A FEW DEVOTIONAL HELPS

FOR EACH DAY

From Rogation to Trinity Sunday.

ROGATION SUNDAY.

"I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications."

ALL times are times of Prayer. But this is especially the Church's season of Rogation or asking. Not that she would nave us pray now more than at other seasons. But that by giving the character of prayer to this, and the three following days, she may invite us to think of the benefit of prayer, and stir us up to the use of this weapon of our spiritual warfare.

And what is Prayer.?

It is the anchor for him who is in peril of shipwreck. The treasury of wealth for him who is poor. The medicine for him who is

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sick. The preservative for him who is well.

And what does Prayer?

It pleases GOD. It obtains every grace that is asked for. It vanquishes the tempter. And it changes men from blind into seeing, from weak into strong, from sinners into saints.

He who uses prayer aright sets his affections on things above, has his treasure in heaven, and begins even in this life to enjoy the conversation of GOD.

My GOD and FATHER, what a powerful ambassador hast Thou given me in prayer!

This is the faithful messenger that Thou permittest me to send up into Thy presencechamber, to plead my cause before Thee, and to move Thy merciful Heart to aid me in all my needs.

The kings of the earth give audiences at stated hours; but Thou, the King of kings, givest me a continual audience.

Nor will I ask little things of Thee only, my GOD; I will ask great things also. However unworthy, I will ask for great graces, for rich spiritual treasures; for Thy bounty, like Thy love, knows no bounds.

And what is it that gives me this boldness in prayer? Not merely Thy promises to prayer, nor the ministry of Thy Angels, who carry up to Thee our prayers, still less

the wisdom of our words, for Thou knowest all long before. But it is that JESUS prays for me; that I pray to Thee as a member of His Body; and that He ever liveth to make intercession for me.

O, what wilt Thou not give me, my GOD, for JESUS' sake!

I will open my mouth wide, and Thou

shalt fill it.

O GOD of my soul, I hope in Thy goodness that Thou hast pardoned all my offences against Thee, and that I am now in a state of grace. I thank Thee for it with all my heart, and I hope to thank Thee through all eternity. But that I may continue in this state, give me such abundant grace that I may always pray, and pray as I ought. Fill me with Thy Spirit,-Thy Spirit which is so opposite to flesh and blood, - the Spirit of prayer and mortification, which Thou grantest to those souls whom Thou lovest, and which, I beseech Thee, to grant me, for the merits of JESUS CHRIST. Amen. Ó GOD the FATHER, pour upon me the spirit of grace and supplication.

O GOD the SON, teach me to pray.

O GOD the HOLY GHOST, infuse into me the gift of prayer, and Thyself make intercession for me with groanings unutterable.

O Thou, of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, give me a share

in all the prayers and sacrifices of Thy Church, and make me one with those who are one with Thee!

Our FATHER, &c.

PSALM XLVI. Deus noster refugium.

GOD is our hope and strength: a very present help in trouble.

Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved : and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea.

Though the waters thereof rage and swell: and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same.

The rivers of the flood thereof shall make glad the city of GOD: the holy place of the tabernacle of the most Highest.

GOD is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed: GOD shall help her, and that right early.

The heathen make much ado, and the kingdoms are moved : but God hath showed His voice, and the earth shall melt away.

The LORD of hosts is with us the GOD of Jacob is our refuge.

O come hither, and behold the works of the LORD: what destruction He hath brought upon the earth.

He maketh wars to cease in all the world: He breaketh the bow, and knappeth the

spear in sunder, and burneth the chariots in the fire.

Be still then, and know that I am GOD: I will be exalted among the heathen, and I will be exalted in the earth.

The LORD of hosts is with us: the GOD of Jacob is our refuge.

Glory be to the FATHER, &c.
As it was in the beginning, &c.

ROGATION MONDAY.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the FATHER in My Name, He will give it you."

O my soul, it is written, "Before thou prayest prepare thyself, and be not as one that tempteth the LORD." Therefore make ready with all earnestness, patience, obedience, and resignation; with humility, with love, and thankfulness, and so raise thy voice to thy King, thy FATHER, and thy GOD.

Prayer makes men like angels. In prayer we participate in the ardent love of the seraphim; the fulness of knowledge of the cherubim; the fortitude of archangels; the