Devotion (Christianity)

According to St Thomas Aquinas, devotion is the virtue which directs an individual to render to God that worship which is his due. It is one of the eleven acts said to constitute the most perfect worship that mankind is capable of. In contrast to feelings and emotions, devotion is an act of will, although by that act of will emotions will be aroused towards the object of devotion.

An inner, intimate, essential side of worship, devotion thus implies self-dedication to the divine will and a movement in intention towards unity with God. This approach of the soul towards the divine is marked by a particular quality of prayer, quietness and union "emptied of all forms, species and images", (Mme Guyon). There is also an act of praise and homage when divine love overwhelms the soul's sense of guilt in mercy and grace. Such devotion is inseparable from adoration and thanksgiving. The practice of devotion also includes [meditation]

or [contemplation]

, preceded by [recollection]

. This raises the whole personality to a higher level and releases otherwise hidden spiritual force. Another essential aspect of the life of devotion is [self-discipline]

leading to [self-surrender]

and a sincere and utter detachment from earthly things. This is not so much outward poverty as [self-simplification]

and may involve almsgiving and fasting. Such practices may lead to the experience of spiritual rapture and ecstasy.

For William Law, prayer is only a particular instance of devotion. Devotion implies a life devoted to God, when the person no longer lives to his own will or to the way of the world, but solely to God. God is considered and served in everything. Every part of common life is done in the name of God and under rules conforming to His glory. Any activity that is not carried out strictly according to the will of God is as absurd as prayers not according to His will. This is made clear in the scriptures, where the religion or devotion covering ordinary actions is continually emphasized whereas there is little insistence on public worship. It is in everyday life that humility, self-denial, renunciation of the world, poverty of spirit and heavenly affection are to be demonstrated if one is to live as a Christian.