“Prayer of the heart is prayed only by a person who has attracted the grace of God. It mustn’t be done with the thought “I’ll learn it, I’ll do it, I’ll acquire it,” because in this way we may be led to egotism and pride. Not only experience and genuine desire but also wisdom, care and prudence are required if our prayer is to be pure and pleasing to God. A single seductive thought, “I have really made progress” for example brings everything to naught. Why should we be proud? We have nothing that is our own. These are very delicate matters.”
Elder Porphyrios
~Wounded by Love