August 24

Fifth Saturday after Trinity

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open unto their prayers. I S. PETER iii. 12.

THERE are two modes of praying: the one is prayer at set times and places and in set forms; the other is continual or habitual prayer. Prayer is to spiritual life what the beating of the pulse is to the life of the body. In prayer the true Christian pierces through the veil of this world and sees the next. He holds intercourse with it. Such prayers God will answer. How beautifully the following teaches this truth. There is no greater Saint since the days of the Apostles, none whose works have had a greater influence for good, than S. Augustine. He was an unbeliever, living unbaptized till he had come to manhood, because he was entangled by a habit of sin; but his mother, Monica, who was devout and holy, never ceased her earnest prayers for him; and her prayers, like those of the Canaanitish woman, were abundantly heard and answered. She lived to see him become a remarkable, penitent, and holy man, to be herself instructed by his wonderful wisdom in the things of God; and she blessed God that he was given to her prayers as a brand plucked from the fire, and made to shine as a star in heaven for ever and ever, turning many to righteousness. With these examples let us now earnestly entreat those who pray for themselves to pray for others also.

Prayer makes the darkened cloud withdraw, Prayer climbs the ladder Jacob saw, Gives exercise to faith and love, Brings every blessing from above.