As weak human beings we are not able to pray all the time with words, but we are able to do so by having a longing heart: “Longing is always a prayer, even though the tongue is silent. If you are longing without interruption, then you are always praying. When does our prayer sleep? Only when our desire cools” (Sermon 80, 7). Nevertheless, Augustine always underlines the necessity of a special time for praying with words.

(This was taken from the Augustinian Website)

Dear God,

Help me to pray . . . or rather increase my longing for You . . . set my heart on fire with the fire of Your Spirit . . . set my heart ablaze with the flames of Your Divine Love. This I ask in the name of Your Son and our Lord Jesus Christ and the intercession of the Great Mother of God, Mary Most Holy. Amen.