St. Augustine, How Does Prayer Work With Predestination?
Question 027.
How does our prayer play a part in predestination?
It is precisely by our prayer that [God] wants to remind us from whom we receive such benefits. For from whom do we receive but from him who it is fitting to ask… [The Church] prays that the incredulous might believe; hence, God converts them to […]
St. Augustine, How Should One Pray for Unbelievers?
Question 026.
What about non-believers?
For God, who has fulfilled all that he predestines, wants us to pray for the enemies of the faith, too, so that we would in turn see that it is he who gives to the unbelievers, too, the gift of faith. And it is he who makes men who formerly were unwilling, to become men who do will it.
St. Augustine, Can Our Prayers Obtain Graces for Others?
Question 025.
St. Augustine speaks of obtaining grace for oneself through prayer. Can we obtain grace for others through prayer? Is there a social element to prayer?
We pray for all the human race, for the entire world, for all people… We do so that they correct themselves and become pure of heart, turning to God and his rectitude, and thus adhere to him…Let us […]
For Easter Sunday
Christ Appearing to His Mother, Juan de Flandes, 1500-1504
For Holy Saturday
Le Christ aux limbes, Unknown
St. Augustine, Is There Anything We Can Do On Our Own?
Question 024.
Do we really have to pray for God’s grace? Can’t we make it on our own?
Give to me what you command of me, and demand of me whatever you want… When the Lord tells us “convert to me and I will convert to you”, what else is he saying than: ‘do what I command you’? And when we […]
St. Augustine, What is the Synergism between Prayer and Grace?
Question 023.
What is more important, prayer or grace?
God has desired that in spiritual combat we might fight with prayers than with our own strength… God does not command the impossible, but when he commands, he orders you to do what you can and to ask for what you cannot do on your own in order that he help you to do what you […]