PRAYER

The great means of obtaining Salvation and all the graces which we desire of God

by St Alphonsus de Liguori

CONTENTS

A Work of Ascetic Theology

Introduction

PART 1

Ch1. The Necessity of Prayer

1. Prayer is a means necessary to salvation
2. Without prayer it is impossible to resist temptations and to keep the commandments
3. Invocation of the Saints
4. The Intercession of the Blessed Virgin

Ch2. The Power of Prayer

1. Excellence of prayer and its power with God
2. God is always ready to hear us
3. We should not limit ourselves to asking for little things. To pray is better than to meditate

Ch3. The Conditions of Prayer

1. Which are the requisite conditions?
2. The humility with which we should pray
3. The confidence with which we ought to pray
4. The perseverance required in prayer

PART 2

WHICH PROVES THAT THE GRACE OF PRAYER IS GIVEN TO ALL AND WHICH TREATS OF THE ORDINARY MODE IN WHICH THIS GRACE OPERATES

Introduction

Ch 1. God wishes all men to be saved, and therefore Christ died to save all men.

1. God wishes all men to be saved
2. Jesus Christ died to save all men
3. Children who die without Baptism

Ch 2. God commonly gives to all the Just the grace necessary for the observance of the Commandments and to all sinners the grace necessary for conversion

1. Obstinate or Hardened Sinners and the Abandonment of Them by God

PART II: MENTAL PRAYER

CHAPTER 1: MENTAL PRAYER IS MORALLY NECESSARY FOR SALVATION
CHAPTER 2: MENTAL PRAYER IS INDISPENSABLE IN ORDER TO ATTAIN PERFECTION
CHAPTER 3: THE ENDS OF MENTAL PRAYER
CHAPTER 4: PRINCIPAL SUBJECTS OF MEDITATION
CHAPTER 5: SUITABLE PLACE AND TIME FOR MEDITATION
CHAPTER 6: MANNER OF MENTAL PRAYER
CHAPTER 7: DISTRACTIONS AND ARIDITIES

PART III: PRAYERS BY ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI

PRAYER TO OBTAIN FINAL PERSEVERANCE
PRAYER TO JESUS CHRIST TO OBTAIN HIS HOLY LOVE
PRAYER TO OBTAIN CONFIDENCE IN THE MERITS OF JESUS AND IN MARY’S INTERCESSION
PRAYER TO BE SAID EVERY DAY TO OBTAIN THE NECESSARY GRACES FOR SALVATION
ASPIRATIONS AND THOUGHTS