Extracts from the Dux Spiritualis by the Venerable Louis de Ponte SJ
Page 160: Among all the various methods and forms of prayer and communion with God, the most celebrated are those recommended by the Apostle [Paul] to Timothy saying: "I desire therefore, first of all, that SUPPLICATIONS, PRAYERS, INTERCESSIONS, and THANKSGIVINGS be made for all men: for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth [1 Tim. ii, 1-4]
The 1st method is by way of glorifying and praising God: this is called by excellence PRAYER, inasmuch as by it we raise our minds to glorify God for his wonders and perfections.
The 2nd method is by way of THANKSGIVING for benefits received from Him.
The 3rd, by PETITIONS for fresh gifts.
The 4th, which is called SUPPLICATIONS, adds to our requests [page 161] the reasons and claims we may put forward in order to obtain what we ask.
... all these methods of prayer are very perfect, since they proceed from a deep spirit of charity and so fulfil very exactly what the law of God has imposed on us.
It is good practice to observe this rule, beginning with the praise of God and gratitude for His benefits and then making known our necessities and confessing our sins with great sorrow: lastly we may put up our petitions for a remedy for all our miseries.
St Basil says that the best manner of treating with God in prayers is to:
begin with his praise, glorifying Him with profound humility and reverence;
and to continue with petitions for graces and benefits, as if to protest that we come to prayer not so much for our own advantage as for the glory [page 162] of God: that we are drawn rather by the duty of gratitude than by the sight of our necessities.
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