The bachelor’s thesis addresses the challenge posed by the biblical call to unceasing prayer. In response, it presents an ancient yet still relevant Christian practice: the repetition of a short prayer that is personally meaningful and either chosen or composed by the individual. In an international context, this practice is referred to as aspirational prayer (traditionally known in theological literature as ejaculatory prayer, from Latin iaculatoria). Its purpose is to keep the fire of prayer constantly alive (cf. Lev 6:6), so that prayer and the remembrance of God do not cease even amid everyday activities. As this form of prayer can be integrated into every aspect of human life, it may justifiably be described as the “guiding thread of Christian life.”
This practice is closely connected and interwoven with other pillars of Christian spirituality, such as the Eucharist, the liturgy of the Hours, and the reading of Sacred Scripture; it can also be practiced during times dedicated exclusively to prayer, as it constitutes an integral part of contemplative prayer. In this way, it unifies all human activities into a coherent whole. Its ultimate aim is to attain unceasing prayer, that is, a life lived in constant awareness of the presence of God. This awareness does not unfold on a merely superficial mental or intellectual level, but on the level of an interpersonal relationship, since nothing other than love can be the sole possible meaning and ultimate goal of the life of every human being.
In its first chapter, the thesis offers a definition of aspirational prayer, describes its key characteristics, and provides the biblical and theological foundations of the call to unceasing prayer. The second chapter presents the historical development of the practice of aspirational prayers in both Eastern and Western Christianity up to the present day. The third chapter examines the place of aspirational prayer among the principal pillars of Christian spirituality and its interconnection with them. The final chapter offers practical guidance for the use of aspirational prayers in everyday life, as the thesis is explicitly practice-oriented and aims to help readers establish, vivify, and deepen their personal relationship with God through the aforementioned prayer practice.
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