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Objection 1: It would seem that prayer is not an act of religion.
Since religion is a part of justice, it resides in the will as in its
subject. But prayer belongs to the intellective part, as stated above
(Article 1). Therefore prayer seems to be an act, not of
religion, but of the gift of understanding whereby the mind ascends to
God.
Objection 2: Further, the act of "latria" falls under a necessity
of precept. But prayer does not seem to come under a necessity of
precept, but to come from the mere will, since it is nothing else than
a petition for what we will. Therefore prayer seemingly is not an act
of religion.
Objection 3: Further, it seems to belong to religion that one
"offers worship end ceremonial rites to the Godhead" [Cicero,
Rhet. ii, 53]. But prayer seems not to offer anything to God,
but to. ask to obtain something from Him. Therefore prayer is not an
act of religion.
On the contrary, It is written (Ps. 140:2): "Let my
prayer be directed as incense in Thy sight": and a gloss on the
passage says that "it was to signify this that under the old Law
incense was said to be offered for a sweet smell to the Lord." Now
this belongs to religion. Therefore prayer is an act of religion.
I answer that, As stated above (Question 81, Articles
2,4), it belongs properly to religion to show honor to God,
wherefore all those things through which reverence is shown to God,
belong to religion. Now man shows reverence to God by means of
prayer, in so far as he subjects himself to Him, and by praying
confesses that he needs Him as the Author of his goods. Hence it is
evident that prayer is properly an act of religion.
Reply to Objection 1: The will moves the other powers of the soul
to its end, as stated above (Question 82, Article 1, ad 1),
and therefore religion, which is in the will, directs the acts of the
other powers to the reverence of God. Now among the other powers of
the soul the intellect is the highest, and the nearest to the will;
and consequently after devotion which belongs to the will, prayer which
belongs to the intellective part is the chief of the acts of religion,
since by it religion directs man's intellect to God.
Reply to Objection 2: It is a matter of precept not only that we
should ask for what we desire, but also that we should desire aright.
But to desire comes under a precept of charity, whereas to ask comes
under a precept of religion, which precept is expressed in Mt.
7:7, where it is said: "Ask and ye shall receive".
Reply to Objection 3: By praying man surrenders his mind to God,
since he subjects it to Him with reverence and, so to speak, presents
it to Him, as appears from the words of Dionysius quoted above
(Article 1, Objection 2). Wherefore just as the human mind
excels exterior things, whether bodily members, or those external
things that are employed for God's service, so too, prayer surpasses
other acts of religion.
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