The Mystery of Unceasing Prayer is in Love for the Lord

Pray without ceasing—labor in prayer—and you will acquire unceasing prayer, which will of itself begin to be accomplished in the heart without special effort. It is evident to everyone that the commandment of the holy Apostle is not fulfilled by the mere performance of appointed prayers at fixed hours, but requires constant walking before God, the dedication of all deeds to God, the all-seeing and everywhere-present, by warming the affectionate turning of the mind to him in the heart. All life, in all its manifestations, must be pervaded by prayer. But the mystery of it is in love for the Lord. As a bride who has loved her bridegroom does not part from him in remembrance and feeling; so the soul, united with the Lord in love, remains inseparably with him, offering him warm discourse from the heart. He who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17). (17, 219)