Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 493 – Part I.

YOUCAT Question n. 493 – Part I. What are the characteristics of Christian prayer?

(Youcat answer) Christian prayer is prayer in the attitude of faith, hope, and charity. It is persevering and resigns itself to the will of God.

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 2656) One enters into prayer as one enters into liturgy: by the narrow gate of faith. Through the signs of his presence, it is the Face of the Lord that we seek and desire; it is his Word that we want to hear and keep.   

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) Someone who prays as a Christian steps at that moment out of himself and enters into an attitude of trusting faith in the one God and Lord; at the same time he places all his hope in God - that He will hear, understand, accept, and perfect him. St. John Bosco once said, “To know the will of God, three things are required: prayer, waiting, taking counsel.” Finally, Christian prayer is always an expression of love, which comes from Christ’s love and seeks the divine love.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 2657) The Holy Spirit, who instructs us to celebrate the liturgy in expectation of Christ's return, teaches us - to pray in hope. Conversely, the prayer of the Church and personal prayer nourish hope in us. The psalms especially, with their concrete and varied language, teach us to fix our hope in God: "I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry" (Ps 40:2). As St. Paul prayed: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope" (Rom 15:13).   

(This question: What are the characteristics of Christian prayer? is continued)