Vocations are the result of prayer twice over. Once because without prayer, much prayer, God will not commonly offer the grace of a vocation. And once again because, without prayer, vocations offered by God may not even be recognized by those who receive them or, if recognized, will not be generously responded to. There is one more aspect of prayer and vocations that should be stressed. It is a lifelong invitation that those who are called must continue hearing and continue answering all through life if they are to persevere in their calling.
Prayer is a normal condition for perseverance.
It has been said that the faithful get the priests and religious they deserve. Of course the first ones on whom this obligation rests are the priests and religious themselves. But then it extends to all the People of God.