Page:Spiritualcombat.djvu/165

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150
WHAT IS MENTAL PRAYER

happen, let us remain steadfast and joyful, in humble submission to His Divine Providence.


CHAPTER XLV.

What is Mental Prayer.

MENTAL prayer is the lifting up of our heart to God, accompanied with an actual or virtual request for something we desire.

It is an actual request, when we clothe our thought or desire with unspoken words, mentally forming such sentences as these, or others like them:—"O Lord, grant me this grace, for Thy Name's Sake;" or, "O Lord, I believe it is in accordance with Thy Will, and for Thy Glory, that I should ask and receive this grace from Thee; accomplish therefore now Thy Divine Will in me."

And when you feel the assaults of your enemies, say thus:—"My God, haste Thou to help me, that I yield not to mine enemies;" or, "My God, my Refuge, Thou Strength of my heart, help me speedily, lest I fall." And continue to pray in this way, until the struggle is over, manfully resisting your enemy all the while.

When the heat of the conflict is past, turn to your Lord, and present before Him the enemy