completely indifferent are not comprised in the efficacy of
prayer. Hence prayer imploring for temporal goods is heard only inasmuch
as they relate to the salvation of souls._ Reason, as well as faith,
teaches us that God orders all His actions first for the promotion of
His glory, and secondly for the salvation of souls. Matters, therefore,
that are either in general, or on account of circumstances, positively
indifferent, must be excluded from the general plan of God's providence
when there is question of His positive agency, and not simply of His
permission. It is obvious that temporal goods, such as health, wealth,
etc., are classed with things indifferent, in as far as they are not
connected with the moral order.

Thus considered, the various goods of the temporal order do, or at least
may, under certain conditions, co-operate unto man's salvation, and then
they belong to the supernatural order. As such, the efficacy of prayer
in their regard must be judged according to the principles applying to
the latter.

3. _All those things which any one can obtain himself without
extraordinary effort, are not comprised within the scope of prayer._
This restriction results from the very nature of prayer. Obviously,
prayer is not the only means by which man can obtain those things which,
on the one hand, he momentarily does not possess, and which, on the
other hand, are necessary or advantageous for his supernatural life. As
a rule, man can, by labor and application, procure his sustenance.
Persons unable to work can have recourse to the charity of their
fellow-men, and will, as a rule, find the necessary assistance. In
regard to salvation, it must first be ascertained whether in many or at
least in some cases, the faithful co-operation with the graces which
God gives to all men is not sufficient.

Considered from this view, we may, and even must, in a certain sense
say: When there is question of attaining specified goods and specified
graces, prayer is often not the primary, but only the secondary and
subordinate means. From this premise follows that God in His wise
providence does not have regard for our prayer when we easily can help
ourselves, either by our own exertion and industry, or by the faithful
cooperation with graces already received, or by the reception of the
holy sacraments. This self-evident idea is expressed in Holy Scripture
as follows, "Because of the cold the sluggard would not plow; he shall
beg there