554. In what does the prayer of intercession consist?
(Comp 554) Intercession consists in
asking on behalf of another. It conforms us and unites us to the prayer of
Jesus who intercedes with the Father for all, especially sinners. Intercession
must extend even to one’s enemies.
“In brief”
(CCC 2647) Prayer of intercession consists in asking on
behalf of another. It knows no boundaries and extends to one's enemies.
To deepen and explain
(CCC 2634) Intercession is a prayer of petition which leads
us to pray as Jesus did. He is the one intercessor with the Father on behalf of
all men, especially sinners (Cf. Rom 8:34; 1 Jn 2:1; 1 Tim 2:5-8). He is
"able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since
he always lives to make intercession for them" (Heb 7:25). The Holy Spirit
"himself intercedes for us… and intercedes for the saints according to the
will of God" (Rom 8:26-27). (CCC 2635) Since Abraham, intercession -
asking on behalf of another - has been characteristic of a heart attuned to
God's mercy. In the age of the Church, Christian intercession participates in
Christ's, as an expression of the communion of saints. In intercession, he who
prays looks "not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of
others," even to the point of praying for those who do him harm (Phil 2:4;
cf. Acts 7:60; Lk 23:28, 34).
Reflection
(CCC 2636) The first Christian communities lived this form
of fellowship intensely (Cf. Acts 12:5; 20:36; 21:5; 2 Cor 9:14). Thus the
Apostle Paul gives them a share in his ministry of preaching the Gospel (Cf.
Eph 6:18-20; Col 4:3-4; 1 Thess 5:25) but also intercedes for them (Cf. 2 Thess 1:11; Col 1:3; Phil 1:3-4). The
intercession of Christians recognizes no boundaries: "for all men, for
kings and all who are in high positions," for persecutors, for the
salvation of those who reject the Gospel (2 Tim 2:1; cf. Rom 12:14; 10:1).
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