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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"Pray without ceasing; In every thing giving thanks: for this is the will of God." Always to give thanks, this is a mark of a philosophic soul. Hast thou suffered any evil? But if thou wilt, it is no evil. Give thanks to God, and the evil is changed into good. Say thou also as Job said, "Blessed be the name of the Lord for ever." (Job i. 21) For tell me, what such great thing hast thou suffered? Has disease befallen thee? Yet it is nothing strange. For our body is mortal, and liable to suffer. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
The Apostle showed the path to constant joy, to unceasing prayer, and to thanksgiving. For whoever is accustomed to turning to God and thanks Him for everything that has served for his benefit — that person will obviously have constant joy. How then will you always give thanks? If you realize that it is the will of God for you to always be grateful to Him, as your constant benefactor in Christ Jesus, that is, through the cooperation of the Lord Jesus. …
Ignatius of Antioch
Having obtained good proof that thy mind is fixed in God as upon an immoveable rock, I loudly glorify [His name] that I have been thought worthy [to behold] thy blameless face, which may I ever enjoy in God! I entreat thee, by the grace with which thou art clothed, to press forward in thy course, and to exhort all that they may be saved. Maintain thy position with all care, both in the flesh and spirit. Have a regard to preserve unity, than which nothing is better. Bear with all, even as the Lord does with thee. …
Western Saints
Augustine of Hippo
And who observed and noticed the cause of his groaning? "All my desire is before Thee." For it is not before men who cannot see the heart, but it is before Thee that all my desire is open! Let your desire be before Him; and "the Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee." For it is thy heart's desire that is thy prayer; and if thy desire continues uninterrupted, thy prayer continueth also. …
Jerome
'And meditates on his law day and night.' [Psalm 1:2] The psalmist has already mentioned three things one must not do: follow the Counsel of the wicked; stand in the way of sinners; sit in the company of the insolent. These three things we must not do, but there are also two things that we must do, for it will not be sufficient for us to shun evil unless we seek good. 'But delights in the law of the Lord.' The psalm does not say fears the law, but delights in the law. …
Thomas Aquinas
Secondly, to pray for the blessings they want to receive. Paul urges, pray constantly. "They ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Lk. 18:1). How is this possible? It may happen in three ways. First, that person who does not neglect the appointed hours for prayer, prays always. "You shall eat at my table always" (2 Sam. 9:7). Secondly, "Pray constantly" means to pray continuously. But then prayer is considered under the aspect of the effect of the prayer. …
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