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Chapter 35. God Calls Us to Pray • 475
1. What are some erroneous conceptions of prayer?
Some people view prayer as a simple psychological activ-
ity, others as an effort of concentration to reach a mental
void. Still others reduce prayer to ritual words and pos-
tures. Many Christians unconsciously regard prayer as an
occupation that is incompatible with all the other things
they have to do. (CCC, no. 2726)
We must respond with humility, trust, and perseverance
to these temptations that cast doubt on the usefulness or
even the possibility of prayer. (CCC, no. 2753)
2. How is prayer connected to Christian life?
Prayer and
Christian life
are
inseparable
, for they concern
the same love and the same renunciation, proceeding
from love; the same filial and loving conformity with the
Father’s plan of love; the same transforming union in the
Holy Spirit who conforms us more and more to Christ
Jesus; the same love for all men, the love with which Jesus
has loved us. (CCC, no. 2745)
3. What should we remember when our prayers
seem unanswered?
Do not be troubled if you do not receive immediately
from God what you ask him; for he desires to do some-
thing even greater for you, while you cling to him in
prayer. (CCC, no. 2737, citing Evagrius Ponticus,
De
Oratione
, 34: PG 79, 1173)
Filial trust is put to the test when we feel that our prayer
is not always heard. The Gospel invites us to ask ourselves
about the conformity of our prayer to the desire of the
Spirit. (CCC, no. 2756)
FROM THE CATECHISM