Chapter 9 - How to practise exterior adoration and reverence in prayer

 From the Dux Spiritualis by the Venerable Louis de Ponte SJ

Chapter 9 - How to practise exterior adoration and reverence in prayer 

Page 133 - Although God our Lord ought chiefly to be adored in spirit and in truth, yet he desires us to manifest these also in our exterior behaviour, so as to render perfect that act of religion which we call adoration; by which we offer to God the homage not only of  our spirit, but of our body as well, in testimony of His infinite excellence. 

This reverence of body is itself a great help to recollection and fervour in prayer. 

St Augustine tells us that such gestures as kneeling down, extending the arms, prostrations and other such acts of humility are not performed in order to manifest to God the feelings of our heart, since all lies open before Him; but rather to move it to pray with greater humility and fervour; for the affection of heart from which such acts proceed is itself increased by their performance. 

Section 2 - page 137

In vocal prayer the words should not be pronounced too hastily but with gravity. 

Page 139

Prayers: 

Fortitude of the Eternal Father, who camest into this world to send fire which ever burns and ascends on high, send upon me that fire which shall have such power to raise my spirit to heaven that my body will serve without lassitude.

Most strong Redeemer, who did stretch out Thy hands in prayer upon the Cross, and had nothing else to sustain them but two hard nails; so strengthen my hands by Thy grace that I may hold them erect in prayer, and, gazing upon Thy illustrious example, may never give over for weariness. 

Then will thy prayer be pleasing to the Eternal Father, in whose power thou shalt overcome all the evil spirits, because God will fulfil all thy desires to His eternal glory. Amen.