The following is taken from "Preparation for Death" by Saint Alphonsus De Liguroi, Chapter XXX entitled 'Efficacy of Prayer.'
"Not only in this, but in a thousand places in the Old and the New Testament, God promises to hear all who pray to Him. Cry to me, and I will hear thee. 'Call upon me, and I will deliver you from all dangers.' 'If you ask anything in My name, that I will do.' ''Whatsoever you shall ask through my merits, I will grant.' 'You shall ask whatever you will, and it shall be done unto you.' ''Ask as much as you wish: all that you ask will be given to you.' There are many other similar passages. Hence Theodoret has said that prayer is one, but can obtain all things. St. Bernard says that when we pray, the Lord will give either the grace we ask, or one that is more useful to us. The prophet animates us to pray by assuring us that God is all mercy to those who invoke His aid. 'Thou, O Lord, are sweet and mild, and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon Thee.' The words of St. James are still more encouraging. 'If any of you want wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth abundantly to all men, and upbraideth not.' This apostle tell us that when we pray to the Lord, He opens His hands, and gives us more than we ask. 'He giveth to all men abundantly, and upbraideth not.' He does not reproach us with the offences that we have offered to Him; but when we pray to Him, He appears to forget all the injuries that we have done Him.St. John Climacus used to say that prayer in a certain manner forces God to grant us whatsoever we ask of Him. "Prayer piously offers violence to God." But it is, as St. Tertullian says, a violence which is dear to him,and which he desires from us. Yes; for, as St. Augustine says, God has a greater desire to give us His graces, than we have to receive them. The reason is, because God is of His own nature infinite goodness. Hence he feels an infinite desire to impart his goods to us. Hence St. Mary Magdalene de Pazzi used to say, that God feels as it were under an obligation to the soul that prays to Him; because by prayer it opens to Him the way by which He can satisfy His desire of dispensing His graces to us. David says that the goodness of God, in instantly hearing all who pray to Him, showed him that he was He was his true God. 'In what day soever I shall call upon Thee, behold, I know Thou art my God." Some, observes St. Bernard, complain that God is wanting to them; but the Lord far more justly complains that many are wanting to Him by neglecting to ask His graces. Of this precisely the Redeemer appears to have complained one day to His disciples. 'Hitherto you have not asked anything in My name: ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full.' As if He said: Do not complain of Me if you do not enjoy complete happiness; complain of yourselves for not having asked My graces: ask Me for them henceforth, and you shall be satisfied.
Hence, in their conferences, the ancient monks came to the conclusion, that there is no exercise more conducive to salvation than to pray always, and say: "Lord, assist me, incline unto my aid, O God." The Venerable Paul Segneri used to say of himself, that in his meditations he was at first accustomed to spend his time in pious affecftions; but, having afterward learned the great efficacy of prayer, he endeavored generally to employ himself in petitions to God. Let us always do the same. We have a God who loves us to excess, and who is solicitous for our salvation, and therefore He is always ready to hear all who ask His graces. The princes of the earth, says St. Chrysostom, give audience only to a few; but God gives audience to all who wish for it."
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