Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/41

 miracles, we  may,  logically,  expect  them;  for miracles in  general  are  not  excluded  from  the  plan of divine  Providence. They are  rather  an  essential part  of  the  existing  order  of  God's  government of  the  world. At most  we  may  say:  As miracles  of  their  nature  belong  among  the  extraordinary manifestations  of  Providence,  they are not  obtained  by  the  prayer  of  each  and  every one, but  only  in  exceptional  cases.

However, if  we  consider  how  feeble  and  helpless man's  nature  is,  even  with  the  assistance  of divine  grace,  we  may  not  apply  the  above  principles too  strictly. This, for  the  following  reason: Cases in  which  we  can  not  help  ourselves  with the aid  of  the  grace  given  us  are  rare. Therefore God gives  us,  in  reward  of  our  confident  prayer, not only  that  which  is  strictly  necessary,  but  also that which  is  profitable  and  conducive  to  our  welfare. This being  so,  the  logical  deduction  is,  that God is  willing  to  hear  our  prayer  not  only  when we, of  ourselves,  are  totally  incapable  of  helping ourselves, but  also  when  great  difficulties  beset us in  this  our  self-help. Hence, in  a  certain  sense, we may  maintain  that  in  the  work  of  our  salvation prayer  and  its  efficacy  must  be  considered, together with  the  sacraments,  as  one  of  the  chief means, and  not  as  a  mere  accessory.

This limitation  of  the  main  principle  is  founded on the  generality  of  the  divine  promises  concern-