Orthodox Prayer Life: The Interior Way

Amazingly deep book. I am only just over a third of the way into the book and its super deep, compelling and inspiring. I suggest al Christians of ALL denominations checking out this book. If you are seeking to deepen your prayer life and ultimately know and see God, with a clear outline how to get there - this book is a MUST READ!

This book is based upon the notes of a contemporary Egyptian Orthodox Christian monk regarding prayer. It defines the different types of prayer, instruction on how to pray and hindrances we find in our spiritual growth. Matthew the Poor brings his own experiences as well as those from the eastern Orthodox tradition and the west. Each chapter contains instruction from the Desert Fathers. It is practical advice, what I call applied faith. The book is not about discussing 'theology' and which church is right and which is not. It is about living the Christian faith and how a life of prayer can be achieved in our life. Matthew the Poor provides advice when you God feels distant and for those times and your faith feels week. I have bought many of the books Matthew the Poor references and, even though I never met him, I consider him to be one of my spiritual fathers. I did try to find his monastery when I visited Egypt a few years ago but the taxi cab driver we heard, who promised us he knew the way, never found it...This is deeply spiritual book and I highly recommend it for those who want to deepen their understanding of prayer.An update. This has become one of my favorite books and I bought a copy for my son who also loves the book and Matthew the Poor.

I have no more than saying that this is a very high and unique extremely profound style of Christian writing by an author who is commonly described as a Christian school for his many writings and oral teaching on different aspects of Christianity. The writer is a *Coptic monk who spent most of his life in prayers in the deserts of Egypt. You really need to read this book which was his first book three years after he had abandoned the world to dwell the desert for the rest of his life and after he had been a rich phrmacist. This book can be said to be a true masterpiece that I enjoyed reading it several times in Arabic before being translated into English with many other books by the same writer. This is published by (St. Vladimir's Seminary Press". Thanks to Amazon for making such treasures available for that reasonable price.Wish you all the best.Adel*the Copts are currently the christians of Egypt (mostly Orthodox) and they are the descendants of the Ancient Egyptians - Different from the Arab of Egypt. the words Copt and Egypt are mainly derived from the Greek word 'Aiguptos' different from the current Arabic name of Egypt 'Misr' which means 'country' in Arabic

An outstanding writer, love Fr. Matta's style of writing.not too big of a book under 300 pages but it is rich contents will take you deep in your relationship with Christ.

It's a shame that the Coptic Church is not visibly in union with Rome. As many reading this will know, they never were guilty of the Nestorian heresy. This "Eastern lung" as Pope John Paul II referred to the Eastern Church, is clearly much less 'smoke-filled' than so much of the 'Western Lung'.The value of the deep spirituality of the Coptic (mystic) Monks is immeasurable and Matta El-Meskeen, who lived the life of the great desert fathers of the past, has so much to teach any Christian willing to take the time and read the 'pearls of wisdom' contained in the pages of this book.It's not a book that can be read from from front to back. It requires reading a page at a time and sometime only a paragraph or phrase. One is called to reflect, pray and learn from this master.Anyone who is serious about enhancing their prayer life would do well to acquire this and other writings of Abuna El-Meskeen. Check out his monastery's website ([...]).

The Desert Fathers of the early Christian centuries were the champions of the monastic life, who fled to the desert to seek the presence of God. That was a long time ago, but their teachings and practice lived on in our times at least in Matthew the Poor, a Coptic monk who practiced their ways in all authenticity. This is a beautifully structured work on the life of prayer, calling us to an ardent and continual openness to the presence of the Holy Spirit, transforming us 'from glory to glory'. He leads us on from the simple beginnings of the life of prayer to the heights of contemplation, but the whole book is pervaded by the clear common-sense of desert monasticism, with no diversions into esoteric practices or bizarre gnosis. You will not find a better book on prayer if you read a million others.

This book covers all the basic and most important aspects of prayer. It is hidden with bountiful treasures and many wonderful secrets. If there was any book that could guide you through the journey of prayer, it is this one. Father Matthew lived everything he wrote and gives us the same guide he had. Please get this book and do not just read it, but use it as a guide for prayer for the rest of your life, and pray through everything you read because it is worth it! I have read what most people say are the greatest books on prayer, but this one is just as great, if not, then greater!

A very good read. Highly recommend. Loved it.

This is definitely one of the best books I ever read, and I read a lot. This book made me to look to the bible from a different angle. Not to learn but to understand.

This one is in my Top 3, if not favorite my spiritual book altogether. Simple, clear, easy read, and deeply rich. Read this book.

Beautifully presented - the roots of Orthodox prayer. A must have!

Ich habe dieses Buch und "the communion of love" gekauft und bin sprachlos. Die zwei besten religiösen Bücher die mir je unter gekommen sind. Sie haben meinen Zugang zur heiligen Schrift radikal geändert. Es steckt soviel Weisheit in diesen Büchern, dass ich sehr lange brauchen werden dies alles halbwegs zu rezipieren. Warum gibt es dieses Buch nicht auf deutsch??

Written by the hand of experience, Matta El Meskeen knows exactly the challenges of spiritual prayer, puts forward simple but deep advice in a language which expresses his humility and love of God. The book is both enlightening and encouraging.