536. How is Abraham a model of prayer? (part 1)
(Comp 536) Abraham is a model of prayer because he walked in the presence of God,
heard and obeyed him. His prayer was a battle of faith because he continued to
believe in the fidelity of God even in times of trial. Besides, after having
received in his own tent the visit of the Lord who confided his plan to him,
Abraham dared to intercede for sinners with bold confidence.
“In brief”
(CCC 2592) The prayer of
Abraham and Jacob is presented as a battle of faith marked by trust in God's
faithfulness and by certitude in the victory promised to perseverance.
To deepen and
explain
(CCC 2570) When God calls
him, Abraham goes forth "as the Lord had told him" (Gen 12:4);
Abraham's heart is entirely submissive to the Word and so he obeys. Such
attentiveness of the heart, whose decisions are made according to God's will,
is essential to prayer, while the words used count only in relation to it.
Abraham's prayer is expressed first by deeds: a man of silence, he constructs
an altar to the Lord at each stage of his journey. Only later does Abraham's
first prayer in words appear: a veiled complaint reminding God of his promises
which seem unfulfilled (Cf. Gen 15:2 f). Thus one aspect of the drama of prayer
appears from the beginning: the test of faith in the fidelity of God.
Reflection
(CCC 2571) Because Abraham
believed in God and walked in his presence and in covenant with him (Cf. Gen
15:6; 17:1 f.), the patriarch is ready to welcome a mysterious Guest into his
tent. Abraham's remarkable hospitality at Mamre foreshadows the annunciation of
the true Son of the promise (Cf. Gen 18:1-15; Lk 1:26-38). After that, once God
had confided his plan, Abraham's heart is attuned to his Lord's compassion for
men and he dares to intercede for them with bold confidence (Cf. 18:16-33). [IT CONTINUES]
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