His Holiness Pope Shenouda reflected on David’s words: “Out of the depths I cried to You, O Lord”, explaining that true prayer comes from the depth of the heart, not merely from the lips, and that God listens to the voice rising from a soul filled with faith, love, and humility.

Meaning of Crying from the Depths

He explained that crying from the depths means praying from the depth of the heart, emotion, faith, and trust, from a deep awareness of one’s need for God. Such prayer is not born of despair—since Christianity knows no despair—but from a sense of need and complete surrender to God’s will.

Biblical Examples of Deep Prayer

The Pope offered vivid examples:

• Jonah in the belly of the fish, who cried out from deep distress and was heard by the Lord.

• Elijah, who prayed with faith and fire came down from heaven.

• The people praying at the Mokattam mountain, whose deep faith brought miraculous deliverance.
  All these prayers came from depth, not outward form.

Difference Between Length and Depth in Prayer

He emphasized that the value of prayer lies not in its length but in its depth. The tax collector said one short sentence with tears and humility and was justified more than the Pharisee with his long prayer. Likewise, the right-hand thief, with one heartfelt plea, entered Paradise.

True Prayer

True prayer is full of emotion, repentance, faith, hope, and contemplation. It is not repetition of words but a living dialogue with God. As St. Paul said: “I would rather speak five words with understanding than ten thousand in a tongue.”

Depth in All Aspects of Life

The Pope expanded to show that depth must exist in fasting, giving, service, repentance, and love. Every sincere act from the heart has eternal value, no matter how small. He gave examples such as the widow’s two mites and Abraham’s offering of Isaac—both acts done from deep love, faith, and obedience.

Depth in Service and Faith

He said the apostles served deeply, and thus Christianity spread to the ends of the earth. True service is not measured by the number of lessons or meetings but by the depth of its impact on souls. A person with deep faith never wavers, being rooted firmly in God.

Spiritual Call

Pope Shenouda concluded that God does not seek quantity but sincerity and depth of heart. One act done from the depth of love can outweigh a lifetime, for, as Scripture says, “All the glory of the king’s daughter is within.”

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