St. Porphyrios: "You should speak to your soul..."

St. Ephraim the Syrian prostrating in prayer (source)

  
"You should speak to your soul," said St. Porphyrios once.
"And how should I speak to her?" He was asked by a spiritual child.
"With prayer! We direct it to God, but the words return again to our soul and influence her. God knows what we are thinking. We have need to learn them, however."
(source)
  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!