Part Four: Christian Prayer › Section One of Part Four: Prayer in the Christian Life ›› CHAPTER 2: The Tradition of Prayer ››› Article 2: The Way of Prayer

› IN BRIEF

Questions and Answers

2721. What is the task of the Magisterium concerning the different ways of prayer? (CCC 2663) The task of the Magisterium concerning the different ways of prayer is to discern their fidelity to the tradition of apostolic faith.
The Magisterium is the teaching office of the Church.
2722. When only does prayer have access to the Father? (CCC 2664) Prayer only has access to the Father, when we pray in the name of Christ.
2723. What is the one name that contains everything? (CCC 2666) The one name that contains everything is the name of Jesus.
2724. How did the invocation of Jesus’ name develop in the East? (CCC 2667) The invocation of Jesus’ name developed in the East in the Jesus prayer.
“Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!”
2725. What is the simplest way of praying always? (CCC 2668) The simplest way of praying always is the invocation of the holy name of Jesus.
2726. What devotions are connected to the person of Jesus Christ? (CCC 2669) The devotions connected to the person of Jesus Christ are the veneration of His Holy Heart and His Holy Name and the Way of the Cross.
2727. How does the Holy Spirit draw us on the way of prayer? (CCC 2670) The Holy Spirit draws us on the way of prayer by His prevenient grace.
2728. What is the traditional form of petition for the Holy Spirit? (CCC 2671) The traditional form of petition for the Holy Spirit is to invoke the Father through Christ to give us the Holy Spirit.
2729. What is the simplest and most direct prayer to the Holy Spirit? (CCC 2671) The simplest and most direct prayer to the Holy Spirit is: “Come, Holy Spirit!”
2730. Who is the interior master of Christian prayer? (CCC 2672) The interior master of Christian prayer is the Holy Spirit.
2731. Why do we pray in communion with the holy Mother of God? (CCC 2674) We pray in communion with the holy Mother of God, because she:
1. shows the way (Greek: hodigítria)
2. is “the Sign” of the way.
2732. What are the two great themes in the prayer to Our Lady? (CCC 2675) The two great themes in the prayer to Our Lady are:
1. the praise of the Lord for what He did for Our Lady and all men
2. the entrustment of the Church’s prayer to Our Lady.
2733. What is the most important prayer to Our Lady? (CCC 2676) The most important prayer to Our Lady is the Ave Maria.
2734. What Marian prayer is a popular substitute for the Liturgy of the Hours? (CCC 2678) The rosary is a popular substitute for the Liturgy of the Hours.
2735. What is the most popular Marian devotion in the Byzantine Church? (CCC 2678) The most popular Marian devotion in the Byzantine Church is the litany called Akathistos.