Prayer is the counter poison of pride; the antidote to the passion of hatred; the best rule in making just laws; the best and most powerful means to govern aright; the standard and trophy in war; a stronghold for peace; the seal of virginity; the guard of nuptial fidelity; the safeguard of
travelers; the guardian angel during sleep; the source of fertility for the farmer; a safe harbor on the storms of this life; a city of refuge for criminals; the source of all true joy; the best friend and physician of the dying.
St. Ephrem, Tract. de Orat.
Further reading
The passage attributed to Ephrem gathers prayer’s meaning through images of shelter, labor, and human need. Hymns on Paradise offers a way to explore more of his richly poetic Christian imagination, in Sebastian Brock’s English translation; it is a companion to the imagery here, not a source identified for this excerpt.
Hymns on Paradise by St. Ephrem the Syrian, translated by Sebastian Brock (paperback) on Amazon (paid link)