Skip to content

When we say to people, 'I will pray for you,' we make a…

“When we say to people, 'I will pray for you,' we make a very important commitment. The sad thing is that this remark often remains nothing but a well-meant expression of concern. But when we learn to descend with our mind into our heart, then all those who have become part of our lives are led…” quote by Henri J.M. Nouwen
Download Open image
““When we say to people, 'I will pray for you,' we make a very important commitment. The sad thing is that this remark often remains nothing but a well-meant expression of concern. But when we learn to descend with our mind into our heart, then all those who have become part of our lives are led into the healing presence of God and touched by him in the center of our being. We are speaking here about a mystery for which words are inadequate. It is the mystery that the heart, which is the center of our being, is transformed by God into his own heart, a heart large enough to embrace the entire universe. Through prayer we can carry in our heart all human pain and sorrow, all conflicts and agonies, all torture and war, all hunger, loneliness, and misery, not because of some great psychological or emotional capacity, but because God's heart has become one with ours.””

Henri J.M. Nouwen

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Prayer deepens empathy, allowing one’s heart to merge with divine compassion, transforming personal suffering into shared healing.

In simple terms: Prayer connects us to God’s compassionate heart.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate heartfelt prayer for empathy.

Themes

spirituality compassion healing interconnectedness

Mood

contemplative hopeful

Type

spiritual inspirational

When to use this quote

  • grief
  • conflict
  • war
  • loneliness
  • hunger

Key Concepts

mystical union transformative prayer

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does “descend with our mind into our heart” mean to you?
  • How can you embody God’s heart in daily life?
A Different Perspective

May feel inadequate without strong faith.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Explore all 115 Henri J.M. Nouwen quotes

More Christianity quotes

Browse all 14,385 Christianity quotes