Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/47

 (Luke xviii.  10-12). To determine  accurately what grade  of  devotion,  that  is,  what  degree  of attention,  humility,  and  piety  is  necessary  to render  prayer  from  a  formality  into  a  reality,  is possible  only  when  all  the  circumstances,  dispositions, and  qualities  of  mind  of  the  person  praying can  be  taken  into  account. Suffice it  to  remark that  when  all  the  other  conditions,  together with the  intention  of  praying,  combine,  strict  but reliable theologians  declare  that  the  true  essence of prayer  is  compatible  with  a  less  degree  of attention  and  recollection.

2. Confidence. — There is  no  doubt  but  that strong confidence,  or  the  firm  hope  of  being  heard, contributes much  to  the  perfection  of  prayer  and renders it  especially  effective. Therefore confidence, like  devotion  or  attention,  must  be  reckoned among the  essential  qualities  or  attributes  of prayer. For it  is  inconceivable  that  a  rational being should  resolve  on  presenting  a  petition  when he has  not  the  least  hope  of  its  being  granted. In this  case  his  petition  would  be  entirely  useless, and therefore  irrational. Again, it  is  inconceivable that  God  should  have  regard  for  a  prayer  or the  petition  of  a  man  who  has  absolutely  no  confidence in  His  mercy. A prayer  without  confidence is  hypocrisy,  rather  than  true  and  sincere supplication. If we  address  a  petition  to  God without the  confidence  that  He  can  and  will  grant