ABSTRACT
Praying is an ardent speaking with God in which man does not know what to say or ask. In prayer the mouth is really not required to speak, but the heart only. The context of chaplets, rosaries and the Book of Hours, noted forms the background for Farel's statements. He now comes to just the opposite point of view regarding common lay perceptions of prayer: instead of muttering with the lips regardless of one's thoughts, Farel allows ceasing lip movement altogether to be concerned with thoughts only. His reasoning is also theological: true prayer involves the movement of the Holy Spirit within the believer. Bodenmann and Labarthe are inclined to believe that Farel most likely dictated the prayer to an amanuensis. They point to several linguistic and stylistic indications. As Christoph Burger has pointed out, evangelical themes also pervade the prayer. Thus, righteousness by works is ruled out. Law and gospel are contrasted. A true and living faith is sought.
