus if we are not careful, discerning, and moderate in our approach.
Memorable quotes:
"We must keep in mind all spheres of our being when discussing the act of prayer. A correct understanding of one's design is necessary. ... Emotions are tightly woven together with the life of the body. It could be said that in mankind ... the whole of nature enters into a deep unity with the kingdom of the spirit. This location on the boundary between the natural and spiritual worlds makes mankind the embodiment of the universe, the entity through which natural existence ascends to God. Therefore, when we build a spiritual life within ourselves, we must consider our hierarchical structure and strive to include our _entire_ being in our walk with God. Metropolitan Anthony writes, "The body participates (noticeably or not) in every movement of the soul, be it a feeling, an abstract thought, a desire, or a supersensory experience." Consequently the body plays a critical role in prayer..." (Scribd e-book p. 35)
"Something is always gnawing at us, gnawing continually. And this turns into an obsession: "I need to do this. I need to do that. Everything must be done." It becomes a hindrance rather than a benefit, because it turns into an obsessive idea against a difficult backdrop of anxiety. Remember that we are mortal, that life is short, and that the Lord said. "Do not worry about your life, waht you will eat or what you will drink" (Matt. 6:25...). By this He meant that, even though the circumstances seem overwhelming, we must simply put one foot in front of the other and press on. If we do make plans for the future, they must be nothing more than sketches, nothing that would enslave us." (Scribd e-book p. 164)
September 14, 2017
It's not every day that you're able to read first-hand writings of a modern martyr. One of the sermons in this book, in fact, was given just the day before Fr. Alexander Men was murdered!
This is a short, simple and well-grounded spiritual legacy from an obviously holy & loving human being. Nothing dramatic or showy, but solid pastoral teaching & advice from a man of great faith.
It's also quite refreshing to find such ecumenical openness in Fr. Men's attitude. People of all traditions can profit from his wisdom.
This is a short, simple and well-grounded spiritual legacy from an obviously holy & loving human being. Nothing dramatic or showy, but solid pastoral teaching & advice from a man of great faith.
It's also quite refreshing to find such ecumenical openness in Fr. Men's attitude. People of all traditions can profit from his wisdom.
November 23, 2017
An excellent and very edifying book.
Fr Alexanders teachings deeply resonated with me.
Filled with beautiful prayers as well.
Strongly recommend to Orthodox and nonOrthodox alike .
Fr Alexanders teachings deeply resonated with me.
Filled with beautiful prayers as well.
Strongly recommend to Orthodox and nonOrthodox alike .
September 17, 2014
Beautiful book that will remain on my nightstand rather than on a shelf so that I can gain easy access to the wisdom offered. Clear, easy to follow, lovely language, wise words.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews