St. Augustine, How Is Sacrifice A Part of Prayer?
Question 031. What does sacrifice have to do with prayer? If the soul uses the body as an instrument or servant, thus becoming a sacrifice when used correctly and in reference to God, how much more must the soul, in turn, become a sacrifice when it offers itself to God, so that, aflame with the fire of God’s love, it might participate in his beauty and become pleasing to him? from St. Augustine Answers 101 [...]
St. Augustine, What Else Helps Me to Pray?
Question 030. It sounds as if humility is a prerequisite for prayer. Are there other virtues that prepare the way for effective prayer? Faith, hope, and love, therefore, lead the man of prayer to God. That is the man who believes, hopes, and desires is guided with regard to what he should ask the Lord by study of the Lord’s Prayer. from St. Augustine Answers 101 Questions on Prayer by Fr. Ermatinger. The virtues [...]
St. Augustine, How Can I Ensure That God Hears My Prayers?
Question 029. How can I guarantee that God will hear my prayer? [God] does indeed bow down his ear, if you do not lift up your neck; for the Lord draws near to the humble man. But from the exalted man he distances himself, unless he himself has exalted that man for his humility. God then bows down his ear towards us. For he is on high, we below; he is in a high place, [...]
St. Augustine, Are “The Elect” In Need of Prayer?
Question 028. Does this mean that Augustine counts himself among “the elect,” and therefore not in need of prayer? When you find me in these books, pray that I might not fail, but reach perfection. Pray, my son, pray…You would cheat me of great help if you were not to do so. But not only you, but anyone who by your witness should come to love me, let him pray for me, too. Read Sacred [...]