Daniel said, ‘If the body is strong, the soul weakens. If the body weakens, the soul is strong.’ He also said, ‘If the body is prosperous, the soul grows lean; if the body is lean, the soul grows prosperous.’

in THE DESERT FATHERS: SAYINGS OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN MONKS, TRANS. BENEDICTA WARD (PENGUIN CLASSICS, 2003)

Come swiftly, O Lord, to the dark moments when we are lost. Make us aware of Thy presence. Strengthen us to resist the urges and pulls to deeper darkness. Stir us to move away from the dark moments of sinfulness toward the light of Thy forgiveness. Come quickly, O Lord, as we call – or forget to call – and keep Thou close to us and keep us close to Thee this day and night and as far as the days and nights stretch before us, through Christ. Amen.