Diana's Place

The most urgent and important practical lesson that can be impressed upon the mind of any man is simply this: Pray, and you will surely save your immortal soul; neglect prayer, and you will certainly be lost.

The man who prays is saved; the man who does not pray is lost. The saints are in heaven because they made use of prayer; the damned are in hell because they refused to pray.

There is no lesson that the holy scriptures bring out more clearly than the necessity of prayer. Christ has said:

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you (Matt.7:7)

Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in my name, he will give it to you (John 16:23).

The reason for Christ's constant insistence on the necessity of prayer is evident. Without the help of God we can do nothing in the supernatural order. We cannot same our souls; we cannot overcome temptation; in fact, we cannot even think a good thought or perform a single good action. "Without me, you can do nothing (John 15:5). "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything, as from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God (2 Cor. 3:5).

The grace that each man needs is given, in God's ordinary providence, only to those who pray for it. God has arranged it so, in order that we may be conscious of our nothingness and remain in humble dependence upon Him. He knows, indeed, all our wants even before we express them to Him, and He is ready to help us; but He has established prayer as the condition for obtaining His grace and favor. Unless we observe this condition, the divine assistance will not be given to us.

Just as a farmer cannot expect his harvest without first sowing the seed; so likewise we cannot expect to obtain from God that which we need unless we pray.

Moreover, since man's mind had been darkened and his will weakened by original sin, he cannot long resist temptation or stay out of grave sin without the assistance of God's grace, which is given in response to prayer. Prayer is, then, the remedy for our human weakness. For when we pray, God gives us the strength to do that which we cannot do of ourselves.

St. Augustine wrote, in a wonderful sentence which was adopted by the Council of Trent: "God does not command impossible things; but by commanding, he suggests to you to do what you can, and to ask for what is beyond your strength; and he helps you that you may be able."

This is, then, the sum total of practical wisdom: Do what you can, and pray to God for what you cannot do. We are weak; but God is strong. When we ask Him for aid, He communicates His strength to us, and we are able to do all things, as St. Paul declared: I can do all things in him who strengthens me (Phil.4:13).

Every man has been given by God the power to pray as the key to his salvation. If he makes use of prayer, all other graces come to him. If, on the other hand, he neglects to pray, he closes the door or eternal life upon himself.

To acknowledge an error is not a sign of weakness, but of courage and strength.--John E. Erb, in Concern


	home page \| A New Beginning \| Poetry \| Links to Visit \| Del's Page \| America The Beautiful \| Here is a little information about myself. \| Silly Stuff \| Thoughts to ponder \| Poem's & Quote's \| Diana's Place \| A letter from a DEAR FRIEND \| Vacations \| America The Free Diana's Place The following poems was passed down to Diana from her Father If You Think You Can If you think that you are beaten, you are, If you think you dare not, you don't, If you'd like to win, but you think you can't, It's almost certain you won't. If you think you'll lose, you've lost. For out in the world you'll find Success begins with a fellow's will -- It's all in the state of mind. Full many a race is lost Ere even a step is run, And many a coward fall Ere even his work's begun. Think big, and your deeds will grow; Think small, and you'll fall behind; Think that you can and you will -- It's all in the state of mind. If you think you are outclassed, you are; You've got to think high to rise; You've got to be sure of yourself before You can ever win a prize. Life's battles don't always go To the stronger or faster man But soon or late the man who wins Is the man who thinks he can. The Importance Of Prayer The most urgent and important practical lesson that can be impressed upon the mind of any man is simply this: Pray, and you will surely save your immortal soul; neglect prayer, and you will certainly be lost. The man who prays is saved; the man who does not pray is lost. The saints are in heaven because they made use of prayer; the damned are in hell because they refused to pray. There is no lesson that the holy scriptures bring out more clearly than the necessity of prayer. Christ has said: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you (Matt.7:7) We ought always to pray, and not to faint (Luke 18:1). Watch and pray that may not enter into temptation (Matt. 26:41). Amen, amen, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in my name, he will give it to you (John 16:23). Necessity of Prayer for Salvation The reason for Christ's constant insistence on the necessity of prayer is evident. Without the help of God we can do nothing in the supernatural order. We cannot same our souls; we cannot overcome temptation; in fact, we cannot even think a good thought or perform a single good action. "Without me, you can do nothing (John 15:5). "Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything, as from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God (2 Cor. 3:5). Grace Given to those Who Pray The grace that each man needs is given, in God's ordinary providence, only to those who pray for it. God has arranged it so, in order that we may be conscious of our nothingness and remain in humble dependence upon Him. He knows, indeed, all our wants even before we express them to Him, and He is ready to help us; but He has established prayer as the condition for obtaining His grace and favor. Unless we observe this condition, the divine assistance will not be given to us. Just as a farmer cannot expect his harvest without first sowing the seed; so likewise we cannot expect to obtain from God that which we need unless we pray. Moreover, since man's mind had been darkened and his will weakened by original sin, he cannot long resist temptation or stay out of grave sin without the assistance of God's grace, which is given in response to prayer. Prayer is, then, the remedy for our human weakness. For when we pray, God gives us the strength to do that which we cannot do of ourselves. Help for our Weakness: St. Augustine wrote, in a wonderful sentence which was adopted by the Council of Trent: "God does not command impossible things; but by commanding, he suggests to you to do what you can, and to ask for what is beyond your strength; and he helps you that you may be able." This is, then, the sum total of practical wisdom: Do what you can, and pray to God for what you cannot do. We are weak; but God is strong. When we ask Him for aid, He communicates His strength to us, and we are able to do all things, as St. Paul declared: I can do all things in him who strengthens me (Phil.4:13). Every man has been given by God the power to pray as the key to his salvation. If he makes use of prayer, all other graces come to him. If, on the other hand, he neglects to pray, he closes the door or eternal life upon himself. The Man who Quits The man who quits has a brain and hand As good as the next, but he lacks the sand That would make him stick with a courage stout To whatever he tackles and fight it out. He starts with a rush and a solemn vow That he'll soon be showing the others how; Then something strikes his roving eye And his task is left for the bye and bye. It's up to each man what becomes of him; He must find in himself the grit and vim That brings success; he can get the skill, If he brings to the task a steadfast will. No man is beaten till he gives in; Hard luck can't stand for a cheerful grin; The man who fails needs a better excuse Than the quitter's whining "What's the use?" For the man who quits lets his chances slip Just because he's too lazy to keep his grip. No Regrets Isn't it good at the end of the day To look up at God and be able to say "Dear Lord, I helped someone today." But isn't it sad if instead you must say "Dear Lord, I hurt someone today. I drove the nails a little bit deeper And forgot that I am my brother's keeper. Isn't it better when the day is done To know that you have injured no one. From the time of your waking, Till you lie down to sleep, Remember the promises that we should keep To love one another as He loves us too, And you'll never regret and good that you do. AT DAYS END Is anybody happier because you passed his way? Does anyone remember that you spoke to him today? The day is almost over, and it's toiling time is through; Is there anyone to utter now a kindly word of you? Can you say tonight, in parting with the day that's slipping fast, That you helped a single brother of the many that you passed? Is a single heart rejoicing over what you did or said; Does the man whose hopes were fading, now with courage look ahead? Did you waste the day, or lose it? Was it well or sorely spent? Did you leave a trail of kindness, or a scar of discontent? As you close your eyes in slumber, do you think that God will say, "You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?" What you can do, or dream you can, begin it: Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Things to Remember: The value of time; The success of perseverance; The pleasure of working; The dignity of simplicity; The worth of character; The influence of example; The obligation of duty; The wisdom of economy; The virtue of patience; The improvement of talent; The joy of originating; The power of kindness. Choices Your success depends upon you. You have to steer your own course. You have to do your own thinking. You must make your own decisions. You have to solve your own problems. Your character is your own handiwork. You have to write your own record. You have to build your own monument -- or to dig your own pit. Which are you doing? My Self I have to live with myself, and so I want to be fit for myself to know. I want to be able, as days go by, Always to look myself straight in the eye. I don't want to stand, with the setting sun, And hate myself for the things I've done. I want to go out with my head erect, I want to deserve all men's respect. For here in the struggle for fame and self I want to be able to like myself. I don't want to look at myself and know I'm bluster, a bluff and an empty show. I never can hide myself from me; I see what others may never see. I know what others may never know, I never can fool myself, and so, Whatever happens, I want to be Self-respecting and conscience-free. Only One Day Lord, please let me live every day as if it were my last And strive to make amends for all the sins that fill my past Let me be kind to everyone in thought and word and deed And share what worldly goods I have with those who are in need Help me, oh, Lord, with strength of heart and with your hold grace To walk in calm and patience and keep my humble place I want to be your servant, Lord, and always do your will Until my eyes are closed in sleep, until my heart is still. Be merciful to me, oh Lord, for my imperfect past And let me live my every day as if it were my last. God's Reason I don't know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me That maybe we are stationed, where God wants us to be; That little place we're filling is the reason for our birth, And just to do the work we do, He sent us down to earth. If God had wanted otherwise, I reckon He's have made Each one of us a little different, of a worse or better grade; And since God knows and understands all things of land and sea, I fancy that He placed us here, Just where He wanted us to be. Sometimes we get to thinking, as our labors we review, That we should like a higher place with greater things to do; But we come to the conclusion, when the envying is stilled, That the post to which God sent us is the post He wanted filled. And there isn't any service we can scorn for it may be just the reason God allowed us to be born. Resolutions For Anytime Be friendly and helpful. If you would have a friend, be one. Be cordial. Speak and act as if anything you do is a genuine pleasure. Be interested in people. You can like everybody if you try. Be generous with praise but always cautious with criticism. Be considerate of the feelings of others. It will be appreciated. Be thoughtful of the opinions of others. You are not always right. Be alert to give service. What counts most in life is what we do for others. Courtesy is the least expensive but the most valuable commodity we have. Try it. It Takes So Little It takes so little to make us sad . . . Just a slighting word or doubting sneer; Just a scornful smile on some lips held dear And our footsteps lag, though the goal seemed near. And we lose the courage and hope we had . . . So little it takes to make us sad. It takes so little to make us glad Just a cheering clasp of a friendly hand Just a word from one who can understand And we finish the task we long had planned And we lose the doubt and the fear we had . . . So little it takes to make us glad. Look to This Day Look to this day, For it is life, The very life of life. In its brief course lies all The realities and verities of existence, The bliss of growth, The splendor of action, The glory of power -- For yesterday is but a dream And tomorrow is only a vision. But today, well lived, Makes every yesterday a dream of happiness And every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day. God Grants us Hope & Faith and Love Hope for a world grown cynically cold, Hungry for power and greedy for gold . . . FAITH to believe when within and without There's a nameless fear in a world of doubt . . . LOVE that is bigger than race or creed, To cover the world and fill each need . . . God , Grant these gifts of Faith, Hope and Love-- Three things this world Has so little of . . . For only these gifts from Our Father Above Can turn man's sins From Hatred to Love ! I Needed the quiet. I needed the quiet so He drew me aside. Into the shadows where we could confide. Away from the bustle where all day long I harried and worried when active and strong. I needed the quiet tho at first I rebelled But gently, so gently, my cross He upheld And whispered so sweetly of spiritual things Tho weakened in body, my spirit took wings To heights never dreamed of when active and gay. He loved me so greatly He drew me away. I needed the quiet. No prison my bed, But a beautiful valley of blessings instead A place to grow richer in Jesus to hide, I needed the quiet so He drew me aside. Always remember to forget The troubles that passed away, But never forget to remember The blessings that come each day. AN INDIAN PRAYER O' GREAT SPIRIT, Whose voice I hear in the winds, And whose breath gives life to all the world, hear me! I am small and weak, I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty, and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset. Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice. Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people. Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. I seek strength. not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy -- myself. Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes. So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my spirit may come to you without shame. God Does Not Forget The world will strip your failings And hide the good you do; And with its sharpest thorns The ways you walk bestrew; You'll toil for men--they'll curse you: "Twas thus, and thus "tis yet, And thus it will be forever-- But God will not forget. The hours of silent grieving For someone loved and lost. The hours of self-denial, "Twas hard to count their cost; The fallen soul uplifted. The sorrows bravely met-- All are on earth forgotten, But God does not forget. His eye is ever seeking The wee things done for Him; And that shall light the shadows Where death waits stern and grim. So lift your burden gladly, Nor falter, fear or fret; For Heaven is in the distance And God does not forget. To acknowledge an error is not a sign of weakness, but of courage and strength.--John E. Erb, in Concern Time to Pray I got up early one morning And rushed right into the day; I had so much to accomplish That I didn't take time to pray. Problems just tumbled about me, And heavier came each task, "Why doesn't God help me,: I wondered. He answered, "You didn't ask." I wanted to see joy and beauty But the day toiled on, gray and bleak, I wondered why God didn't show me, He said, "But you didn't seek." I tried to come into God's presence; I used all my keys in the lock. God gently and lovingly chided, "My child, you didn't knock." I woke up early this morning And paused before entering the day. I had so much to accomplish That I had to take time to pray. Paradoxes of Prayer I asked God for strength, That I might achieve I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey . . . I asked for health, That I might do greater things I was given infirmity, that I might do better things . . . I asked for riches, that I might be happy I was given poverty that I might be wise . . . I asked for power, That I might have the praise of men I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God . . . I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life I was given life, that I might enjoy all things . . . I got nothing that I asked for -- but everything I had hoped for Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered, I am among all, most richly blessed! Contintment Health enough to make work a pleasure Wealth enough to support your needs Patience enough to toil until some good is accomplished. Strength enough to battle with difficulties and overcome them. Grace enough to confess your sins and forsake them Charity enough to see some good in your neighbor. Love enough to make you useful and helpful to others. Hope enough to remove all anxious fears concerning the future. Faith enough to make real the things of God. God's Promise Even as seasons Bring sunshine and rain Life must be balanced With gladness and pain; Even as trials Seem heavy to bear God sends His rainbow-- A promise to care. Strength for the trials, And help for the day, Rest for the journey, And light for the way. Peace for the weary, And grace from above-- God sends His promise Of wonderful love! May GOD BLESS YOU Dear friend of mine, there is no way In which I could address you, With more sincerity of heart Than just to say God bless you. My words could wish that all your cares would be a little lighter And I could send you greeting cards To make your hours brighter. My heart could wish good luck to you And happiness in planning And I could promise you the depth Of human understanding. But I am sure no other thought Or message would impress you As lovingly or lastingly As asking God to bless you. And so I say God bless you, friend In every good endeavor And my His guiding grace be yours Forever and forever. Click Here