Abba Nilus said, “Whatever you do in retaliation against a brother who has wronged you will come into your heart at the time of prayer.”
He also said, “Prayer is a shoot of gentleness and freedom from anger.”
He also said, “Prayer is a remedy for grief and discouragement.”
He also said, “Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor; take up the cross, deny yourself, and you will be able to pray without distraction.”
He also said, “Whatever hardship you endure in the pursuit of wisdom will bear fruit for you at the time of prayer.”
He also said, “If you want to pray as you should, do not grieve a soul; otherwise you are running in vain.”
He also said, “Do not want things to happen as seems good to you, but as pleases God. Then you will be undisturbed and thankful in your prayer.”
He also said, “Blessed is the monk who considers himself the refuse of everyone.”
He also said, “The monk who loves stillness remains unwounded by the enemy’s arrows, but the one who mixes with crowds receives continual blows.”
He also said, “A servant who neglects his master’s work should prepare himself for lashes.”