II. PRAYER. RAYER is the elevation of the soul to God in entreaty for mercies, for the warding off of evils, and in thanksgiving for mercies already received. S. Augustine defines it as "the ascent of the mind from terrestrial to heavenly things." Prayer is either (a) vocal, or (b) mental. Vocal prayer is that in which words are used to express the needs of the soul. Mental prayer is that in which the soul stretches towards God, with groanings that cannot be uttered. Mental prayer is the most perfect, but it is also the most difficult kind of prayer. S. Theresa, one of the greatest masters of mental prayer, was for many years quite unable to attain to it. 2. Prayer may be made in any place. Daniel prayed in the lion's den, the three children in the furnace of fire, Hezekiah on his bed, S. Peter in the water, Jonah from the fish's belly. But though prayer may be made anywhere, it is better made in solitude. "I will allure her (the soul) and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her." Thus our blessed Lord retired into the wilderness to pray, and also to a mouutain apart; and as He practised retirement, so did He recommend it.e d 1 Tim. ii. 8. b Hos. ii. 14. S. Matt. iv. 1. S. Luke v. 16; S. Matt. xiv. 23; S. Mark vi. 46. e S. Matt. vi. 6. Prayer may be best made in a Church, for that is the House of God specially set apart for the purpose. "Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people." The purposes for which prayer should be made in God's House may be gathered from the consecration prayer of Solomon.b a с 3. Prayer may be made at any time, as praise is ever offered in heaven by those who rest not day and night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy,, &c." d Prayer however is best made at fixed times, morning, noon, and night; or at the seven canonical hours. From the earliest ages certain periods of the day have been set apart as stated times for prayer. David was accustomed to pray at morning, at evening, and at noonday."e Daniel also "kneeled on his knees three times a day." But David also said, "seven times a day do I praise Thee." The seven canonical hours will be spoken of more fully in the introduction to the offices for the hours. f 4. Morning prayer is of great excellence. "We must prevent the sun to give thee thanks, and at the day spring pray unto Thee." h Arise, cry out in the night; in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord; lift up thy hands toward Him." "Let us a Isai. lvi. 7; S. Matt. xxi. 13. b2 Chron. vi. 12-42. CS. Luke xviii. 1; 1 Thes. v. 17. d Rev. iv. 8. e Ps. lv. 17.. f Dan. vi. 10. Ps. cxix. 164. h Wis. xvi. 28. Lam. ii. 19. get up early to the vineyard," says the bride; "let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth; "a that is, the soul declares that she will rise early to the vineyard of her spiritual cultivation, and examine whether the grace of God flourishes, virtues blossom, and good works abound. See Christ's example. b Noon prayer is advisable as a recollection of the soul and mind from the distractions of the day's business. For as Isaiah says "we stumble at noonday as in the night," and "the sickness destroyeth at the noon-day."d It is at noon that "the flock of Christ are made to rest," at noon the great light fell from heaven and converted Saul, wherefore we are bidden by Jeremiah, "Arise let us go (in prayer to heaven) at noon." с Evening prayer is of exceeding profit. For the night with all its perils approaches, and we know not whether we shall awake on the morrow. The Jews were ordered by Moses to wash with water that they might be clean, at the going down of the sun, how much rather should the Christian then cleanse his conscience from the pollution of sin contracted during the day. "In the morning," says the Preacher, "sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand," and the best seed is Cant. vii. 12. 1.7. Acts xxii. 6. ¿Eccl. xi. 6. S. Mark i. 35. Is. lix. 10. d Ps. xci. 6. Cant. a that of prayer. It was in the evening that the hand of the Lord rested on Ezekiel, that Christ was alone for the most intimate converse with the twelve, that He came after the resurrection to His apostles, and that He went in to the disciples at Emmaus.d As Goliath defied Israel morning and evening, so does Satan approach at these times to assault us, therefore “in the morning, and evening, and at noon-day will I pray, and that instantly; and He shall hear my voice." e 5. Prayer need not be long. God does not desire "much speaking," but earnest, well-chosen utterances. The publican was justified by seven words, the penitent thief gained Paradise by a prayer of nine. The same words may be repeated again and again. Thus David repeats "For His mercy endureth for ever" twenty seven times in one Psalm (cxxxvi), and in the last Psalm attributes praise to God eleven times in succession. Thus the importunate widow continued to repeat, "Avenge me of mine adversary,"h and Christ in the garden repeated three times the same words, "Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me." i 6. Prayer to be efficacious must be (a) recollected, (b) detached, (c) earnest, (d) definite, (e) persevering. (a) By Recollected is meant that all the powers of the mind should be called in and concentrated on Him to whom prayer is made. S. Peter toiled all night in his vessel and caught nothing till Jesus entered it. So in the work of prayer Christ must be present. And this presence is secured by endeavour to realize it. The mind in recollected prayer is fixed on God, the memory is engaged in calling up God's mercies, and the acts of Christ's passion. The understanding is directed to the comprehending of our necessities, or of whatever we are praying about. The will is exerted in desire to obtain what we ask for. (b) By Detached is meant the loosening of the affections from earth; recollection has to do with the intellectual faculties, detachment refers to the affections of the heart. When S. Peter had received Jesus into his boat, he thrust out a little from the land, and so must we, in prayer, disengage our desires from earth to fix them on heaven. (c) By Earnest is meant vehement desire to obtain what is asked for. "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by storm. The example of the Syrophoenician woman is one illustrating this truth. " a b (d) By Definite is meant that prayer should not be vague and uncertain as to its objects. Certain a S. Matt. xi. 12. S. Matt. xv. 22-28. |