CHAPTER IV

ON THE OBJECTS OF PRAYER

QUESTION I

Of the Objects of Prayer to God

But as, under the head of each petition, will be pointed out in its proper place, what is and what is not a proper object of prayer, it will here suffice to admonish the faithful in general terms, to ask of God such things as are just and good; lest, asking what they ought not, they be repulsed with the answer: Ye know not what ye ask. But whatever it is lawful to desire, it is lawful to pray for, as this most ample promise of our Lord attests: Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you; in which he promises to grant all things.

QUESTION II

What Things are First, and of themselves, to be craved of God

First, therefore, we must direct all our wishes and desires to make God, who is the supreme good, the grand object of our love and wishes. We must next desire those things that unite us most closely to God; whilst those that would separate us, or produce any cause of separation from him, should he utterly removed from our desires or pursuits. Hence we may infer how, after that supreme and perfect good, the other things that are called goods, are to be desired and asked from God our Father.

QUESTION III

How far the Outward Goods of the Body are to be asked of God

For the goods that are called bodily, and those called external, such as health, strength, beauty, riches, honours, glory, which often afford occasion and matter for sin (and which, therefore, it is not altogether pious or salutary to ask), are not to be prayed for without this limitation, that we beg for such temporal goods only for necessity, so that this sort of prayer be referred only to God; for it is lawful for us to pray for the things for which Jacob and Solomon prayed: If, says Jacob, he will give me bread to eat and raiment to put on, then the Lord shall be my God. Give me, says Solomon, only the necessaries of life.

QUESTION IV

How we ought to use riches and the other Good Things of the Body when we possess them through the Mercy of God

When, however, by the bounty of God, we are supplied with the necessaries and comforts of life, we should recollect the exhortation of the apostle: Let them that buy be as they possessed not, and they that use this world, as not abusing it; for the fashion of this world passeth away; and again: If riches abound, set not your heart upon them. Their use and advantage alone belong to us, and even this with an obligation, as we learn from God himself, of sharing them with others. If we enjoy health; if we abound in other external and bodily goods; we should recollect that they are given unto us, to enable us to serve God with greater facility, and employ them all in lending assistance to our neighbour.

QUESTION V

How we may pray for the Goods of Genius and Learning

Genius and the embellishments that adorn it, such as learning and the arts, it is lawful to pray for; but on the condition, that they serve to promote the glory of God, and our own salvation. But that which is to be absolutely, and without reserve or condition of any sort, the object of our wishes, our desires, our prayers, is, as we have already said, the glory of God, and, next, whatever can serve to unite us to that supreme good; such as faith, the fear and love of God; but of these we shall treat more fully when explaining the petitions.