When the intellect turns away from external things and concentrates on what is within, it is restored to itself; it is united, that is to say, to the principle of its own consciousness, and through this principle naturally inherent in its own substance it devotes itself entirely to prayer.
By means of prayer it ascends with all its loving power and affection to the knowledge of God….it pursues the beauty of Christ, engaging in works of devotion…it cleaves to Christ with love…it continually contemplates Christ….discoursing with Christ in pure prayer it is filled with delight and joy…
For God welcomes the discourse born of prayer, and when He is lovingly invoked and called to our aid, He bestows inexpressible joy on the beseeching soul. For when the soul brings God to mind in the discourse of prayer, it is gladdened by the Lord…
~Theoliptos, Metropolitan of Philadelphia
Prayerful Life 