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t is  obvious  that  there  are  objects  to  attain which we  ought  not  to  pray. We shall  try to specify  them  as  follows:

1. We  may  not  pray  for  things  that  are  evil  or injurious  in  themselves,  or  injurious  on  account of  circumstances.  Amongst  these  are  comprised all those  that  are  opposed  to  the  salvation  of  the person praying,  or  of  some  one  else. It is  contrary to  the  very  idea  of  prayer  that  God  should grant to  His  creature  anything  evil,  anything  that is in  itself,  and  not  only  by  abuse,  harmful. Prayer, according  to  the  rules  of  morality,  must have for  its  object  only  the  attainment  of  whatever is  good  and  profitable,  and  only  then  is  it heard  by  God.

2. ''Things completely  indifferent  are  not  comprised  in  the efficacy  of  prayer. Hence prayer imploring  for  temporal  goods is  heard  only  inasmuch as  they  relate  to  the  salvation  of souls. '' Reason, as  well  as  faith,  teaches  us  that  God orders all  His  actions  first  for  the  promotion  of His  glory,  and  secondly  for  the  salvation  of  souls. Matters, therefore,  that  are  either  in  general,  or