Madame Guyon and the Lord's Prayer

I've been preparing the study guide to accompany one of our Pure Gold Classics, all of which have study guides, a timeline, an audio-excerpts download, illustrations, biographies, detailed indexes, and many other helpful features. Each one has been updated so that modern-English readers will find their reading of these classics to be user-friendly.

As you know, language changes over the years in all its systems, including morphology, semantics, phonology, and syntax. Sometimes the meanings of words and idioms broaden and sometimes they narrow. Our editors endeavor to be sensitive to these changes and make revisions accordingly.

Currently I'm working on the study guide for Experiencing Union With God Through Inner Prayer and The Way and Results of Union With God by Madame Jeanne Guyon, which was revised in modern English by our Senior Editor, Harold J. Chadwick. In this case the book had to be translated into English from its orginal French, so it is a book that has undergone several changes through the years.

Nonetheless, its profound spiritual impact continues to minister deeply to people around the world. Madame Guyon was known as "the woman who loved Christ too much," and her deep love of Him caused her to be severely persecuted. She even had to spend time in the Bastille, where she developed a serious illness. Nevertheless, she persevered in her faith and continued to write and teach on prayer, the inner life, the Law of Central Tendency, and knowing God intimately.

Here is one of the things she said about the Lord's Prayer: "Now they should repeat the Lord's prayer [slowly] in their native language. [As they do], they should think a little while about the meaning of the words, ['Our Father, who art in heaven'], and the infinite willingenss of God, who dwells within them, to become truly "their Father." In this state, let them pour out their wants before Him. When they [softly] speak the name of Father, they should remain a few moments in a reverential silence, wating to have the will of their heavenly Father made known to them."

Her teaching on meditative and contemplative prayer has never been surpassed, in my opinion. Madame Guyon's teachings have influenced so many, including John Wesley, Count Zinzendorf, George Fox, Jesse Penn-Lewis, Hudson Taylor, Watchman Nee, Paul Billheimer, and me. I highly recommend that you read this book and begin the adventure of inner prayer and experiencing God.