Page:Thecompleteascet01grimuoft.djvu/513

 I would  wish  that  all  men  loved  Thee.

Do not  permit  me  to  be  separated  from  Thee.

In Thee  I  place  all  my  confidence.

When shall  I  see  Thee  and  love  Thee  face  to  face.

Let all  that  I  do  and  suffer  be  done  and  suffered  for Thee. May Thy  holy  will  be  always  done!

The ancient  Fathers  set  great  value  on  all  these  short prayers, by  which  we  can  practise  the  presence  of  God more easily  than  by  long  prayers. And St.  John  Chrysostom  used  to  say,  that  he  that  makes  use  of  these  short prayers or  acts  shuts  the  door  against  the  devil,  and prevents him  from  coming  to  molest  him  with  bad thoughts.

At certain  special  times  it  is  necessary  more  particularly to  enliven  our  faith  in  the  divine  presence. First, in the  morning  when  we  awake,  by  saying:  My  God,  I believe  that  Thou  art  here  present,  and  that  Thou  wilt be present  with  me  in  every  place  to  which  I  shall  go this  day;  watch  over  me,  then,  in  all  places,  and  do  not permit me  to  offend  Thee  before  Thy  divine  eyes. Secondly, at  the  beginning  of  all  our  prayers,  whether mental or  vocal. The Venerable  Cardinal  Caracciolo, Bishop of  Avesa,  used  to  say,  that  he  that  makes  mental prayer  with  distractions,  shows  that  he  has  been negligent in  making  the  act  of  faith  in  the  presence  of God. Thirdly, on  occasion  of  any  temptation  against patience or  chastity;  for  example,  if  you  are  seized  with any sharp  pain,  or  receive  any  grievous  insult,  or  if  any scandalous object  be  presented  to  you,  instantly  arm yourself with  the  divine  presence,  and  excite  your  courage by  remembering  that  God  is  looking  at  you. It was thus that  David  prepared  himself  to  resist  temptations. My eyes  are  ever  towards  the  Lord;  for  he  shall  pluck  my  feet