23. Prayer     230  

Throughout the Bible, Prayer is inseparable from action. The models of prayer are those who lead God’s people. Moses’ intercession for Israel (Ex 17:8; 32:11; 33:12; Num 11:11; 14:13). Moses gives us a pattern for intercession: he reminds God of His faithfulness; His own honor forces Him not to abandon Israel, but rather to forgive Israel. The prayer of David (2 S 7:18), Solomon (1 K 8:22-60), Hezekiah (2 K 19:15); Judas Maccabeus (1 Mac 5:33; 11:71; 2 Mac 8:29; 15:21), Esther (4:16); Judith (9:2). Penitential prayer of Ezra (9:6), Nehemiah (1:4), and Daniel (3:26; 9:4).

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The prayer of intercession is peculiar to the prophets: their word and prayer bring about and prevent events. Thus Abraham, called prophets because of his power of intercession: (Gen 20:7) praying for Sodom (Gen 18:22). Likewise, Elijah (1 K 18:36), Amos (7:1), Jeremiah (10:23; 14:7; 37:3). The prophets feel divided between compassion for their chastised people (Jer 14:19; 8:18; Ezk 9:8) and zeal for God betrayed (Jer 2:3; Ezk 16). Their prayer is a confrontation with God (Num 17:6; Ezk 3:5; 22:30).

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Prayer is also the prophets’ ongoing dialogue with God at the very root of their call (Ex 4:5. 22; 17:4; Jer 12:1; 15:10; 20:7), coming face to face with God (Ex 33:18; 1 K 19:9).

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The Psalms are the prayer book of God’s people. Prayer flows from the very needs of the one who implores, not asking for heavenly things, but for the concrete help needed in this precise moment. Yet prayer is always forgetting self in order to praise God; Ps 47; 81, 89, 95, 98, 113, 117, 135, never forgetting that one’s well-being is in God, asking to see God and to dwell in His house (Ps 16:2-3; 27:7; 63:2; 65:5; 73:24).

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Jesus prays (Mk 1:35; Mt 11:25; Lk 22:32; 23:33; Jn 11:42) especially before making important decisions (Lk 3:21; 6:12; 9:18, 29; 23:46; Mk 14:36; Jn 8:29) See also Heb 5:7; 7:25. Jesus works His miracles for those who aske Him with faith (Lk 7:1; Mk 10:46) and who persevere until he attends to them (Mt 7:7-11). He tells us that this is the way to ask from the Father (Lk 11:5-13; Mk 9:23; 11:22). But He also teaches us to ask first the Father’s will be done (Mt 6:10; 7:21; 12:50; Jn 4:34; 7:17). He tells us what we should ask of the Father and how to ask for it: the Our Father (Mt 6:9; Lk 11:1 and also Mt 6:5).

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The prayer of the early Church. In the Temple of the Jews (Lk 24:53; Acts 3:1; 5:12) with hands lifted up (1 Tim 2:8) or kneeling (Acts 9:40). Community prayer (Acts 1:14; see Mt 18:19) in difficult situations (Acts 4:24; 6:6; 12:5).

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Paul’s letters include invitation to pray (Eph 6:18; Col 1:3; 1 Thes 5:17; Rom 15:30; 1 Cor 7:15; 1 Tim 2:1; 5:5) and spontaneous thanksgiving (Rom 8:31; 11:33; 16:25; 2 Cor 1:3 Eph 1). For him the prayer of intercession is a struggle (see 231, Rom 15:30; Phil 1:30; Cor 4:12; and com. on Col 2:1; see also com. on Gen 32:23). There is always a balance between supplication and thanksgiving (Phil 4:6).

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Prayer in the name of Jesus is lifting for one who share Jesus’ mission and allows his Spirit to guide him (Jn 14:12-13; 16:23). It is the perfect prayer of one who has achieved self-renunciation; it is not guided by human greed (James 4:3) but inspired by the Spirit of adopted sons and daughters (Rom 8:15.26). This prayer is addressed to the Father (Gal 4:60), making us desire with our whole being what the Father wants and what hastens His Kingdom. We ask for specific things (Mt 7:11), but in another sense it is the Holy Spirit for whom we wait (Lk 11:13). This prayer which is always heard brings joy (Jn 16:24).

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Other texts: 1 P 3:7; 4:7; James 1:6; 5:16; Rev 5:8.