graces, which God hath prepared for us from all eternity, will be granted only to prayer. — St. Thomas. God wishes to give, but He gives only to those who ask. — St. Augustine. To prayer may be traced the beginning, the progress, and the perfection of all virtues. — St. Charles Borromeo. Who are we, or what is our strength, that we should be able to resist so many temptations? God certainly wished, that we, seeing that we are deficient, and that out of Him there is no assistance for us, should, with all humility, have recourse to His mercy. — St. Bernard.
EFFICACY OF PRAYER.
ASK, and it shall be given unto you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. — Matt. vii. 7. How much more will your Father, Who is in heaven, give good things to them that ask Him? — Ibid. vii. 1 1 . For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, flndeth. — Ibid. vii. 8. If you shall ask Me anything in My name, that will I do. — John xiv. 14. You shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you. — John xv. 7. Amen, Amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it you. — Ibid. xvi. 23. — I can do all things in Him Who strengtheneth me. — Phil. iv. 13. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon Him; to all that call upon Him in truth. He will do the will of them that fear Him, and He will hear their prayer and save them. — Ps. cxliv. 18, 19. By prayer is obtained the possession of every good, and deliverance from every evil. — St. Bonaventure.
CONDITIONS OF PRAYER.
THE most necessary conditions of prayer, are humility, confidence, and perseverance. — St. Liguori. He hath regard to the prayer of the humble. — Ps. ci. 18.
