The Egyptians Pray All Day at Their Work

For among the Egyptians these offices, which we are taught to render to the Lord at separate hours and at intervals of time, with a reminder from the one who calls us together, are celebrated continuously through the whole day, along with their work, and that of their own free will. For they practice manual labor unceasingly in their cells in such a way that meditation on the Psalms and the rest of the Scriptures is never entirely left off. And since they mingle petitions and prayers with it at every moment, they spend the whole day in those offices which we celebrate at fixed times. [a]

So, apart from the evening office and the night office, they have no public services during the day, except on Saturday and Sunday, when they meet at the third hour for Holy Communion. For what is offered continuously is more than what is rendered at intervals of time, and a free gift is more acceptable than duties performed under the compulsion of a rule. That is why David rejoices somewhat exultantly when he says, “I will freely sacrifice to you,” and, “Let the freewill offerings of my mouth be pleasing to you, O Lord.”