St. Augustine, How Does Faith Relate to Prayer?
Question 032. What is the relation between faith and prayer? If faith lacks, prayer dies. For who prays for that which he does not believe?... So that we might pray, let us believe. And that this faith by which we pray not fail, let us pray. Faith pours out prayer and the pouring out of prayer, in turn, obtains the strengthening of faith. from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger. [...]
A Message From Diadochus of Photike
Note: Diadochus of Photike does not mean 'Sing happy music to make the blues go away.' He means that in melancholy/discouragement, turn to the Pslams, which contain lamentations that look forward in hope. By joining one's personal distresses in with the distresses of the Pslams, the hope of the Psalms will become one's own personal joys. -- PPP
St. Augustine, How Is Sacrifice A Part of Prayer?
Question 031. What does sacrifice have to do with prayer? If the soul uses the body as an instrument or servant, thus becoming a sacrifice when used correctly and in reference to God, how much more must the soul, in turn, become a sacrifice when it offers itself to God, so that, aflame with the fire of God’s love, it might participate in his beauty and become pleasing to him? from St. Augustine Answers 101 [...]
St. Augustine, What Else Helps Me to Pray?
Question 030. It sounds as if humility is a prerequisite for prayer. Are there other virtues that prepare the way for effective prayer? Faith, hope, and love, therefore, lead the man of prayer to God. That is the man who believes, hopes, and desires is guided with regard to what he should ask the Lord by study of the Lord’s Prayer. from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger. The virtues [...]
St. Augustine, How Can I Ensure That God Hears My Prayers?
Question 029. How can I guarantee that God will hear my prayer? [God] does indeed bow down his ear, if you do not lift up your neck; for the Lord draws near to the humble man. But from the exalted man he distances himself, unless he himself has exalted that man for his humility. God then bows down his ear towards us. For he is on high, we below; he is in a high place, [...]