487 PRAYER OF PETITION II

YOUCAT Lesson 487

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

487  Why should we petition God for other people?

As Abraham intervened by his prayer for the inhabitants of Sodom, as Jesus prayed for his disciples, and as the early Christian community looked “not only to (their) own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4), so too Christians always pray for everyone—for people who are dear to their hearts, for people who are not close to them, and even for their enemies. [2634-2636, 2647]

This box is printed in our parish Sunday Bulletin each week.  I do not know most of these people by name but I do seek out this list with prayerful intent.  …..487

On a broader scale, the intentions Jesus asks to bring to Him in the Divine Mercy nine day novena are:  “All mankind, especially sinners… the souls of priests and religious… all devout and faithful souls… those who do not believe in God and who do not yet know Me… the souls of those who have separated themselves from My church… the meek and humble souls and the souls of little children… the souls who especially venerate and glorify My mercy… the souls who are detained in purgatory… and, souls who have become lukewarm.” –St Maria Faustina  Kowalska, Diary 1209-1229

The more a person learns to pray, the more profoundly he realizes that he has ties to a spiritual family through which the power of prayer is made effective.  With all my concern for the people whom I love, I stand in the midst of the family of mankind and may receive strength from the prayers of others and may call down divine assistance for others. 477

“…Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us.  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?”  Romans 8:34-35

“To intercede means to send someone an angel.”  Martin Luther (1483-1546)

“There must be people who pray even for those who never pray.”  Victor Hugo (1802-1885, French writer

[2634-2636, 2647]

PRAYER OF INTERCESSION

2634 Intercession is a prayer of petition which leads us to pray as Jesus did. He is the one intercessor with the Father on behalf of all men, especially sinners.( Compare Romans 8:34; 1 John 2:1; 1 Timothy 2:5-8.)¹¹² He is "able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."( Hebrews 7:25.)¹¹³ The Holy Spirit "himself intercedes for us . . . and intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”( Romans 8:26-27.)¹¹⁴

 -- --CCC

2635 Since Abraham, intercession - asking on behalf of another has been characteristic of a heart attuned to God's mercy. In the age of the Church, Christian intercession participates in Christ's, as an expression of the communion of saints. In intercession, he who prays looks "not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others," even to the point of praying for those who do him harm.( Philippians 2:4; compare Acts of the Apostles 7:60; Luke 23:28,34.)¹¹⁵ –CCC

2636 The first Christian communities lived this form of fellowship intensely.( Compare Acts of the Apostles 12:5; Acts 20:36; Acts 21:5; 2 Corinthians 9:14.)¹¹⁶ Thus the Apostle Paul gives them a share in his ministry of preaching the Gospel(Compare Ephesians 6:18-20; Colossians 4:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 5:25.)¹¹⁷ but also intercedes for them.( Compare 2 Thessalonians 1:11; Colossians 1:3; Philippians 1:3-4.)¹¹⁸ The intercession of Christians recognizes no boundaries: "for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions," for persecutors, for the salvation of those who reject the Gospel.( 2 Timothy 2:1; compare Romans 12:14; Rom 10:1.)¹¹⁹ –CCC

IN BRIEF

2647 Prayer of intercession consists in asking on behalf of another. It knows no boundaries and extends to one's enemies. –CCC