taught by theologians as conditions of its efficacy
into the following four: (1) Devotion; (2) Confidence; (3) Perseverance;
(4) Resignation to the will of God.

Treating of prayer, some theological authors demand, above all, the
intention of praying. This intention is indeed so necessary that it does
not belong to the qualities or attributes of prayer, but to its very
essence. For whosoever has not the intention or will to pray may recite
a formula of prayer with the greatest attention, yet does not really and
truly pray.

Again, the teachers of the spiritual life tell us that prayer must be
"in the name of Jesus." This being a condition insisted upon by our
divine Lord Himself, it also belongs to the essence of prayer. It means
that we offer up our prayer to God in the name of Jesus His Son, that
is, with reference to Him and in the firm confidence that we shall be
heard on His account and because of His promises. Again, to pray in the
name of Jesus means to pray according to His manner and in His spirit.

We now proceed to explain the qualities of true prayer:

1. _Devotion._--What is meant by devotion in prayer? Devotion in prayer
means: (_a_) that our prayer must be attentive; that is, the person
praying must direct his thoughts as uninterruptedly as possible to his
prayer, _viz.,_ to the formula he uses to state the object of his
desires, and above all to God, to whom his prayer is directed. (_b_) The
person praying must know and acknowledge his own needs, and that of
himself he has no claims whatsoever on God, and thus engender in himself
sentiments of true humility, (_c_) These sentiments must, moreover,
embrace reverence for God and the acknowledgment of dependence on Him,
thus giving to prayer the character of piety, (_d_) All this must
culminate in full abandonment to God, the Giver of all good things. This
abandonment is an essential part of our divine cult.

As to the question whether devotion, and what grade of it, is necessary
in prayer, and whether prayer without it loses its entire efficacy, and
especially its imploring efficiency, it is evident that prayer without
devotion is ineffective; it is simulation. An example of this, that is,
of a man pretending to pray and not praying in reality, is given us in
the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican (_Luke_ xviii. 10-12). To
determine accurately what grade of devotion, that is, what degree of
attention, humility, and piety is necessary to render pr