Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers

prayer_without_ceasing

Some brothers narrated the following story: One day we went to visit the old men and as was customary, once we had said the prayers and they had greeted us, we sat down. After talking with them we wanted to leave, and we asked them to say a prayer. One of the old men said, "What do you mean? Haven't you been praying?" We said, "Abba, there was the prayer when we came, but up till now we have been conversing." The old man said, "Forgive me, brothers, but there is a brother sitting and conversing with you who has, during this time, said three hundred prayers." When he had said that, they said the prayer, and took leave of us. The Desert Fathers