Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/284

 obtain mercy,  and  find  grace  in  seasonable  aid."  (Heb. iv.  16.)

I. Consider  more  in  particular  the  benefits  and  efficacy of this  holy  exercise. St. Jerome  says  of  it,  "it  overcomes the  invincible,  and  bindeth  down  the  Almighty;" that is,  it  interests  His  mercy  in  our  behalf,  and  ties down the  hands  of  His  justice  from  punishing  us. " Let  Me  alone,"  said  God  to  Moses,  when  he  was praying for  the  people,  "that  My  wrath  may  be  kindled against  them." (Exod. xxxii.  10.)  Prayer  is  a  general resource against  all  difficulties  and  temptations,  and  as St. Prosper says,  "  is  a  scourge,  to  the  devil." Moses, by lifting  up  his  hands  in  prayer,  obtained  victory for the  children  of  Israel  over  the  Amalecites. (Exod. xvii. 11.)  Josue  by  his  prayers,  obtained  from  God,  that the day  should  be  lengthened,  by  making  the  sun  and moon appear  to  stand  still,  "  the  Lord  obeying  the  voice of  man." (Jos. x.  14.)  With  how  much  more  reason  may we hope  for  spiritual  blessings,  when  we  fervently  pray for them!

II. " Prayer,"  says  St.  Augustine,  "  is  the  key  of heaven,"  because  it  procures  for  us  every  heavenly blessing. By it  we  receive  the  spirit  of  God;  for Christ says,  "  Your  Father  from  heaven  will  give the  good  spirit  to  them  that  ask  Him." (Luke xi. 13.)  Prayer  increases  sanctifying  grace,  and  procures us more  frequent  supplies  of  actual  grace. It strengthens our  virtues,  and  every  supernatural  gift. Our faith, besides, in  this  holy  exercise  is  enlivened,  our  hopes  are invigorated, and  our  charity  inflamed. For in  prayer