Macarius of Egypt, speaks very clearly about this: “As in planting an orchard diligence and effort is exerted with the hope of receiving fruit--and if there is no fruit, all the effort will have been in vain. So in prayer, if you don’t find in yourself the spiritual fruits of love, peace, joy, etc., your effort will be useless. Therefore, the goal of our spiritual efforts should be consolation and sweetness in our hearts.”
