Tertullian · On Prayer

Chapter XII — We Must Be Free Likewise from All Mental Perturbation.

Nor merely from anger, but altogether from all perturbation of mind, ought the exercise of prayer to be free, uttered from a spirit such as the Spirit unto whom it is sent. For a defiled spirit cannot be acknowledged by a holy Spirit, nor a sad by a joyful, nor a fettered by a free. No one grants reception to his adversary: no one grants admittance except to his compeer.

Notes

  1. 8838. Eph. iv. 30.
  2. 8839. John xvii. 14; Rom. xiv. 17.
  3. 8840. Ps. li. 12.