St. Augustine, How Should We Receive God’s Gifts?
Question 53 How can we receive what God bestows graciously? The faith-filled man begins to treat this world with indifference. Suddenly he is not lifted up when prosperity comes his way, nor is he crushed under adversity, but he learns to praise God in all things…We should receive it all with God’s praise in our mouths, regardless of the nature of the gift, because we praise the Giver, not the gift. from St. Augustine Answers [...]
St. Augustine, How Can We Have God More Readily Answer Our Prayers?
Question 52 What makes our prayer of petition more efficacious? “By fasting, long watches, and every type of mortification of the body, prayer is supported (Tob. 12:8).” Each should do what she can… The one who can accomplish less should not hold the others back. The one who can accomplish more should not lord it over those who cannot… strive in prayer to be victorious in overcoming this world. Pray with hope, pray with faith and [...]
St. Augustine, Are Those Who Do Not Pray Condemned?
Question 51 What about those who do not know to pray for themselves? Are they lost? There are gifts that God gives even to those who do not pray, such as the birth of faith. And there are gifts that God gives only to those who pray, such as final perseverance. from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger Man is a religious being, homo religiosus, created as imago Dei. He has the Law [...]