Deep Prayer – Entering into God’s Presence
By Priest Aleksandar Radunovic
One more step deeper into the mystery of fasting, into the mystery of inner struggle, into the mystery of the relationship between the soul and God. Perhaps now you feel that something is changing within you—the mind is calmer, the heart is no longer so bound to bodily desires, and in the depths of your soul something new is arising:
a longing for prayer.
But what is true prayer?
Many people ask God for something—health, help, solutions to problems. That is not wrong, but
true prayer is more than asking.
True prayer is
entering into God’s presence.
“O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land, where there is no water.” (Ps. 63:1)
This thirst the psalmist speaks of is not a bodily thirst.
It is the soul’s thirst for God.
And if you want to be quenched, you must learn how to enter into
deep prayer—the kind of prayer in which you ask for nothing but Him.
First Step: What Is Deep Prayer?
Deep prayer is not a multitude of words.
Christ said:
“And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” (Matt. 6:7)
Prayer is not a pile of sentences—
prayer is presence.
When you pray, you shouldn’t just speak. You should
be there, before God, fully aware that He is there, that He sees you, that He loves you.
Just as a child sits next to their father and doesn’t need to say anything—
it is enough to know that he is there, in his embrace.
So it is with prayer.
The deeper it is, the simpler it becomes.
Sometimes a single word, a single sigh, a single name—can be stronger than a thousand words.
“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
This prayer is not merely a sentence—
it is a key that opens the door of the soul to God.
If you repeat it, if you carry it constantly in your heart, you will begin to feel how your spirit starts to change, how silence fills your mind, how your heart is warmed with an inner fire that you cannot explain.
Second Step: How to Enter into Deep Prayer
Deep prayer requires
preparation.
Just as a man cannot enter the Holy of Holies without purification, so too must the soul be prepared before it truly stands before God.
There are
three levels of prayer:
Prayer with words – when we say the prayers, but the mind is still wandering. This is the beginning.
Prayer of attention – when the mind begins to be gathered, when every word of the prayer becomes conscious.
Prayer of the heart – when there is no more need for words, when the whole soul is in God.
How can one reach the third level?
Cleanse the mind of unnecessary thoughts.
When you begin to pray, do not let your mind wander.
Don’t think about problems, people, or plans.
Just be there, before God.
Breathe the prayer.
Link the prayer with your breathing.
Inhale and say within yourself: “Lord Jesus Christ…”
Exhale and say: “Have mercy on me, a sinner.”
In this way, the prayer becomes part of you—like breathing.
Feel God’s presence.
Don’t just recite words—
try to feel that you are standing before God.
He is looking at you now. He knows your thoughts. He knows your soul.
Do not seek feelings—seek God.
The goal of prayer is not to feel something extraordinary.
Sometimes you will feel peace, sometimes tears, sometimes nothing.
But that is not important—
what matters is knowing you are with Him.
Third Step: Obstacles to Deep Prayer
Restlessness of the mind.
Thoughts constantly come and shift us from one topic to another.
Don’t fight them—just return to the prayer.
Distraction.
It’s hard to be focused when the mind is used to noise.
So, before prayer, make a moment of silence.
Doubt.
Sometimes it seems that God is silent.
But know this:
His silence is His answer.
He is present, even when you don’t feel Him.
Fourth Step: Fruits of Deep Prayer
If you enter into deep prayer, you will begin to notice changes within yourself:
Your mind will become calm.
Your heart will become gentle and compassionate.
You will feel less attached to the things of this world.
You will remain peaceful even in difficult moments.
You will feel that God is not far—He is within you.
This is not theory. This is not mysticism.
This is the reality of the lives of the saints.
And it is not reserved only for monks or ascetics—
anyone who desires can enter into this prayer, if only they are willing to persevere.
Today, the twenty-fourth day of the Fast, let your prayer be simple:
“Lord, teach me how to pray.”
And don’t rush.
Don’t search for words.
Don’t expect to enter the depths immediately.
Just sit before Him, breathe His name, and know—
He is there.
And then you will realize:
Prayer is not merely a word.
Prayer is an encounter with God.
And once you enter it, you will never want to leave.
