Day 350: Persevering in Prayer

The revelation of prayer in the economy of salvation teaches us that faith rests on God's action in history. Our filial trust is enkindled by his supreme act: the Passion and Resurrection of his Son. Christian prayer is cooperation with his providence, his plan of love for men. CCC 2738

In today's reading, the Catechism finishes up with filial trust in prayer, as well as the main focus on persevering in prayer. Through prayer, we not only express that filial trust in God, but constant prayer transforms our hearts. Christ is the model who prays with and in us, making "Christian prayer an efficacious petition" (CCC 2740). More than once, St. Paul exhorts us to pray constantly, "giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father" (Eph 5:20). We need to pray constantly because it is a vital necessity as adopted sons of God, and without it "we fall back into the slavery of sin" (CCC 2744). In fact, "prayer and Christian life are inseparable" because of our need for God, the love we have for Him, and the trust we have in Him through Jesus Christ (CCC 2745).

The Catechism Compendium comments that it is always possible to pray always:

Praying is always possible because the time of the Christian is the time of the risen Christ who remains “with us always” (Matthew 28:20). Prayer and Christian life are therefore inseparable:

“It is possible to offer frequent and fervent prayer even at the marketplace or strolling alone. It is possible also in your place of business, while buying or selling, or even while cooking.” (St. John Chrysostom) (#576)

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

God wants us to pray because, in his goodness, he wants our participation. Time spent in prayer allows us to get to know God's heart and become more like him. The way Jesus prayed is a guide for us, showing the importance of aligning our hearts with God, who bestows what is good... We cannot live a truly Christian life without prayer. (p. 216)