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148 number, and when I knew not, hast rescued me out of the hands of my enemies; help me now, and, forgetting all my past rebellion and ingratitude, deny me not my request."

And if you are asking for a particular virtue, and in the midst of the very act of prayer you are tempted by the contrary vice, forget not to thank God for giving you such an opportunity of practising the virtue you are praying for, and regard it as a special favour on His part.

Sixthly, as the force and efficacy of prayer in bending God to our desires are due to the Bounty and Goodness of His own Nature, to the merits of the Life and Passion of His Only-begotten Son, and to His gracious promise to hear us, we should always conclude our prayer with one or more of the following sentences:—

"Of Thy great Mercy, O Lord, grant me this grace." "May the merits of Thy Son obtain for me that which I ask of Thee." "My God, be mindful of Thy promises, and hear my prayer."

And at other times we may also ask for graces through the prayers of the Blessed Virgin and other Saints, who have great power before God, in that He is pleased to honour them now, who honoured His Divine Majesty during their sojourn on earth.