Day 335: Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

From the Sermon on the Mount onwards, Jesus insists on conversion of heart: reconciliation with one's brother before presenting an offering on the altar, love of enemies, and prayer for persecutors, prayer to the Father in secret, not heaping up empty phrases, prayerful forgiveness from the depths of the heart, purity of heart, and seeking the Kingdom before all else. This filial conversion is entirely directed to the Father. CCC 2608

In today's reading, the Catechism discusses how Jesus taught us to pray. Most famously, of course, is the Lord's Prayer (Lk 11:1-4), which is short, humble, and centered on God. He is the model example for us in how He prayed: praying in solitude (Mk 1:35), before great events in His public ministry (e.g., Lk 9:28-36), for others like His disciples (Jn 17), submitting His will to the Father at Gethsemane (Lk 22:42), and interceding for His tormentors while enduring great agony on Cross (Lk 23:34). He taught us that sincerity in prayer was more important than show (Mt 6:6), perseverance in prayer (Lk 18:1-8), humility in prayer even if we think we're unworthy due to sin (Lk 18:9-14), and to have total trust in God when we pray (Mt 7:7-11). 

The Catechism Compendium summarizes how Jesus taught us to pray:

Jesus teaches us to pray not only with the Our Father but also when he prays. In this way he teaches us, in addition to the content, the dispositions necessary for every true prayer: purity of heart that seeks the Kingdom and forgives one’s enemies, bold and filial faith that goes beyond what we feel and understand, and watchfulness that protects the disciple from temptation. (#544)

The Catechism Companion Vol III has some good commentary on this:

In Scripture, we watch Jesus, and his prayer becomes the template. His coming before God consistently, regularly, and persistently is an example for all of us... Faith is not just something we hold in our hearts but something that has to be lived... By the power of the Holy Spirit, God is attentive and present to us, and that has to change the way we pray... As the Father's adopted sons and daughters, we get to take our place with the Son. When we pray, we "ask in his name" (CCC 2614). We pray in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and in the name of Jesus. We know that our prayer will be heard and answered in accord with the Father's will. (p. 186)