Prayer is the main factor in the spiritual life of a Christian. Through prayer, the believer begins repentance and is guided towards salvation, sanctification, and deification. Only through prayer can the worldly evil that dominates our society today be countered.

The blessed Elder Joseph of Vatopedi was one of the few who had received the gift of pure, uninterrupted prayer, as well as the state that arises beyond prayer. How this happened, and how prayer operated in the life of the Elder, is described in the book "Mystagogy of Prayer according to Elder Joseph of Vatopedi," authored by Elder Ephraim, Abbot of the Holy Great Monastery of Vatopedi, aided by the teachings of the blessed Elder on prayer, from what he experienced during the thirty years he was with him, as well as from the Elder's own spontaneous prayers, which are presented to the reading audience for the first time.