Augustine of Hippo

And if in labor we faint, let us implore help. He helps the one fighting, who started the contest. For God does not watch you fighting as the people watch the charioteer; he does not want to shout, he does not know how to help. God does not watch you fighting as the trainer watches the athlete; he prepares a wreath of straw, but does not know how to supply strength to the laborer, nor can he; for he is a man, not God. And perhaps while he watches, he labors more by sitting than the other by wrestling. For God, when he watches his fighters, helps those who are called upon. For the voice of his athlete is in the Psalm: "If I said: My foot is moved, your mercy, Lord, helped me." Therefore let us not be lazy, my brothers, let us ask, seek, knock. "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."