Chapter 34

How the Apostles Were Able to Pray Without Ceasing

I recall that in Basil the Great, the question of how the Apostles could pray without ceasing is resolved thus: they thought of God in all their works and lived in unceasing surrender to God. This disposition of spirit was their unceasing prayer. There is your example. I think I have already written to you that from active people, to whom you belong, one cannot demand what is demanded of those at rest. Their main concern should be not to allow improper feelings when doing work and to strive in every way to dedicate all their work to God. This dedication will transform work into prayer. (13, 8–9)

Never approach God in a careless way. Always with great reverence. He has no need for our bows, nor for our lengthy prayers… A cry from the heart, brief and strong — that is what reaches Him! And this can be done while going about… And so one can pray without ceasing. Attend to this and direct everything toward it. The holy Epiphanius was asked: “How should we keep the hours?” — The hours?! Prayer has no particular hours: it must be every hour and every minute. Saint Basil the Great was asked: “How can one pray without ceasing?” He answered: “Keep a prayerful disposition in your heart and you will pray without ceasing. Work with your hands, but raise your mind to God.” The Apostles traversed the whole earth — what labors! And yet they prayed without ceasing. And they wrote down this commandment. A spirit of faith, hope, and surrender to the will of God — this is what must be kindled in the heart. (7, 78–79)