Such provision not being as if a wet-nurse, but defending His own and being a very present help and comfort. Because of these things, God in mercy, though He never sleeps, nor lies idle, does at times give the impression of one asleep or idle that He might train us who are otherwise idle and lazy, to seek, ask, and entreat Him to our great good. What great foolishness then those who act in ways that would call man s mind away from prayer, profaning God by pointing to His providence as needing not the prayer of man. How silly when providence is the working out of what God has ordained by the ordering of all things to work for the good of those who Love Him. Thus what God voluntarily bestows upon His children, God desires us to recognize as granted in answer to our prayers.
Prayer is the exercise of faith by which men s minds are cleared of indolence.
Thus it is true that our God never slumbers nor sleeps, and yet that He is inactive, as if forgetting us when He sees us idle and in lack of prayer. It is therefore God s will that all men pray everywhere at all times, that while man benefits, God is glorified, meeting the purpose for which all was created. For great things He has done. Man has no resource within, but must go outside of self for assistance. And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.