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Rh are, indeed, the two principal parts of prayer, the former being quite as necessary as the latter. In fact, if we are not grateful for God’s benefits, how may we expect that He will heed our petitions? The one, therefore, is indispensable to the other.

ET us with all confidence have recourse to prayer, being assured, as St. Bernard says, that “God will grant what we ask or something better.” In seeking the aid of men we often are disappointed, either because they are unable to give what we request, or because they are unwilling to help us. Not so with God, Who is both almighty and all good. Moreover, we have the solemn promise of Christ confirmed by His oath, that God is always ready to hear and answer us: “Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in My Name, He will give it you” (John xvi. 23). Our Lord is our advocate with the Father; hence when, with piety and perseverance, we ask for anything that is necessary for our salvation, it is impossible not to be heard. “Let us go, therefore, with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in seasonable aid” (Heb. iv. 16).