Thursday 25 February 2021

Chapter 3 Section 2– How prayer wrestles with the demons

 

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

Chapter 3 Section 2– How prayer wrestles with the demons

 

Page 49 – The more fervent the Devil see us in prayer, says St Bernard, [Sermo 4 de Quad.] the greater his energy in opposing hindrances.

For this reason some of the Holy Fathers tell us that the more excellent our prayer, the greater the difficulty shall we find in it: for all hell seems to conspire against it. Nor is this anything strange, for great undertakings are wont to present great difficulties. But if cowards are terrified by the difficulty, the strong are spurred on by the greatness.

Both classes need generosity of soul and the necessity of prayer is a strong stimulus to urge us on in this practice.

The very solicitude and effort with which the evil spirits strive to hinder it sufficiently shows how important they deem it, and ought to encourage us the more firmly to resist them and to continue the combat till we overcome.

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