The Prayer of Jesus

From the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Simplified

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A Filial Prayer (2599)

In his human heart Jesus learned to pray from his mother, from the synagogue, and the Jerusalem temple. At 12, Jesus said "I must be in my Father's house" (Lk 2:49). This reveals a filial prayer which the Father wants from his children.

Prayer at Three Decisive Moments (2600)

Before his three decisive moments (Baptism, Transfiguration, and Passion) Jesus prayed. He also prayed before three other decisive moments involving the apostles (his choosing them, his commissioning Peter, and his prayer that Peter's faith would not fail).

Jesus at Prayer (2601-2602)

Jesus prayed in solitude, preferably at night. He prayed for all men, and by his prayer shared in all their human experiences. His words and work manifest the prayers which he said in secret.

Two Special Moments (2603-2604)

Two other Gospel texts preserve explicit prayers of Jesus. In the first prayer Jesus blesses the Father and thanks him for revealing "to the childlike." Jesus exclaimed, "Yes, Father!" which prefigured his prayer in the garden, ("Thy will be done").

In his second prayer Jesus prayed, "Father, I thank you for having heard me. I know that you always hear me." This implies that the Father answers Jesus' petitions and that Jesus is always asking. Another prayer of Jesus' (his priestly prayer in John 17) is closely linked with the Our Father.

Selfless Prayer (2605)

Jesus' total selflessness is shown by his prayer in the Garden ("Not my will be done, but yours" (Lk 22:42) and by his final seven words on the cross:

1. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (Lk 23:34).
2. "Today, you will be with me in paradise" (Lk 23:43).
3. "Woman, behold your son." "Behold your mother"(Jn 19:26-27).
4. "I thirst" (Jn 19:28).
5. "My God, my God, why have your forsaken me?" (Mk 15:34).
6. "It is finished" (Jn 19:30).
7. "Father, into your hands, I commit my spirit" (Lk 23:46).

Conclusion of the Prayer Drama (2606)

Jesus sums up all the troubles of enslaved humanity. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? (Mk 15:37). When the Father accepted these prayers and raised Jesus, the drama of prayer was brought to completion. Psalm 2 gives the key to Christ's prayer. "You are my Son, today (the Resurrection day) I have begotten you. Ask of me and I will make the nations your heritage" (Ps 2:7-8).

While Jesus was "in the flesh" he offered prayers which were heard by the Father. By obedience, he was made perfect and "became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him" (Heb 5:7-9).

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