The Necessity of Prayer

Part 4

God has not merely counseled, but has commanded us to have recourse to prayer: "We ought always to pray, and not to faint." (Luke xviii. 1);  "Ask, and it shall be given you" (Matt vii. 7). Again, we are dependent creatures, ans as such are bound to render honor and gratitude to the Author of  our being.  We are frail creatures subject to all kinds of infirmities and unable to do anything meritorious of eternal life without God's grace. Since, therefore, God has decreed to give His special help only to those who seek it, prayers becomes a necessity, if we are to save our souls.  "He who prays," says St. Alphonsus, "will certainly be saved, he who does not, will certainly be damned."