that which
one seeks to obtain by prayer is not promotive of God's glory and of the
salvation of souls, even considered from a human point of view, much
less in the designs of Providence.

In cases where the object of prayer in itself presents no difficulties,
it is often defective for want of devotion or perseverance. But oftenest
our prayer is wanting in confidence and trust, which want originates in
the feeble faith of the person praying, or in too little reliance on the
promises of Christ and in the merits of His redemption. Thus there is
nothing to surprise us if we are not heard.

Again, we must never forget that very many, and generally the most
precious gifts of divine grace are bestowed secretly. Remember the many
and great benefits conferred daily and hourly by God on mankind,
universally and individually. Considering them, it is presumption to
maintain that in a special case the prayer of the Church, or of a
community, or of an individual, was not granted. The opposite is fully
proved by the goodness, bounty, and mercy which God shows so profusely
to us.

We must, moreover, never lose sight of the principle that the promises
made to prayer concern directly only the supernatural order of
salvation. To the goods of the temporal order they are applicable only
relatively. If we, therefore, experience that our prayers relative to
temporal things remain unheard, we must, instead of doubting the divine
promises, be firmly convinced that the attainment of the object for
which we prayed was, under the circumstances, not conducive to our real
welfare. We must, moreover, be convinced that God, in order not to leave
our petition ungranted, conferred on us some other real benefit.

Finally, when the refusal of our prayer is clearly and unmistakably
established, the reasons for this may be the following: (_a_) Perhaps
the person praying was wanting in effort, or in cooperation with graces
formerly received, a deficiency which can not be repaired by prayer
alone. (_b_) Or the prayer itself is wanting in one or the other
necessary qualities, especially in confidence. (_c_) God does not intend
to refuse the desired grace, but, for reasons of His own, delays it
(_d_) God gives us in place of what we asked some other grace more
salutary to us.

PART II

Mary, the Help of Christians

Novenas in Preparation for the Principal Feasts of the Blessed Virgin

"Holy Mary, aid the miserable, assist the desponding, stren