fore in the summer, and it shall not be given him" (_Prov._ xx.
4). For this reason formal miracles are, as a rule, not to be expected
from the efficacy of prayer. God ordained the world and its course in
such a manner, that mankind in general and each individual in particular
can be provided, without the intervention of a miracle, with all things
necessary for their temporal and eternal welfare.

Theologians, therefore, teach that to ask God for a miracle, generally,
is the same as to tempt Him. This rule, however, admits of exceptions.
And if we may, in exceptional cases, ask for miracles, we may,
logically, expect them; for miracles in general are not excluded from
the plan of divine Providence. They are rather an essential part of the
existing order of God's government of the world. At most we may say: As
miracles of their nature belong among the extraordinary manifestations
of Providence, they are not obtained by the prayer of each and every
one, but only in exceptional cases.

However, if we consider how feeble and helpless man's nature is, even
with the assistance of divine grace, we may not apply the above
principles too strictly. This, for the following reason: Cases in which
we can not help ourselves with the aid of the grace given us are rare.
Therefore God gives us, in reward of our confident prayer, not only that
which is strictly necessary, but also that which is profitable and
conducive to our welfare. This being so, the logical deduction is, that
God is willing to hear our prayer not only when we, of ourselves, are
totally incapable of helping ourselves, but also when great difficulties
beset us in this our self-help. Hence, in a certain sense, we may
maintain that in the work of our salvation prayer and its efficacy must
be considered, together with the sacraments, as one of the chief means,
and not as a mere accessory.

[Illustration: The Annunciation]

This limitation of the main principle is founded on the generality of
the divine promises concerning the hearing of prayer, and on the great
goodness and bounty of God in which these promises originated. When man,
making use of all the means placed at his disposal, can not help
himself, a cry for help is sent to Heaven is not presumptuous or
unreasonable, and therefore the hope of being heard is not unfounded or
in vain.

CHAPTER IV

The Qualities of Prayer

FOR greater convenience of explanation, we condense the various
qualities of prayer