"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 you 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, p.
25-26
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