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 [...]
St. Augustine, Doesn’t God Already Know What We Need?
Question 50 Is prayer of petition necessary if before we ask of him, he knows what we need? It is not that he discovers what our wishes are, for it cannot be unknown to him - but through our prayers, the petitions made in us bring about the proper dispositions of desire with which we ought to receive whatever he grants us… Even when he gives slowly, it is to show us the value of [...]