510 PRAY ALWAYS

AVE MARIA

YOUCAT Lesson 510

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

510  Is it possible to pray always?

Prayer is always possible.  Prayer is vitally necessary.  Prayer and life cannot be separated.  [2742-2745, 2757]

You cannot keep God content with a few words in the morning or evening.  Our life must become prayer, and our prayers must become life.  Every Christian life story is also a story of prayer, one long attempt to achieve ever greater union with God.  Because many Christians experience a heartfelt longing to be with God constantly, they turn to the so-called “Jesus prayer”, which has been an age-old custom particularly in the Eastern Churches.  The person who prays it tries to integrate a simple formula—the most well-known formula is “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner”—into his daily routine in such a way that it becomes a constant prayer.

“Reflect that God is there among the pots and pans and that he stands at your side in your interior and exterior duties.”  St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)

[2742-2745, 2757]

PERSEVERING IN LOVE

2742 "Pray constantly . . . always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father."( 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Ephesians 5:20.)³³ St. Paul adds, "Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance making supplication for all the saints."( Ephesians 6:18.)³⁴ For "we have not been commanded to work, to keep watch and to fast constantly, but it has been laid down that we are to pray without ceasing."( Evagrius Ponticus, Pract. 49:Patrologia Graeca 40,1245C.)³⁵ This tireless fervor can come only from love. Against our dullness and laziness, the battle of prayer is that of humble, trusting, and persevering love. This love opens our hearts to three enlightening and life-giving facts of faith about prayer.  –CCC

2743 It is always possible to pray: The time of the Christian is that of the risen Christ who is with us always, no matter what tempests may arise.( Compare Matthew 28:20; Luke 8:24.)³⁶ Our time is in the hands of God:  --CCC

It is possible to offer fervent prayer even while walking in public or strolling alone, or seated in your shop, . . . while buying or selling, . . . or even while cooking.( St. John Chrysostom, Ecloga de oratione 2:Patrologia Graeca 63,585.)³⁷ –CCC

2744 Prayer is a vital necessity. Proof from the contrary is no less convincing: if we do not allow the Spirit to lead us, we fall back into the slavery of sin.( Compare Galatians 5:16-25.)³⁸ How can the Holy Spirit be our life if our heart is far from him?  --CCC

Nothing is equal to prayer; for what is impossible it makes possible, what is difficult, easy. . . . For it is impossible, utterly impossible, for the man who prays eagerly and invokes God ceaselessly ever to sin.( St. John Chrysostom, De Anna 4,5:Patrologia Graeca 54,666.)³⁹ –CCC

Those who pray are certainly saved; those who do not pray are certainly damned.( St. Alphonsus Liguori, Del gran Mezzo della preghiera.)⁴⁰ –CCC

2745 Prayer and Christian life are inseparable, for they concern the same love and the same renunciation, proceeding from love; the same filial and loving conformity with the Father's plan of love; the same transforming union in the Holy Spirit who conforms us more and more to Christ Jesus; the same love for all men, the love with which Jesus has loved us. "Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he [will] give it to you. This I command you, to love one another."( John 15:16-17.)⁴¹ –CCC

He "prays without ceasing" who unites prayer to works and good works to prayer. Only in this way can we consider as realizable the principle of praying without ceasing.( Origen, De orat. 12:Patrologia Graeca 11,452c.)⁴² –CCC

IN BRIEF

2757 "Pray constantly" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). It is always possible to pray. It is even a vital necessity. Prayer and Christian life are inseparable.