Let us not only detach ourselves from the liquid and confused life, but have our fast, chant and prayer in knowing that he is present and sees us, knowing clearly, that neither fast, nor chant or prayer can save us by themselves, but only if we have them in front of God. By seeing us the eyes of the Lord sanctify us, as the sun heats all that receive its light. Our works are made in front of God when our mind sees Him clearly. Then we fast, chant and pray because we see Him.

Speech 9, In the time of fast and prayer, Patrologia Graeca 151.109

Μή μόνον τῆς ὑγρᾶς καὶ διακεχυμένης ζωῆς ἑαυτοὺς ἀποστήσωμεν, ἀλλὰ καὶ τὴν ἡμετέραν νηστείαν καὶ ψαλμωδίαν καὶ προσευχὴν ὡς αὐτοῦ παρόντος καὶ ὑφορῶντος τοῦ Θεοῦ ποιώμεθα, εἰδότες, ὡς οὔτε νηστεία οὔτε ψαλμωδία οὔτε προσευχὴ σώζειν ἡμᾶς καθ' ἑαυτὰ δύναται, ἀλλὰ τὸ ἐνώπιον ἐκτελεῖσθαι ταῦτα τοῦ Θεοῦ· οὕτως γὰρ οἱ ὀφθαλμοὶ Κυρίου ἐπιβλέποντες ἁγιάζουσιν ἡμᾶς, ὡς ὁ ἥλιος θερμαίνει τὰ ὑπ' αὐτοῦ καταλαμπόμενα. Ἐνώπιον δὲ ταῦτα γίνεται Θεοῦ, ὅταν ἀτενῶς ἡ διάνοια ἐκείνῳ ἐνορᾷ, καὶ διὰ τὸ πρὸς αὐτὸν ὁρᾷν καὶ νηστεύῃ καὶ ψάλλῃ καὶ προσεύχηται.