The Teaching of Jesus
From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified
Conversion and Faith (2607-2609)
Jesus also gave explicit teaching on prayer. First, Jesus revealed the newness of the coming kingdom in parables. Then he spoke clearly to the disciples of the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Jesus insisted on conversion of heart, reconciliation with brothers, and love for enemies. We should pray in secret without multiplying words, and seek first the kingdom in a filial conversion to the Father.
This conversion leads to faith, an adherence to the Father to whom we have access through the Son.
Boldness and Watchfulness (2610-2612)
Jesus taught filial boldness. "Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you receive it, and you will" (Mk 11:24). Jesus was saddened by "lack of faith," but was heartened by the great faith of the Centurion (Mt 8:10) and the Canaanite woman (Mt 15:28).
Prayer in faith consists not in saying "Lord, Lord" but in doing the Father's will.
Prayer is a watchfulness, in memory of Jesus' first coming and in hope of Jesus' second coming. Prayer is always a battle, much needed to avoid falling into temptation.
Three Parables (2613)
St. Luke gives the three parables on prayer:
- The man who borrowed loaves from his friend late at night (Lk 11:5-13). This shows the Father will give the Holy Spirit to all who ask.
- The widow who wanted justice from the judge (Lk 18:1-8). This teaches us to pray without ceasing.
- The tax collector's prayer in the temple (Lk 18:9-14). This shows the need for humility.
Prayer after Jesus' Ascension (2614-2615)
Jesus revealed a new way to pray. We must "ask in his name" because through Jesus we have access to the Father. In this new Covenant, we have certitude in our petitions.
When our prayer is united to Jesus, the Father gives us "another Paraclete, the spirit of truth" (Jn 14:16-17). In his final discourse, Jesus stressed this new dimension of prayer. "Hitherto, you have asked nothing in my name" (Jn 16:24).
Jesus Responds to Prayer (2616)
In his earthly ministry, Jesus answered prayers of faith expressed in words (as the leper, Jairus, the Canaanite woman, the good thief) and the prayer of faith made in silence (the woman with the hemorrhage, the bearers of the paralytic, the woman who anointed his feet). The urgent prayer of the blind man (Mt 9:27) has become the Jesus Prayer "Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Jesus always responded to faith. "Jesus prays for us as our priest, prays in us as our Head, and is prayed to by us as our God" (St. Augustine).
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