Chapter 2 Section 6.2 – Of the necessity of prayer - 11 powers of prayer

 

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

Chapter 2 Section 6.2 – Of the necessity of prayer - 11 powers of prayer 

 

Page 41 – Great, indeed, says St Laurence Justinian, is the power of prayer which:

1.     contents God

2.     penetrates Heaven

3.     obtains what it demands

4.     terrifies demons

5.     vanquishes enemies

6.     renews energy

7.     strengthens the mind

8.     unites the soul with God

9.     generates devotion and consolation

10. recalls dissipated thoughts

11. and makes us delight to dwell in our own souls:

I would even say that without prayer eternal salvation is beyond our reach.

Chapter 2 Section 6.1 – Of the necessity of prayer - the need for Grace

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

Chapter 2 Section 6.1 – Of the necessity of prayer

 

Has not Christ our Lord said that we ought always to pray and never faint? [St Luke xviii, 1].

For if prayer faints also, and we lose the very life of grace, then all blessings of which we have spoken faint also, and we lose the very life of grace which depends on them.

As a body without a soul is but a disfigured corpse, foetid and the pray of worms: so, says S. Chrysostom, [Lib de orando Deum] will the soul which despises prayer die to the life of grace and become disfigured by vie, foetid by bad example, and devoured by remorse of conscience

Chapter 2 Section 6 – Of the necessity of prayer - to protect us from falling into sin

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

Chapter 2 Section 6 – Of the necessity of prayer

 

From all that has been said it may be inferred how necessary prayer is to preserve the life of the soul and deliver us from the evils and enemies that would destroy it.

St Thomas [S. Th. II-II, Q. lxxxiii, art 3, ad 2] teaches that it is a precept as much natural as divine, and that if we do not pray when we feel ourselves in danger of falling into sin, we incur fresh guilt: that is, when we see ourselves about to fall unless God hold out his sustaining hand.

Chapter 2 Section 5.2 – BUT DELIVER US from evil

 

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

Chapter 2 Section 5.2 – BUT DELIVER US from evil

Lastly, prayer delivers us from evil and from guilt and punishment both eternal and temporal in such degrees as is expedient; that being freed from temporal evils we may escape those that are spiritual.

Even Christ our Lord Himself healed the sick, cast out demons, and raised the dead by Prayer, not because he had need of prayer to work these miracles but because, says S. Ambrose [Lib. 5 in Lc], we have need of it and he would give this example.

If thou art sick and afflicted, do not despair but pray: for prayer expels sadness and frees from all affliction.

Should thou see thyself at the very gate of Hell, do not leave off praying: for prayer will stand before thee to close its cruel mouth, lest it devour thee and thou perish [S. Bonaventura in medit. Vitae Christi, c. 36].

Know this, that in whatever calamity or misery thou art plunged, prayer is an omnipotent means of extricating thee from evil and enriching thee with all blessings.

Cry out then, and implore, the [page 39] Divine Omnipotence, to show His accustomed mercy. Moreover, did not David say: Blessed be God, who hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me [Ps. lxv, 20]; giving us to understand, as S. Augustine very well explains this verse, that prayer and the Divine mercy have entered into a compact never to separate the one from the other.

Prayer:

O Father of mercies bestow on me the gift of prayer, which is so certain a means of turning upon us the flood of Divine mercy.

Never, never deprive me of the power to pray, lest Thy mercy forsake me also!

For I am certain that if prayer accompanies me everywhere, Thy mercy will always be my protection and I shall be delivered from every evil.

 

Chapter 2 Section 5.1 – AND LEAD US NOT into temptation

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

Chapter 2 Section 5.1 – AND LEAD US NOT into temptation

 

What shall I say about the power of prayer to overcome the temptations which surround us on every side?

For it triumphs over:

1.     the suggestions of the Devil,

2.     the persecutions of the world

3.     and the passions of the flesh.

As often, says St Isadore, as thou feel thyself endangered by temptations to vice, have recourse to prayer which is the unique remedy against them.

Moreover, did not our Saviour say to his Apostles: Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation? [St Matthew xxvi, 41].

Prayer has the power to obtain 12 legions of Angels [cf St Matthew xxvi, 53] who will fight for thee against the evil spirits. What say I? Angels? The Lord of Angels Himself will come to our assistance; for he so loves prayer that wherever it is made he is straightaway present to deliver him who prays: because he asks and knocks

Chapter 2 Section 5 – FORGIVE US our trespasses

 

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

Chapter 2  Section 5 – FORGIVE US our trespasses

 

Page 37: ….prayer is all-powerful to obtain the forgiveness of our sins, no matter how numerous or grave they may be.

What justified the publican but the prayer he offered in the temple? [cf. St Luke xviii, 13]. What but prayer softened the heart of the father to receive back on such easy terms the prodigal son? [cf. St Luke xv, 21].

Oh infinite power of prayer! In comparison with which any number of sins is little and their gravity light, for it can obtain the remission of any debt, were it even infinite.

And because Christ Our Lord has attached to the forgiveness of sin this condition, that we also forgive the debts of others: this prayer itself fulfils this condition.

For it softens the heart, however hardened, of him who makes it, inducing him to [page 38] pray for his enemies and to forgive them as he himself hopes to be forgiven.

The furnace of prayer is like an immense fire; if thou enter into it, though thou be as hard as iron and as cold as ice, thou shalt come forth soft as wax.

 

 

Chapter 2 Section 4.1 – GIVE US this day our daily bread

 

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

Chapter 2  Section 4.1 – GIVE US this day our daily bread

 

Page 34: If thy prayer is perfect, it will impel thee to do the divine will on earth as it is in heaven; it will give thee wings so that thou shalt feel no labour in obeying the Divine precepts: this is one of the greatest benefits of prayer.

….but thou, if thou desire the lot of children of God, will dig … in the mine of prayer, in which thou shalt find treasure which nothing can take …but thou, if thou desire the lot of the children of God, will dig in the mine of prayer, in which thou shalt find treasure which nothing can away or spoil; and, moreover, thou shalt enjoy it without anxiety because by means of prayer, thy will shall become one with the will of God, and shall, therefore, always be fulfilled.