Hearing Prayers

᾽Ειπεν ὁ ἀββᾶς Ζήνων· ῾Ο θελων ταχὺ ινα εισακούσῃ ὁ Θεος τῆς εὐχῆς αὐτοῦ, ἡνικα ἀναστῇ και ἐκτεινει τάς χειρας αὐτοῦ πρὸς θεον, πρὸ πάντων και πρὸ τῆς ἰδιας ψυχῆς ὑπερ τῶν ἐχθρων αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ ψυχῆς εὔξηται· και δια τούτου κατορθώματος, ει τι ἂν παρακαλέσῃ τῷ Θεῷ ὑπακούει αὐτῷ.  ᾽Αποφθεγματα των ἀγιων γεροντων, Παλλαδιος

Father Zeno said, 'He who wishes that God hear his prayer quickly, on rising let him stretch out his hands to God, and before everything, before even his own soul, let him pray for his enemy. For by this righteous deed God shall hearken to whatever he asks.' Sayings of the Fathers, Palladius of Galatia