553. What are the different forms of the prayer of petition? 558. What are the sources of Christian prayer? 560. What is the way of our prayer?

552. How can adoration be defined?

Adoration is the humble acknowledgement by human beings that they are creatures of the thrice-holy Creator.

Further reading: CCC 2628

553. What are the different forms of the prayer of petition?

It can be a petition for pardon or also a humble and trusting petition for all our needs either spiritual or material. The first thing to ask for, however, is the coming of the Kingdom.

Further reading: CCC 2629-2633, 2646

554. In what does the prayer of intercession consist?

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.

Further reading: CCC 2634-2636, 2647

555. When is thanksgiving given to God?

The Church gives thanks to God unceasingly, above all in celebrating the Eucharist in which Christ allows her to participate in his own thanksgiving to the Father. For the Christian every event becomes a reason for giving thanks.

Further reading: CCC 2637-2638, 2648

556. What is the prayer of praise?

Praise is that form of prayer which recognizes most immediately that God is God. It is a completely disinterested prayer: it sings God's praise for his own sake and gives him glory simply because he is.

Further reading: CCC 2639-2643, 2649

557. What is the importance of Tradition in regard to prayer?

In the Church it is through living Tradition that the Holy Spirit teaches the children of God how to pray. In fact prayer cannot be reduced to the spontaneous outpouring of an interior impulse; rather it implies contemplation, study and a grasp of the spiritual realities one experiences.

Further reading: CCC 2650-2651

558. What are the sources of Christian prayer?

They are: the Word of God which gives us "the surpassing knowledge" of Christ (Philippians 3:8); the Liturgy of the Church that proclaims, makes present and communicates the mystery of salvation; the theological virtues; and everyday situationsbecause in them we can encounter God.

"I love you, Lord, and the only grace I ask is to love you eternally...My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love you, I want my heart to repeat it to you as often as I draw breath." (The Curé of Ars, Saint John Mary Vianney)


Further reading: CCC 2652-2662

559. In the Church are there different ways of praying?

In the Church there are various ways of praying that are tied to different historical, social and cultural contexts. The Magisterium of the Church has the task of discerning the fidelity of these way of praying to the tradition of apostolic faith. It is for pastors and catechists to explain their meaning which is always related to Jesus Christ.

Further reading: CCC 2663

560. What is the way of our prayer?

The way of our prayer is Christ because prayer is directed to God our Father but reaches him only if we pray - at least implicitly - in the name of the Jesus. His humanity is in effect the only way by which the Holy Spirit teaches us to pray to our Father. Therefore liturgical prayers conclude with the formula: "through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Further reading: CCC 2664, 2680-2681