The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-20
PRAY WITH HUMILITY
As our LORD TAUGHT
Prayer In Closing Mission Mt
Sacred Heart.

Speaking on prayer In the last OF
his series of lectures during his mis-
sion which closed in Sacred Heart Ca
thedral yesterday Rev. Father Con-
way said, in part:
The intelligent Christian who prays
earnestly for the cure of sick friend
does not neglect to employ good
physician also The good priest who
prays hard for the conversion of sin
ners does not neglect the personal visit
and the word of advice, warning, en-
couragement or threat. He knows that
God wishes us to use every natural
means at our disposal, but he knows
also that God has given US the super
natural help Of prayer. And SO every
nation has prayed. even though its
religion or philosophy gave the lie
thereto; so deeply rooted in the human
heart is the belief III the supernatural
help vouchsafed a man for the ask
ing.
Our objector has In mind, undoubt-
edly, tire superstitious fanaticism OF
the Dowicites, for example. who, con-
! trary to Christian principles, neglect
the IRE OF remedies In curing diseases;
Or perhaps the Christian scientists,
who speak of prayer. although their
denial of a personal God makes the
term a mockery.
form God of our necessities or of our
Utmost sentiments of love. praise, sor-
row, or Thanksgiving, for He, the ON
niscient One, knows all the secrets of
our hearts.
The Christian prays, however. to
fulfll duty written in the heart OF
man and insisted on constantly by the
Son of God. The elemental principle
of religion is the acknowledgment OF
~{vz,
Destiny. and our utter dependence up
on him. The revelation Of Jesus Christ.
unfolding to us so many new proofs
of that Creators love, makes this
acknowledgment the more imperative
1.-THE Son of God teaches us how to
praise. bless. adore. thank and crave
pardon OF God. and promises us favors
through the invocation of His holy
name: IT you ask the Father anything
In my name. he VIII give it TO YOU
why do not Catholics pray as the
! heart dictates. instead of always re-
peatinS a certain number Of set pray
ers?' is asked.
Because our Lord taught US the
beauty and efficacy OF special prayers
in that most perfect of all prayers. the
Our Father The Catholic Church.
teaching In His name and with His di-
vine authority. has followed His ex-
ample in sanctioning many other beau
tiful prayers. as the Hall Mary. the
Greed. the Confiteor. the prayers OF
the mass, the Angelus. the Rosary, etc
in order that the members OF uni
versal society may have In the unity
of common prayer common bond OF
devotion to God and His saints.
Our objector must not forget, now
ever. that besides vocal prayer. there
exists in the Catholic Church the high
err forms OF mental and contemplative
PRAYER. in which great saints, ike 81
Paul, st. Teresa, St Catharine, exceiied
We recommend 10 his careful study
some of our elementary books on Chris
tian Perfection. which will open new
field OF vision into the spiritual life
of Catholics.
Our Lord taught W to pray with
humility. realizing we'll our sins and
unwerthiness, and our utter dependence
! upon Him.. said Father Conway. IN
closing Some people demand favers
of God rs a right. and blaspheme HIS
Holy Name for not answering at once
The prayer of him that humbleth him.
self shall pierce the clouds
Other conditions on which He In
verance, by which. despite every DIM
{ Guilty, one continues to ask of God ev-
cry needful grace OF body and soul
consider the woman Of Chanaan Matt
KY. 2-2s1. the parable of the amportu-
/ nate fiend luke 81. 5so, the unjust
Judge duke xviii. 2~5. ri .s-lS).