Chapter 4.4 Of the twofold preparation for prayer - the remote preparation

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

Chapter 4.4 Of the twofold preparation for prayer - the remote preparation 

The remote preparation or disposition is to regulate our lives well throughout the whole course of the day, learning the craft and subtlety of our spiritual enemies to be ever on our guard. 

For if the Devil, as we said above [Chapter 3], directs all his temptations the whole length of the day to this one end, that he may hinder thee from prayer or prevent thee from reaping its fruits; so ought thou to direct thy endeavours to obtaining the victory and gathering the fruit of thy prayer. 

This will lead thee to practise temperance in refection, that thy body may not impede thy spirit in prayer; thou wilt endeavour sedulously to guard thy heart and thy senses, lest they rob thee of thy peace; ever mortifying, as Cassian [Coll. 9 c. 2, 3; 10, c. 13] says, whatever can disturb thee in time of prayer: striving ever to make thyself out of prayer what thou wouldst be in it, contending with the four (4) impediments noted in the previous chapter [viz demons, interior enemies, sins & passions and superfluous cares and distractions]. 

For if during the day thou give rein to them, when the hour of prayer is come they will be out of control.