"Prayer places our understanding in the divine brightness and exposes our will to the warmth of heavenly love. There is nothing that so effectually purges our understanding of its ignorance and our will of its depraved affections.
"It is the holy water that makes the plants of our good desires grow green and flourish, that cleanses our souls of their imperfections, and that quenches the thirst of passion in our hearts." (St. Francis de Sales)
"Rejoice in the Lord always!... Present your needs to God in every form of prayer and in petitions full of gratitude. Then God's Peace, which is beyond all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7)
(painting in US public domain)