Inflame my coldness with the fire of thy love, that my prayer may be directed as incense in thy sight. Let it not creep on the ground, pressed down with the weight of sin or the flesh, but let it ascend to thee quickly, and let thy mercy descend upon me.
CHAPTER II.
VARIOUS EXPOSITIONS OF, AND EXERCISES UPON, THE LORD’S PRAYER.
The form, and model, and sum of all prayers is the Lord’s Prayer, which is to be the more highly esteemed, in proportion to the many excellences in which it surpasses all others.
First of all, in authority and in dignity; for it was composed by Christ himself, and came forth from his sacred mouth.
Secondly, it recommends itself by being short and easy, yet abounding in meanings, and mysteries, so wonderfully and perfectly disposed, as to comprehend whatever can be lawfully asked of God.
Besides, it is peculiarly efficacious in easily exciting the mercy of God, and disposing him favourably towards the suppliant. For how can our heavenly Father refuse to listen to those whom he sees coming to supplicate him, prepared with the precepts and words of his beloved Son, our Mediator and Advocate? Lastly, it briefly, but clearly, expresses all the parts, terms, and conditions of good prayer; so that when earnestly and attentively said, it forcibly arouses and keeps in exercise the spirit of devotion.
As, then, this prayer, which was delivered to the Apostles from the mouth of our Saviour Christ, ought to be highly regarded by Christians, and is so frequently and familiarly used by ecclesiastics in the Divine office, I have subjoined a few points out of St. Thomas and others for its exposition, from occasional reflection upon which may possibly arise a greater relish and profit from the frequent repetition of the same prayer.
For, in fact, the reason why we but too seldom relish the taste of this, as well as of other spiritual things, is because we are commonly occupied with the outer shell, but seldom or never penetrate to the kernel within.
