Jesus departed from Jerusalem, and went to the desert beyond Jordan. One day while the disciples were seated round Jesus, he said, "Make prayer unceasingly, O my disciples, in order that you may receive. For the one who seeks he will find; the one who knocks, the door will be opened to him; and the one who asks it will be given to him.

In your prayer, do not speak too much, for God looks on the heart. The hypocrites make much prayer in every part of the city in order to be seen and held for saints by the multitude; but their heart is full of wickedness. Therefore, they do not mean what they ask. It is needful that you mean your prayer if you want God receives it.

Now tell me, who would go to speak to the Roman governor to Herod, except he first have made up his mind to whom he is going, and what he is going to do? Assuredly, none. Therefore, if man does so in order to speak with man, what should he do in order to speak with Almighty God? Man should ask God to have mercy for his sins, while thanking Him for all that God has given him.

Truly, I say to you that very few make true prayer, and therefore Satan has power over them; because God does not like those who honour Him just with their lips. They are thoes who in the temple ask with their lips for mercy, but their heart is far from Him.

He who goes to make prayer without consideration mocks God. Now who would go to speak to Herod with his back towards him, and before him speak well of Pilate the governor, whom he hates to the death? Assuredly, none. However, the man goes to make prayer but does not prepare himself. He turns his back to God and his face to Satan, and speaks well of him. In his heart is the love of iniquity, whereof he has not repented. I ask you that if one who has injured you, with his lips say, 'Forgive me,' but with his hands strikes you a blow, how would you forgive him? Even so God does not have mercy on those who with their lips say, 'Lord, have mercy on us,' and with their heart love iniquity and think on fresh sins."

Believe me in sooth that if man makes prayer to God as is fitting, he would obtain all that he asks. Remember Moses the servant of God, who with his prayer scourged Egypt, opened the Red Sea, and there drowned Pharaoh and his host. Remember Joshua, who made the sun stand still; Samuel, who smote with fear the innumerable host of the Philistines; Elijah, who made the fire to rain from heaven; Elisha, who raised a dead man, and so many other holy prophets, who by prayer obtained all that they asked. However, those men truly did not seek their own in their matters, but sought only God and his honour."