“It is clear that he does not pray, who, far from uplifting himself to God, requires that God shall lower Himself to him, and who resorts to prayer not to stir the man in us to will what God wills, but only to persuade God to will what the man in us wills.”
- 1225 – March 7, 1274
- Born in the Kingdom of Sicily (Italy)
- Theologian, philosopher
- A representative figure of scholasticism, who systematized the relationship between the doctrines of the Catholic Church and reason through his masterpiece, the Summa Theologica
Quote
“It is clear that he does not pray, who, far from uplifting himself to God, requires that God shall lower Himself to him, and who resorts to prayer not to stir the man in us to will what God wills, but only to persuade God to will what the man in us wills.”
Explanation
In this quote, Thomas Aquinas emphasizes the true nature and purpose of prayer. He criticizes the kind of prayer where a person seeks to make God conform to their own desires, rather than aligning themselves with God’s will. For Aquinas, prayer should be a process of uplifting the soul towards God, aiming to shape our intentions and desires according to divine purpose. Instead of trying to make God fulfill our personal wishes, the purpose of genuine prayer is to transform ourselves, allowing us to will what God wills and to align with His greater plan.
Aquinas lived in an era where faith and religious practices were central to daily life, and he often sought to clarify the meaning and intention behind these practices. In this quote, he highlights the difference between self-centered prayer and spiritual surrender. According to Aquinas, true prayer is an act of humility and devotion, where one seeks to deepen their connection with God by being open to divine guidance rather than trying to control outcomes. This perspective aligns with his broader theological framework that emphasizes union with God as the ultimate goal of human existence, and the role of prayer as a means to draw closer to that goal.
In the modern world, this message remains relevant as it addresses the common tendency to approach spirituality or faith practices with a self-focused mindset. Many people may find themselves praying for specific outcomes without considering whether those desires align with a greater purpose or whether they are truly beneficial in the broader context of their life. Aquinas’s insight encourages a shift in perspective—from trying to use prayer as a means to influence outcomes in one’s favor, to using it as a means of inner transformation and openness to a higher purpose. This approach invites a deeper and more meaningful relationship with spirituality, where the focus is on growth and alignment rather than simply fulfillment of personal wants.
