Prayer: The Trustiest Messenger to the Throne

Bernard of Clairvaux offers a medieval allegory worthy of our attention. The kings of Babylon and Jerusalem wage eternal war—representing the world and the church in perpetual conflict. A soldier of Jerusalem flees to the castle of Justice, besieged by multitudes of enemies. Fear surrenders all hope, but Prudence counters: "Our King is the Lord mighty in battle. Let us dispatch a messenger to inform Him of our necessities."

Fear protests: darkness covers the earth, watchful troops encircle the walls, and the way is utterly unknown. Then Justice speaks: "I have a messenger of especial trust, well known to the King—Prayer by name. She knows the ways of the stillest silence, reaching even to the King's chamber itself."

Prayer ascends and knocks: "Open, ye gates of righteousness, that I may tell the King of Jerusalem how our case standeth." This, Bernard insists, is our surest and most effectual messenger. If we send merits, the stars disdain us. If we send fear and distrust, they grow heavy as iron and sink before reaching Heaven's throne. If we send blasphemies, all creation bands against us—sun and moon rain blood, fire sends burning coals, air hurls thunderbolts.

But Prayer—swift of speed, faithful in trustiness, happy in success—neither tediousness nor difficulty can hinder from her purpose. She mounts above the eagles themselves, reaching always to Yahweh's throne.