Part Four: Christian Prayer › Section One of Part Four: Prayer in the Christian Life ›› CHAPTER 1: The Revelation of Prayer: The Universal Call to Prayer ››› Article 1: In the Old Testament ›››› IN BRIEF

Questions and Answers

2656. What is prayer? (CCC 2590) Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God.
2657. What is the beginning of prayer? (CCC 2591) The beginning of prayer is God who tirelessly calls each person.
2658. What Old Testament figure shows that prayer is a battle? (CCC 2592) Jacob shows through his nightly struggle with the angel that prayer is a battle.
2659. What does Moses’ intercessory prayer foreshadow? (CCC 2593) Moses’ intercessory prayer foreshadows the prayer of intercession of the unique mediator, Christ Jesus.
2660. What is the Old Testament house of prayer? (CCC 2594) The Temple in Jerusalem is the Old Testament house of prayer.
2661. What was the double function of the prophets regarding prayer? (CCC 2595) The double function of the prophets regarding prayer was:
1. to summon the people to conversion of heart
2. to intercede for the people.
2662. What is the masterwork of prayer in the Old Testament? (CCC 2596) The masterwork of prayer in the Old Testament are the Psalms.
2663. Why are the Psalms essential to the prayer of the Church? (CCC 2597) The Psalms are essential to the prayer of the Church, because they are prayed and fulfilled in Christ.