Volume I, Treatise V, Chapter I

Of the Merit and Excellency of Prayer

St. Joun, in the fifth and eighth chpaters of the Apocalypse, expresses admirably well the excellency and merit of prayer. He says in the eighth, “‘ that there came an angel, and stood before the altar, having in his hand a thurible of gold, to whom was given a great quantity of incense, to the end he should offer up the prayers of all the saints upon the altar of God, which was before the throne of God; and the smoke of the incense of the prayers raised itself from the hand of the angel to the presence of God.” (Apocalypse 8:3,4) St. Chrysostom, speaking of this passage, tells us, that one proof of the merit of prayer is, that in the holy Scripture it alone is compared to thymiama, which was a composition of incense of many admirable perfumes. For as the smell of well composed thymiama is very delicious; so prayer also, when well made, is very acceptable to God, and gives great joy to the angels and inhabitants of the heavenly Jerusalem. Wherefore, St. John, speaking of the twenty-four elders, relates, ‘‘that they had golden cups, full of perfumes, which are prayers of saints.” (Ibid. 5:8) So that, says St. Austin, “what can be more excellent than prayer? what is there more profitable in this life? what more sweet to the mind? and what in our whole religion more sublime?” (Tract. de mis. tom. 10.) St. Gregory of Nice is of the same opinion, and says, “that of all things which we esteem in this life, none ought to be preferred before prayer.” (De or. Dom.)

St. Bernard, the better to make us understand the merit of it, says, that though it is certain the angels are often effectually (but invisibly) present with God’s servants, to defend them from the deceits and ambushes of the devil, and more and more to raise their thoughts and desires to God; yet nevertheless they more particularly favour us with this presence, when we are employed in prayer. He proves this proposition by divers passages of Scripture; as by this, “I will sing hymns to thee in the presence of the angels” (Psalms 137:2); and ‘‘ the princes joining themselves to the musicians went before in the middle of young damsels, who played upon timbrels.” (Ps. Ixvii. 26.) Understanding by the princes, the angels, who joined themselves to those that are in prayer, as appears by these words of the angel to Toby: ‘“‘ When you were in prayer, and poured forth tears, I offered your prayers to our Lord.” (Tobias 12:12) We see by this last passage, that prayers scarce go out of the mouth of him that prays, but presently the angels who are by us receive and present them to God. St. Hilary also assures us, that ‘‘the angels preside at the prayers of the faithful, and continually offer them to God.” (Hil. can. 18. in Mat.) So that when we are in prayer, we are surrounded by angels, and in effect we perfurm their office; exercising at present what we must practise with them for an eternity. Wherefore they already look upon us as their companions, and beforehand beholding us as in heaven, filling up the places of their fallen companions, favour us more particularly during our prayer than at other times.

St. Chrysostom, speaking of the excellency of prayer, and desirous to let us see its advantages, says; ‘Consider to what a degree of happiness you are raised by prayer, and how great prerogatives are attributed to it, You thereby speak to God himself, you entertain yourself and converse with Jesus Christ; you therein desire what pleases you, and you ask whatsoever you desire.” (Lib. 2. de oran. Deum.) There is no tongue that is sufficiently able to express, of how great a value this communication is, which man has with God, and what profit it brings along with it. We see in the world, that those who ordinarily keep company with wise and prudent persons, reform and improve their minds and judgments by their conversation. If therefore they become virtuous by frequenting the company of virtuous persons; what advantage may we not believe we gain by a frequent communication with God? ‘ Approach him,” says the Royal Prophet, “and you shall be enlightened.” (Psalms 33:7) In effect, with what lights, with what knowledge must we not needs be filled? What good, what happiness must we not assuredly gain, by this kind of commerce? wherefore St. Chrysostom assures us, that nothing can so much contribute to.our progress in virtue, as frequent prayer, and conversation with God; so that by this means the heart of man comes to be filled and to relish the most noble thoughts; and is enabled to raise itself above all earthly things, and in fine, becomes spiritual and holy, and in a manner transforms itself into God.

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