Page:Withgodbookofpra00las.djvu/111

 It is  also  useful,  in  using  the  prayers  of  our prayer-book, to  read  them  slowly  and  deliberately, making  in  the  meantime  practical  reflections on  their  contents,  or  pausing  from time to  time  to  meditate  a  little  and  apply the words  of  the  prayers  to  our  own  wants. If we  accustom  ourselves  to  recite  our  vocal prayers in  this  way,  we  shall  not  only  make them our  own  and  pray  well,  but  we  shall also acquire  the  habit  of  making  mental prayer, which  tends  to  unite  us  more  closely to God,  and. through the  practical  imitation of our  divine  Saviour's  virtues,  to  render  us conformable  to  Him."

RAYER is  a  ladder  which  reaches  to heaven;  cling  firmly  to  it;  by  this means ascend  to  God. And if  at  times  weariness and  aridity  creep  over  you,  shake  off  this drowsiness and  say  to  yourself:  "I  have  not yet  reached  heaven;  one  unfortunate  moment  may  prove  my  eternal  perdition,  therefore I  must  pray."

Impressed with  this  truth,  you  will  be more  zealous  in  saying  your  morning  prayers, and throughout  the  day  will  more  frequently raise your  mind  to  God;  you  will  never  neglect