"In the course of the day, one must often call upon God from the heart in brief words, judging by the need of the soul and current affairs. You start by saying, for example, "Bless, Lord." When you finish the work, say: "Glory to Thee, O Lord," and not only with the tongue, but also with the feeling of the heart. Whatever passion rises, say: "Save, Lord, I am perishing." The darkness of doubtful thoughts finds - cry out: "Bring my soul out of prison." Unjust deeds are before you, and sin draws you to them - pray: "Tread me, O Lord, on the path"; sins oppress and lead to despair - cry out with the publican's voice: "God, be merciful to me, a sinner." And so it is in any case.

Or simply often say: "Lord, have mercy", "Lady Mother of God, have mercy on me!", "Angel of God, my holy guardian, protect me", or whatever other word you call out. Only, as often as possible, make these invocations, always trying to make them come from the heart."

Here, as we see, Bishop. St. Theophan suggests that throughout the day we unceasingly offer up short prayers, depending on our deeds and condition, with requests for help, protection and strengthening.

Here it is appropriate to recall how the habit of remembrance of God and unceasing prayer saved Elder Silouan from mortal danger three times.

A rabid dog was running straight at him - it was no longer possible to run from it. Silouan only had time to pray: "Lord, have mercy." And some force threw the dog aside, and it ran past. Another time, a large log rolled down a high mountain at him. Again he cried out to the Lord for help, and the log stopped, catching on something.

For the third time, a fish bone got into his windpipe. Immediately he turned in prayer to the Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon, and he was inspired to cough violently - and the bone came out of the larynx with a large amount of blood.

We also heard a story about a certain Caucasian hermit elder, who incessantly prayed. Once, by chance, when he was walking through the mountains, his prayer was interrupted. Suddenly, he slipped and went downhill into the abyss. Falling, he resumed his prayer, and immediately his fall stopped, and he found himself standing firmly on his feet.

A special example of unceasing prayer is given to us by St. Macrina is the sister of St. Basil the Great. The nun accustomed herself to unceasing contemplation of God and prayer from childhood by means of sacred singing, which did not cease in her mouth. In the life of the nun it is written: "Whether she got out of bed (as a girl) or took up some work, whether she sat down to dine or got up from the table, noon and evening - she did not miss without singing psalms."

Whatever the form of unceasing prayer, it leads a Christian to the fact that he is in unceasing communion with God, draws strength from Him, preserves his spiritual structure, and thereby achieves the goal of his life - eternal abiding in the Holy Spirit.

Pdp. St. John Climacus speaks of the need for constant vigilance in prayer: "Remember that you must preserve yourself even after prayer, and you must know that the crowds of demons, defeated by you, are again besieging you."

In order to bring oneself closer to unceasing prayer, it is necessary to supplement the morning and evening rules with prayers during the day itself.

As a well-known minimum, Fr. Seraphim suggests that the laity perform the prayer rule three times a day - in the morning, in the middle of the day, and in the evening. During the day, the monk allows the fulfillment of the rule in the midst of work - on the go, if it is impossible to choose time for solitude.

Its rule for the laity immersed in the vanity of the day consists of reading: three times the "Our Father", three times "To the Mother of God" and once "I believe". Those who read the usual church rules in the morning and evening can take at least the rule of St. John. Seraphim.

In addition to brief appeals to the Lord in the middle of the day, as Bishop Isaac teaches us to do. Theophan the Recluse, it can be recommended to say (aloud or in the mind) certain prayers offered by the Church in various circumstances.