Spiritual Letters of Archbishop Fénelon: Letters to Women

TO THE DUCHESSE DE BEAUVILLIERS. ON MEDITATION AND PRAYER.

I SEND what you ask for, Madame. ... In order to make your prayer profitable, and as earnest as you desire, it would be well from the beginning to figure to yourself a poor, naked, miserable wretch, perishing of hunger, who knows but one man of whom he can ask or hope for succour; or a sick person covered with sores and ready to die, unless some pitiful physician will take him in hand and heal him. These are true representations of our condition before God. Your soul is more bare of heavenly treasure than that poor beggar is of earthly possessions; you need them more urgently, and there is none save God of whom you can ask or expect them. Again, your soul is infinitely more sin-sick than that sore-stricken patient, and God alone can heal you. Everything depends on His being moved by your prayers. He is able for all this; but remember that He wills only to do it when He is asked earnestly, and with real importunity.