13. By granting a request, God frequently aims to reward the intent, the devotion and the faith of the one who prays; that is why the prayer of a good person is more meritorious in God’s eyes and always more effective, because a corrupt and evil person cannot pray with the fervor and trust that come solely from a sentiment of true piety. From the heart of a selfish person who prays only with the lips only words will come out and not the impulses of charity that give prayer all its power. One understands this so clearly that, by an instinctive reaction, we prefer to commend ourselves  to the prayers of those in whom we perceive a conduct that must be pleasing to God, sensing they are more readily heard.

14. If prayer exerts a sort of magnetic action, one might suppose that its effect is dependent on the fluidic power – however, this is not the case. Since spirits exert this action on humans, spirits make up for the insufficiency of those who pray, when necessary, whether by acting directly in their name, or by momentarily giving them exceptional strength, when they are deemed worthy of such a favor or if it may be useful.

People who do not think they are good enough to exert a healthful influence should not abstain from praying for others by thinking they are not worthy of being heard. The awareness of their unworthiness  is a demonstration of humility, which is always agreeable to God, who takes into account the charitable intent that animates them. Their fervor and trust in God are a first step in the return to goodness, for which good spirits are happy to encourage them. Prayers that are rejected are those of the proud, who have faith in their own power and worthiness, and who think they can replace the will of the Eternal One.

15. The power of prayer is in the thought; it is connected neither to the words, the place nor the time in which it is done. Hence, one can pray anywhere and at any time, alone or in a group. The influence of the place or time is connected with the circumstances that may favor introspection. Prayer in a group  is more powerful when all those who pray are joined by the same heartfelt thought and have the same purpose because  it is as if they all speak in one voice and in unison; but what does it matter to be gathered in a large number if each person acts alone and for his or her own benefit! One hundred persons together can pray selfishly, whereas two or three joined in a common aspiration may pray like true brothers and sisters in God, and their prayer will have more power than the other hundreds’.