'This people honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me' (Matt. xv. 8).
12. Are all the distractions in prayer sinful?
They are sinful when we ourselves are the cause of them, or wilfully admit or entertain them; but when we struggle against them, they increase our merit.
13. What should we do in order that we may be less distracted in our prayers?
Before our prayers we should, as far as possible, banish all worldly thoughts, and represent the Omnipresent God in a lively manner to our mind.
'Before prayer prepare thy soul, and be not as a man that tempteth God' (Ecclus. xviii. 23).
14. When do we pray ' with humility '?
When we address our prayers to God with a sincere acknowledgment of our weakness and unworthiness.
'The prayer of him that humbleth himself shall pierce the clouds' (Ecclus. XXXV. 21). — The Pharisee and the Publican (Luke xviii.).
15. When do we pray ' with confidence '?
When we firmly hope that God will hear our prayer, inasmuch as it is conducive to His honor and to our salvation.
'Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering; for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, which is moved and carried about by the wind. Therefore let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord' (James i. 6, 7).
16. Why may and ought we to have this firm hope?
Because God can give us all good things, and, for the sake of Jesus, will also really do so, as our Saviour Himself solemnly assures us, saying: 'Amen, amen I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in my name, He will give it to you ' (John xvi. 23; comp. Mark xi. 23, 24).
17. But why do we not always receive what we ask for?
1. Either because we do not pray as we ought; or
