Let your prayer be completely simple. For both the publican and the prodigal son were reconciled to God by a single phrase… Before all else let us list sincere thanksgiving first on our prayer-card. On the second line we should put confession, and heartfelt contrition of soul. Then let us present our petition to the King of all… This is the best way of prayer, as it was shown to one of the brethren by an angel of the Lord. Do not be over-sophisticated in the words you use when praying, because the simple and unadorned lisping of children has often won the heart of their heavenly Father… If you feel sweetness or compunction at some word of your prayer, dwell on it; for then our guardian angel is praying with us.
–Saint John Climacus (c. 525-606)
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