Chapter 1 – Section 2 – Of a pure intention and of the oblation that should accompany prayer

 

Extracts from the Dux Spiritualis by the Venerable Louis de Ponte SJ

Chapter 1 – Section 2 – Of a pure intention and of the oblation that should accompany prayer

Page 9 – Having thus placed thyself in the presence of God, the second thing to be done is to purify thy intention, raising it above earthly, perishing and created things and above thyself, directing it purely to God Himself who leans upon the top of the ladder; seeking His glory and honour alone without admixture of any evil intention, rejecting as far as possible even those which are imperfect: because says the Wise man, the communication of God is with the simple, and every mocker is an abomination to the Lord [Proverbs iii,32], for he has mingled perverse intentions with this pious action.

Page 10 – In the first place then, thou must mortify every admixture of vanity, being mindful of how Christ Our Lord reproved the prayer of the Pharisees who loved to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets that they might be seen of men [St Matthew vi, 5].

The next intention to be mortified is curiosity or spiritual sensuality, or self-interest; for the summit of the ladder is not to be attained in order curiously to search into the hidden secrets of God, nor to enjoy consolations, nor yet to obtain from Him gifts and favours.

Ascend then straight to God, seeking Him alone [page 11] and beseeching Him to give Himself to thee, not for thine own advantage or consolation, but for His greater glory and because it pleases Him.

Then will He graciously accept thy prayers, and He will certainly grant what is asked with such an intention.

Heavenly Father, who dost grant the prayers of those who seek Thee, purify my present intention, that I may neither seek nor ask for aught save Thee and may desire Thy gifts only to use them in Thy service.

To this pure intention should be added some oblation remembering what God commanded in the Old Law: Thou shalt not appear empty before Me [Exod. Xxiii,15; xxxiv, 20; Ecclus. xxxv], that is, without any gift or oblation to offer Me. When, therefore, thou come into His presence, offer Him with simplicity all thy thoughts, the affections of Thy heart and the labours thy prayer will entail, either by fatigue, or infirmity of body, or by distractions, aridities and other spiritual trials; embracing every affliction which may come upon thee in this divine commerce, provided only that it proceed from no fault of thy own.

Page 12 - Prayer:

Eternal Father, I offer Thee this vessel of my heart to use just when and how it shall please Thee: replenish it with Thy divine gifts that I may pray with that spirit and fervour Thou desirest to see in me.

Amen.