St. Augustine, Is There Anything We Can Do On Our Own?
Question 024. Do we really have to pray for God’s grace? Can’t we make it on our own? Give to me what you command of me, and demand of me whatever you want… When the Lord tells us “convert to me and I will convert to you”, what else is he saying than: ‘do what I command you’? And when we say to the Lord: ‘turn to us, Lord, and we will turn to you,’ [...]
St. Augustine, What is the Synergism between Prayer and Grace?
Question 023. What is more important, prayer or grace? God has desired that in spiritual combat we might fight with prayers than with our own strength… God does not command the impossible, but when he commands, he orders you to do what you can and to ask for what you cannot do on your own in order that he help you to do what you cannot accomplish on your own… Join yourself to the eternity [...]
St. Augustine, How Should the Converted Live Their Lives?
Question 022. What is the relationship between prayer and conversion? Part V: Counsels for the Converted For living among things human, we cannot withdraw from things human. We must live among evil men with forbearance, because when we used to be evil men, the good men lived with forbearance among us. If we do not forget what we have been, we will not despair of those who are not what we once were. from St. [...]