"A prayer is a request for a good directed to God by a believer. We do not consider this request limited to words. Indeed, we do not believe that God needs words to remember, for he knows what we need even if we do not pray for it. But what do we mean by this? That our prayer should not consist of just syllables, but should rather find its strength in the choices of the soul, and in the practice of the virtues throughout our life.... When sitting at table, pray; when taking your bread, thank him who grants it to you.... May you never cease remembering your benefactor. If you put on a garment, thank him who gave it to you; if you throw a cloak around your shoulders, may you grow in love for God who provides for us in summer and winter.... Has the day ended? Thank him who gives us the sun for daytime work and who grants us fire to light up the night and serve the other needs of life. May the night thus bring you other reasons to pray. When you lift your eyes to heaven and stare at the beauty of the stars, pray to the Lord of all these visible things and adore God, the sublime maker of the universe, who created all things with wisdom."
Basil the Great, Homily for Judith the Martyr, 3-4
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