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at last rewarded, for "Jesus answering, said to her: O woman, great is thy faith; be it done to thee as thou wilt. And her daughter w^as cured from that hour" (Matt. xv. 21-28). If we also persevere in prayer as she did, we also shall be favorably heard by God in His own good time.

A lack of perseverance in prayer argues a lack of earnest desire. God, by deferring to hear us, does not refuse our prayers, but will even grant us far more than we ask. Speaking on this subject, St. Jerome says: "God, knowing the weight and measure of His goodness, sometimes appears insensible to our prayers, in order to try us, to urge us to pray more earnestly, and to make us more holy through constant prayer."[1]

2. Vocal Prayer as Distinct from Mental Prayer

Ejaculations - Indulgenced Prayers

In regard to vocal prayer, as distinct from mental prayer. Father Girardey writes: [2] Although in itself vocal prayer is not so excellent as mental prayer, we should, never-

  1. From "Popular Instructions on Prayer," by Rev. Ferreol Girardey, C.SS.R.
  2. Vide " Popular Instructions on Prayer."