Scriptures, for they testify of things wonderful and above the strength of nature, which have been done by the power of prayer, by calling on the name of the Lord, who alone doth wonderful things.
Man. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am poor and needy, and like a little child who knows not his going out and his coming in; who has, indeed, hands and feet, but can go nowhere but by the help of his mother or his nurse. In vain I strive and labour in the sweat of my face to attempt anything great or small without thee, in whom we all live, move, and are; and are not able to think anything of ourselves as of ourselves, but all our sufficiency is from God.
Christ. Therefore, my son, if thou hast need of wisdom or of knowledge, ask of me, and it shall be given thee. In me are hid all the treasures of wisdom and of knowledge. Thou deceivest thyself if thou neglectest prayer, and thinkest that these may be acquired only by attention and by human skill. Hast thou not heard many of my servants frankly acknowledge that they have advanced more by prayer than by much reading and study? Dost thou desire riches and honours? The whole world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Mine is counsel, and prudence, and might. By me kings reign; mine are riches and honour, wealth and justice. It is I, the Lord, who raise the poor out of the dust. It is easy for me in a moment to make the poor honourable, and to place the lowly among the princes of his people. Dost thou desire strength, health, or length of days? Know that nothing is done on earth without cause, and that pain springs not from the ground. It is I who command the sea, the wind, and the elements; and forthwith all obey me. I kill, and I make alive; I strike, and I heal. In my hand are all the ends of the earth, and in my power are all things, good and evil, life and death, and all that men can desire. In vain wilt thou seek these things elsewhere, if first thou seek not me.
§ 2. Preparation for prayer by the affections of humility, and penitence or contrition.
Man. Truly every good and every perfect gift is from above, from thee, Father most good, who givest bountifully to all; and art so ready to give, that thou desirest, nay, commandest, us to ask.
My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready to speak to thee often, and to pour forth my prayer before thee.
But what is man that thou magnifiest him, and so lovingly invitest him to pray to, or rather converse with, thee? Shall I appear before thee.
