They asked Abba Macarius, “How should we pray?” And the old man replied, “There is no need to speak much in prayer; often stretch out your hands and say, “Lord, as you will and as you know, have mercy on me.” But if there is war in your soul, add, “Help me!” and because he knows what we need, he shows mercy on us.”
Abba Theodore, surnamed Pherme, had three good books. He went to Abba Macarius and said to him, “I have three good books, and I am helped by reading them; other monks also want to read them and they are helped by them. Tell me, what am I to do?” The old man said, “Reading books is good but possessing nothing is more than all.’ When he heard this, he went away and sold the books and gave the money to the poor.
