rayers are mixed with worldly
thoughts: therefore says the Psalm "Be still, and see that I am GOD."
This ought to stir us up to pray with great dread and consideration for
we speak with Almighty-GOD, when we are naught but unworthy wretches.
For so did Abraham, GOD'S private friend, who said:--"I speak to my Lord
which am but dust and ashes." And Isidore says:--"we ought to pray with
sighings and tears, and remembrance of our grimly sins, and of the many
pains and bitter we shall endure for them, unless we amend us, and He
have pity on us." Also, he who prays shall hope to speed well in that
for which he prays; for Christ Himself said, "All things are possible to
the believing": therefore we shall pray to GOD as to our Father in that
for which we pray, if we love Him as our Father, and be His children.
For He says to all His.... He says[6] "Whatsoever ye shall ask the
Father in My Name, He shall give it to you." There are six things to
know in prayer: first, how a man shall prepare himself before. The
second, to whom he shall pray: the third, for whom he shall pray: the
fourth, what he shall ask in prayer: the fifth, what hinders prayer: the
sixth, what might and virtue prayer is of. The first is written already,
and begins at, "Before prayer, prepare thy soul," and lasts as far as
here. The second, to whom shalt thou pray? Soothly, before all others,
to GOD Almighty, as the prophet bids, "Be subject to GOD and pray to
Him." And in the Gospel, GOD says, "Thou shalt adore the Lord thy GOD."
Saints we honour and pray to, not as givers of goodness, but as GOD'S
friends to help us to win from Him that we pray after. Therefore, let us
believe in GOD with all our heart, and certain hope, and perfect
charity: our Lord GOD is to be loved. The third, for whom shall men
pray? A great clerk says, "Every Christian man is a living member of
Holy Church, therefore is he bound to pray for all, but specially for
men of Holy Church, as the Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, all who have cure
of men's souls: also for our foes and our friends; and all who are in
deadly sin, that they, through grace, may rise: for all who are in
Purgatory, whom GOD'S mercy awaits; and after, all who have occupations,
both quick and dead. And S. Gregory says that he who prays for all, the
sooner shall be heard and sped of his prayer: and S. Ambrose; "If thou
prayest for all, all will pray for thee." And S. Jerome; "Necessity
binds a man to pray for himself, but charit