I'd like to start by saying...

This book has opened up my eyes and mind in regards to how to strengthen my relationship with the God. "true prayer is a reflection of love for the Lord, yearning for Him." At times standing up for prayer was just a mere task to fullfil, but now it's a time I set aside and look forward to...though I still have a long way to fully comprehend the prayers.

The first chapter emphasizes the emotions and feelings we should have for God, to seek him, to search for him when we are lost. "As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for you. O God. My Soul thirsts for God, for the living God." Love is a main theme also here in this chapter and just as He gives us his unconditional love, so also we must "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." There is also the the ONE SIN "FACTOR." After reading the first chapter, I have become more and more aware of my actions and thoughts to recognize my Sin before it's committed and steer myself back to a saying that a Monk once taught me...Anytime I face a tribulation or a bad thought I should automatically make the sign of the cross 3 times and say "koddoos koddoos koddoos, abl ma el-shetan ye doos!"

I look forward to continuing this discussion as more and more of you begin to read the book and I would like to tell you that the book gets better and better. The simple use of words, the deep contemplation on such simple verses, I almost felt as if His Holiness was talking specifically to me while reading these chapters.

Good Luck
God Bless