prayer (the fourth weapon, mentioned in the beginning of this book), by means of which we may obtain from our Lord, not only the things already named, but all other good things.
For prayer is the means by which we obtain all the graces which rain down upon us from the Divine Fountain of Goodness and Love.
By prayer, if you use it aright, you will put a sword into the Hand of God, with which He will fight and conquer for you; and to use it aright, you must have formed, or be striving to form, the following habits.
First, you must cultivate an earnest desire to serve His Divine Majesty in all things, and in the way which is most pleasing to Him. In order to kindle this desire, consider diligently how worthy beyond expression God is, to be served and honoured, because of His wondrous excellences, His Goodness, Majesty, Wisdom, Beauty, and other infinite Perfections.
Consider, too, how to serve you He laboured and suffered for three and thirty years, binding and healing the putrefying sores, poisoned with the venom of sin, not with oil and wine and bandages, but with the precious Stream which flowed from His most Sacred Veins, and with His most pure Flesh, torn with scourges, thorns, and nails.
Think, moreover, of the great advantage of this
