February 26

Third Monday after Epiphany

And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive. S. Matthew 21:22.

THE end of all prayer is to nourish faith and love, that we may trust in God, speak to God, and through speaking to God love God; through trusting in God, be grateful to God. "Often as I speak of prayer," says S. Bernard, "I seem to hear in your hearts some words of human thoughts, which I have often heard from others, and have experienced in my own heart. How is it that, although we never cease from prayer, scarce any of us seem to experience what is the fruit of his prayer?" As we go to prayer, so also we seem to return. No one giveth us anything; we seem to have toiled in vain. What saith the Lord? Judge not according to appearance, judge righteous judgment. What is righteous judgment but the judgment of faith? for "the just shall live by faith." Follow this judgment, not thine own experience; for faith is true, experience deceitful. What, then, is the truth of faith, save what the Son of God Himself promises? "All things whatsoever ye ask in prayer believing, ye shall receive." Let none hold his prayer cheap; He to Whom we pray holdeth it not cheap. Ere it is gone forth out of our mouth, He hath it written in His book. We may hope that He will either give us what we ask or what He knoweth to be more useful to us. We know not what to pray for as we ought. He hath pity on our ignorance, He graciously receiveth prayer; but He giveth not, either what is altogether not good for us or what need not be given us so speedily, yet will not the prayer be without fruit.

By me—in me Thy will be done, So shall I the glad way of Thy commandments run.