17. Intercession

Here the soul will find itself unable to make those requests to God that at other times it was accustomed to do with great ease. But it ought not to be surprised at this; for the Spirit asks for us that which is good and perfect and agreeable to the Will of God: “The Spirit helps our infirmities, because we know not what to pray for as we ought, nor how to pray; but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” Romans 8:26.

Moreover, I say, we must co-operate with God, whose chief design is to strip the soul of its own activities, that He might replace them with His own. Suffer Him then to do this, and do not bind yourself to anything of yourself, however good it may seem to be. It is certainly of no value to you if it turns you away from that which God desires for you; but the will of God is preferable to all other good. Rid yourself therefore of your own interests, and live by faith and surrender; it is here that faith begins to operate in the soul in the highest measure.