Chapter 3 Section 3 – How prayer wrestles with our interior enemies

 

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

Chapter 3 Section 3– How prayer wrestles with our interior enemies

 

Although this conflict [viz with the Devil] is so strong, yet there is one still more deadly, because domestic; on it the evil spirits place all their hopes. For it takes place within our soul, which is the house wherein prayer is exercised; in this house are found four (4) of the chief interior enemies which persecute prayer. They are denominated by St Bernard [Serm. 23 in Cant. ad finem]:

1.     remorse for sins past

2.     ill-regulated passions

3.     dissipation of mind

4.     and superfluous cares

From these four (4) are formed that dark and murky cloud of which Jeremiah says: Thou hast set a cloud before thee, that our prayers may not pass through. [Lam iii, 4]

Page 52 – Should thou find thyself in such a miserable case as this, do not lose heart or doubt the possibility of escape.

God has imparted such efficacy to prayer that by its importunate supplications even such clouds and mists can be dispelled and the house of thy heart tranquilised.

If thou art resolved to give thyself to prayer, tell thyself that the Lord our God exhorts thee to remove these four (4) impediments, saying by the mouth of Jeremias: Lo I have set this day to root up and to pull down, and to waste and to destroy, and to build and to plant; [Jer. I, 10] as if to say:

          If thou are determined to build the house of recollected prayer and to plant the grove of lofty thoughts and fruitful labours, study first to remove these obstacles:

1.     Destroy the sins which give thee remorse;

2.     Pluck out the passions and desires which disturb thee;

3.     Cast away superfluous cares by which thou art pricked;

4.     And Root out the vain fancies which cause thee so much distraction.

 

Lofty indeed is the house of prayer and contemplation which thou thinkest to build; neither labour not strength must be spared in the business.

Prayer itself will obtain for thee all thou needest and will combat those foes until thou hast obtained complete victory over them.