Prayer and Velleity
Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2021 3:39 pm
Comparing Matthew 6:6 with the discourse of Epictetus (c.50–c.135 CE) - a series of informal lectures by Epictetus written down by his pupil Arrian around 108 CE.
(A) Here is the statement of the Stoic Epictetus (via Ariann) in relation to (Stoic) prayer:
"Nevertheless he has placed by every man a guardian,
every man's Daimon, to whom he has committed the care of the man,
a guardian who never sleeps, is never deceived.
For to what better and more careful guardian
could He have entrusted each of us?
When, then, you have shut the doors and made darkness within,
remember never to say that you are alone, for you are not;
but God is within, and your Daimon is within, and what need
have they of light to see what you are doing?
To this God you ought to swear an oath
just as the soldiers do to Caesar.".
(B) Here is the statement of Jesus (via Matthew 6.6) in relation to (Christian) prayer:
6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,
who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
So is there any dependence?
(A) ==> (B) or (B) ==> (A) ?