[HarleyD]

While we may appreciate Mary beautiful prayer, she reminds us of her need for a Savior. Her prayer is an illustration of her faith. And she came to faith just like everyone else, all prior to her prayer, even before the angel appeared to her.

And when exactly she was given her faith is irrelevant. Other great people in scripture such as Samuel, Samson, or even John the Baptist were endowned with the Holy Spirit prior to birth. But it makes no difference when we arrive at faith. As Paul states to the Galatians, he was chosen from his mother's womb, although it was many years later when God granted him faith. So are we all chosen from the womb and, as Mary stated, we are all blessed. It's all about timing as to when God will open our eyes and ears giving us His faith. Just like everyone else, Mary was given her faith based upon the mercy and grace of the Father at the appointed time.

We are reminded of the wisdom of Augustine who clearly saw this in the scriptures and reasoning:

Or if God does not make men willing who were not willing, on what principle does the Church pray, according to the Lord's commandment, for her persecutors? For thus also the blessed Cyprian14 would have it to be understood that we say, "Thy will be done, as in heaven so in earth,"—that is, as in those who have already believed, and who are, as it were, heaven, so also in those who do not believe, and on this account are still the earth. What, then, do we pray for on behalf of those who are unwilling to believe, except that God would work in them to will also? Certainly the apostle says, "Brethren, my heart's good will, indeed, and my prayer to God for them, is for their salvation." [Rom. 10.1.] He prays for those who do not believe,—for what, except that they may believe?

Faith, then, as well in its beginning as in its completion, is God's gift; and let no one have any doubt whatever, unless he desires to resist the plainest sacred writings, that this gift is given to some, while to some it is not given.

- Augustine, A Treatise on the Predestination of the Saints

As the blessed Augustine points out, what is the sense in praying that others come to salvation, if it is not given to us by the Father. And we pray that God will work His will in other's lives so that we may see and rejoice in His salvation-just like Mary. But this has all been done according to His plan.

Faith is a gift given to us from heaven, and we all obtain it in exactly the same way. Including Mary.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Lovely post, Harleyd!

As the blessed Augustine points out, what is the sense in praying that others come to salvation, if it is not given to us by the Father. And we pray that God will work His will in other's lives so that we may see and rejoice in His salvation-just like Mary. But this has all been done according to His plan.

Faith is a gift given to us from heaven, and we all obtain it in exactly the same way. Including Mary.

AMEN!