From a letter to Proba by St.Augustine,bishop

Let us exercise our desire in prayer
(Ep.130,8,15,17-9,18:CSEL 44,56.57.59-60)

Why in our fear of not praying as we should,do we turn to so many things,to find what we should pray for?Why do we not say instead,in the words of the psalm:I have asked one thing from the Lord,this is what I will seek: to dwell in the Lord´s house all the days of my life,to see the graciousness of the Lord,and to visit his temple.There,the days do not come and go in succession,and the beginning of one day does not mean the end of another;all days are one,simultaneously and without end,and the life lived out in these days has itself no end.
So that we might obtain this life of happiness,he who is true life itself taught us to pray,not in many words as though speaking longer could gain us a hearing.After all,we pray to one who,as the Lord himself tells us,knows what we need before we ask for it.
Why he should ask us to pray,when he knows what we need before we ask him,may perplex us if we do not realize that our Lord and God does not want to know what we want( for he can not fail to know it ) but wants us rather to exercise our desire through our prayers,so that we may be able to receive what he is preparing to give us.His gift is very great indeed,but our capacity is too small and limited to receive it.That is why we are told: Enlarge your desires,do not bear the yoke with unbelievers.
The deeper our faith,the stronger our hope,the greater our desire,the larger will be our capacity to receive that gift,which is very great indeed.No eye has seen it;it has no color.No ear has heard it;it has no sound.It has not entered man´s heart;man´s heart must enter into it.
In this faith,hope and love we pray always with unwearied desire.However,at set times and seasons we also pray to God in words,so that by these signs we may instruct ourselves and mark the progress we have made in our desire,and spur ourselves on to deepen it.The more fervent the desire,the more worthy will be its fruit.When the Apostle tells us:Pray without ceasing,he means this:desire unceasingly that life of happiness which is nothing if not eternal,and ask it of him who alone is able to give it.

GALATIANS 6:7b-8

A man will reap only what he sows.If he sows in the field of the flesh,he will reap a harvest of corruption;but if his seed-ground is the spirit,he will reap everlasting life.

EPHESIANS 4:29-32

Never let evil talk pass your lips;say only the good things men need to hear,things that will really help them.Do nothing that will sadden the Holy Spirit with whom you were sealed againts the day of redemption.Get rid of all bitterness,all passion and anger,harsh words,slander,and malice of every kind.In place of these,be kind to one another,compassionate,and mutually forgiving,just as God has forgiven you in Christ.

ROMANS 12:13-21

Look on the needs of the saints as your own;be generous in offering hospitality.Bless your persecutors;bless and do not curse them.Rejoice with those who rejoice,weep with those who weep.Have the same attitude toward all.Put away ambitious thoughts and associate with those who are lowly.Do not be wise in your own estimation.Never repay injury with injury.See that your conduct is honorable in the eyes of all.If possible,live peaceably with everyone.Beloved,do not avenge yourselves;leave that God´s wrath,for it is written:"Vengeance is mine;I will repay,"says the Lord."But "if your enemy is hungry,feed him;if he is thirsty,give him something to drink;by doing this you will heap burning coals upon his head."Do not be conquered by evil but conquer evil with good.