So morning or evening, immediately before you begin to repeat your prayers, stand awhile, sit for a while, or walk a little and try to steady your mind and turn it away from all worldly activities and objects. After this, think who He is to whom you turn in prayer, then recollect who you are; who it is who is about to start this invocation to Him in prayer. Do this in such a way as to waken in your heart a feeling of humility and reverent awe that you are standing in the presence of God.
When the mind does in fact wander during prayer, recall it —and do so over and over again. Whenever you have said a prayer while your mind was wandering— and so have said it without feeling or comprehension—never forget to recite again all that you said in this way.
- St. Theophan the Recluse
