and speak to my Lord, who am dust and ashes; nay, worse, an unworthy and thankless sinner, who have so often insulted and offended thy majesty? Alas, if the just begins his speech by accusing himself, and dares not approach to thee, where shall I, the wicked and the sinner, appear? Is it, then, strange, that my spirit is troubled, and my heart vexed within me, if I am straitened on every side, while I reflect on the necessity of prayer, and how unworthy I am to pray? But whither shall I go from thy spirit, or whither shall I fly from thy presence? I am thy servant: give me understanding, and teach me to do thy will.
Christ. It is I who exhort and invite thee to pray and to speak with me. Come, then, and do not fear. But beware thou come not unpreared. Consider Moses, who, before he came to converse with me, was commanded to put off the shoes from his feet. Follow, then, his example. First put off the actions and desires that are stained with the dust of the earth. For many rush irreverently and rashly to speak with me, as if they thought of nothing less than my presence, or that none are less worthy of honour and respect. Is it thus that the culprit conducts himself before his judge, the dependant before his lord, the servant before his master, the beggar before the rich man? Nay, does a man speak thus to another who is his equal? If, then, thou wilt please me, or escape the fierceness of my wrath, be more diligent to prepare thyself to pray. For cursed is he who doeth the work of God negligently.
Before prayer, therefore, prepare thy soul, and be not as a man that tempteth God. He does this who asks of me by means that are unusual, or not rightly ordained; who dares to expect fruit from that prayer which is begun without care and attention, and performed in a dry spirit, without pleasure and affection. These are they who honour me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. But see what this preparation requires of thee to do.
First of all, be sorry from the bottom of thy heart that thou hast so often offended me by sin, for praise is not comely in the mouth of a sinner. For how wilt thou tell of my justice, and take my testament in thy mouth, thou, who hatest my discipline, and hast thrown my words behind thee? Whom should I more readily and graciously look upon than him who is of an humble spirit, a contrite heart, and who trembles at my words? I will do the will of them that fear me, and will hear their prayer. Oh, how often have I called thee, and
