Prayerfulness 

   Every now and then I come across a quote from one of the saints that bears sharing.  Today I would like to share one from St. Bonaventure:

 

   “If you would suffer with patience the adversities and miseries of this life, be a man of prayer. If you would obtain courage and strength to conquer the temptations of the enemy, be a man of prayer. If you would mortify your own will with all its inclinations and appetites, be a man of prayer. If you would know the wiles of Satan and unmask his deceits, be a man of prayer. If you would live in joy and walk pleasantly in the ways of penance, be a man of prayer. If you would banish from your soul the troublesome flies of vain thoughts and cares, be a man of prayer. If you would nourish your soul with the very sap of devotion and keep it always full of good thoughts and good desires, be a man of prayer. If you would strengthen and keep up your courage in the ways of God, be a man of prayer. In fine, if you would uproot all vices from your soul and plant all virtues in their place, be a man of prayer. It is in prayer that we receive the unction and grace of the Holy Ghost, who teaches all things.”  (St. Bonaventure, "The Ways of Mental Prayer”)

 

   I could write page after page about prayer, but I could never state it as eloquently and clearly as St. Bonaventure.  Prayer is our lifeline in a troubled sea.  Prayer is our strength in times of trouble and sadness. There is nothing a Christian can do of more importance than prayer, each day, every day, all day.