Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/320

 in  the  presence  of  God,  and,  in  all  his  actions,  have no other  object  in  view  but  that  of  promoting  the divine honour." — St.  C.  Borromeo.

HE Lord’s  prayer  consists  of  a preamble  or  preface, and  seven  petitions; seven  being  a mysterious or mystical  number  in  the  sacred  writings: it  is  the most dignified  and  perfect  of  all  prayers,  and  excels every other  for  six  principal  reasons: viz.,  by  reason,

ALMIGHTY Lord,  maker  of  heaven  and  earth, infinite in  Majesty,  is  it  possible  that  thy  love  and goodness for  us  should  be  so  great,  as  to  suffer  so poor  worms  as  we  are  to  call  thee  Father? O make us ever  dutiful  children  to  such  a parent! O my soul, ever  remember  this  dignity  to  which  thou  art raised, of  being  a child  of  God: and  see  thou  never degenerate by  making  thyself  a slave  to  sin  and  the devil. O most holy  Father,  who  dwellest  in  heaven and heavenly  souls,  raise  my  heart  to  thee; and  teach me, by  thy  interior  grace,  to  pray  to  thee  this  day with due  attention,  devotion,  humility,  and  faith.