Apostle says, that when the Lord is supplicated, He opens His hand and gives us more than we ask of Him. " Who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." Neither does He reprove us for the displeasure we have caused Him; for when we pray to Him, He seems to forget all the offences we have committed against Him.
S. John Climacus says, that prayer in a certain way forces God to grant us what we seek. " Prayer is a holy violence done to God." But it is a violence which is dear to Him, and desired by Him of us. " This violence is pleasing to God," as Tertullian wrote. Yes, because, as S. Augustine remarks, God " desires more to bestow His benefits than we desire to receive them." And the reason of this is, that God of His own nature is infinite goodness, as writes S. Leo; and therefore He desires most ardently to impart to us His blessings. Thence it is that S. Mary Magdalene of Pazzi says, that God is almost under an obligation to that soul which prays to Him, since in this manner the way is open to Him to gratify the desire which He has of bestowing His favours upon us. And David says that this kindness of the Lord, in listening directly to those who pray to Him, proved to him that He was his true God. " Whensoever I call upon Thee, then shall my enemies be put to flight: this I know; for God is on my side." (Ps. lvi. 9.) Some people unjustly complain, observes S. Bernard, that the Lord is failing them; much more justly might the Lord complain that many are failing Him, ceasing to come and seek His grace. " And it seems to have been exactly of this that the Redeemer one day complained to His disciples, " Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My Name; ask, and ye shall receive." (S. John xvi. 24.) Do not complain of Me. He seems to have said, if you have not been fully happy, complain of yourselves for not having asked Me for My favours; from henceforth ask Me for them and you shall be satisfied.
From this the monks of old concluded, in their conferences, that there was no exercise more profitable to the salvation of their souls than ever to be praying, and saying, " Lord, help me." The venerable Father Paul Segneri said of himself, that in his meditations he at first cultivated emotion; but afterwards, knowing the great efficacy of prayer, he tried as much as he
