Quotes from A Short Method of Prayer by Madame Guyon

On pray-reading:

when the soul is thus gathered up within itself, and is sweetly occupied with the truth read, not in reasoning upon it, but in feeding upon it, and exciting the will by the affection rather than the understanding by consideration: the affection being thus touched, must suffer to repose sweetly and at peace, swallowing what it has tasted. (p.14-5)

On being patient before God:

Suffer the suspensions and the delays of the visible consolations of God. Be patient in prayer, even though you should do nothing all your life but wait in patience, with a heart humbled, abandoned, resigned, and content for the return of your Beloved. (p.18)

On stopping ourselves:

It is most important that all natural operation should cease, that God may act alone: "Be still, and know that I am God," is His own word by David. (p.26)

On anxiety:

It is of great importance that we should not be anxious about these faults, because anxiety only springs from a secret pride and a love of our own excellence. We are troubled at feeling what we are. If we become discouraged, we shall grow weaker yet; and reflection upon our faults produces a vexation which is worse than sin itself. (p.33)

On being drawn:

The soul does not act of itself, I admit; but it is drawn, and it follows the attracting power. (p.46)

On giving ourselves to God:

The desire of God is to give Himself to us, according to the capacity with which He has endowed us; and yet we fear to leave ourselves to God! (p.56)