Desire itself is your prayer, and if your desire is continuous your prayer is unceasing. For the Apostle did not say in vain, "Pray without ceasing.” Is it possible that we should unceasingly bend the knee or prostrate our body or raise up our hands that he should tell us, "Pray without ceasing”? Or, if we say that we pray in this manner, I do not think that we are able to do it unceasingly. There is another prayer that is unceasing and interior, and it is desire. Whatever else you do, if you desire that sabbath [i.e., eternal life] you do not cease to pray. If you do not wish to stop praying, do not stop desiring. Your unceasing desire is your uninterrupted voice. You will grow silent if you stop loving.
SAINT AUGUSTINE Exposition of the Psalms 37.14
