Abba Macarius was asked, ‘How should one pray?’ The old man said, ‘There
is no need at all to make long discourses, it is enough to stretch out
one’s hands and say, “Lord, as You will, and as You know, have mercy.”
And if the conflict grows fiercer say, “Lord, help!” He knows very well
what we need and He shows us His mercy.’
Sayings of the Desert Fathers by Benedicta Ward