Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/40

 whether in  many  or  at  least  in  some  cases,  the faithful co-operation  with  the  graces  which  God gives to  all  men  is  not  sufficient.

Considered from  this  view,  we  may,  and  even must, in  a  certain  sense  say:  When  there  is  question of  attaining  specified  goods  and  specified graces, prayer  is  often  not  the  primary,  but  only the secondary  and  subordinate  means. From this premise follows  that  God  in  His  wise  providence does not  have  regard  for  our  prayer  when  we easily  can  help  ourselves,  either  by  our  own exertion and  industry,  or  by  the  faithful  cooperation with  graces  already  received,  or  by  the reception of  the  holy  sacraments. This self-evident  idea  is  expressed  in  Holy  Scripture  as follows,  "Because  of  the  cold  the  sluggard  would not  plow;  he  shall  beg  therefore  in  the  summer, and  it  shall  not  be  given  him"  (Prov.  xx.  4). For this reason  formal  miracles  are,  as  a  rule,  not  to be  expected  from  the  efficacy  of  prayer. God ordained the  world  and  its  course  in  such  a  manner, that  mankind  in  general  and  each  individual in particular  can  be  provided,  without  the  intervention of  a  miracle,  with  all  things  necessary  for their temporal  and  eternal  welfare.

Theologians, therefore,  teach  that  to  ask  God for a  miracle,  generally,  is  the  same  as  to  tempt Him. This rule,  however,  admits  of  exceptions. And if  we  may,  in  exceptional  cases,  ask  for