YOUCAT Question n. 478 - Part II. Why can we be confident that our prayer is heard by God?
(Youcat
answer - repeated) Many people called on Jesus during his earthly life for
healing, and their prayers were answered. Jesus, who rose from the dead,
listens to our petitions and brings them to the Father.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 2615)
Even more, what the Father gives us when our prayer is united with that of
Jesus is "another Counselor, to be with you for ever, even the Spirit of
truth" (Jn 14:16-17). This new dimension of prayer and of its
circumstances is displayed throughout the farewell discourse (Cf. Jn 14:23-26;
15:7, 16; 16:13-15; 16:23-27). In the Holy Spirit, Christian prayer is a
communion of love with the Father, not only through Christ but also in him: "Hitherto you have asked
nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be
full"(Jn 16:24).
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) Even today we know the name of the synagogue
official: Jairus was the name of the man who begged Jesus for help, and his
prayer was answered. His little daughter was deathly ill. No one could help
her. Jesus not only healed his little girl, he even raised her from the dead
(Mk 5:21-43). Jesus worked a whole series of well-attested cures. He performed
signs and miracles. The lame, the lepers, and the blind did not ask Jesus in
vain. There are testimonies also of prayers answered by all the saints of the
Church. Many Christians can tell stories of how they called to God and God
heard their prayer. God, however, is not an automat. We must leave it up to him
how he will answer our petitions.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 2621)
In his teaching, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray with a purified heart,
with lively and persevering faith, with filial boldness. He calls them to
vigilance and invites them to present their petitions to God in his name. Jesus
Christ himself answers prayers addressed to him.
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