Sculpting Project 20: Abba Isaac’s Formula: Week 1

We sit on the ground in a small cave-like room. Year: about 390 A.D. The Egyptian desert sun beats outside, bread and vegetables are spread out before us as we listen to Abba Isaac. “So, you are searching for continual awareness of God. I have a way for you to reach this awareness. It was handed down to us by a few of the oldest Fathers and I will pass it on to you, if you truly desire it.

This, then is the devotional formula that is absolutely necessary for possessing the perpetual awareness of God: ‘O God, incline unto my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me.’ You must make a habit of meditating on this ceaselessly in your heart.

This prayer (Psalm 70:1) has been selected from out of the whole body of Scripture as a very strong shield for all those who labor under the attack of demons. It adjusts itself to every condition, crisis, and attack. When we call on God with this prayer we can be assured that we are heard by our Always Present God.” Paraphrase of The Conferences (Tenth Conference) by John Cassian

I’m sitting on a stump in the milking room. Year: 2014. The sun is just coming up into a high desert. Jessie stands before me chewing grain. As I milk I am singing through the Psalms. A friend’s well-being is heavy on my heart so I turn back to Psalm 70 and use it as a prayer for my friend. I like the Psalm so much I decide to memorize it and verse 1 catches my attention. Hum, this is so familiar. Isn’t this a Desert Father’s prayer method? Sure enough, the very verse.