But some will say, and with truth, 'It is easy to tell us to be good:
we can no more change our own character than we can change our own
bodies; the question is, who will make us good?' Who indeed, save he
who said, 'Ask and ye shall receive?' St. Paul knew well enough that
if his armour was God's armour, God alone could forge it, and God
alone could bestow it; and therefore he ends his commands with this
last command--'Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in
the spirit, and watching thereto with all perseverance, and
supplication for all saints.' Those who wrote the Church Catechism
knew it likewise, and have said to us from our very childhood: 'My
good child, know this: that thou canst not do these things of
thyself, nor walk in the commandments of God and serve him without
his special grace; which thou must learn at all times to call for by
diligent prayer.'
Yes, my friends, there is but one way to obtain that armour of God,
which will bring us safe through the battle of life; and that is,
pray for it. Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and ye shall
find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. You who wish for true
success in life, pray. Pray, if you never prayed before, morning and
evening, with your whole hearts, for that Spirit of God which is
truth, justice, peace, faith, and hope--and you shall not pray in
vain.
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