Lent

Jesus, by his actions, taught us all the ABCs of praying

By Patricia Kasten
Compass Associate Editor

	A Compass Lenten series

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2626-2643), five forms of prayer have been given to us through scriptural tradition. These are Blessing and Adoration, Petition, Intercession, Thanksgiving and Praise.

We have learned various ways to remember these prayer forms. For example, in first grade, Bp. David Zubik learned the acronym ALTAR:

A - Adoration

L - Love

	L e n t
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T - Thanks

A - Ask

R - Repair.

Others learned about ACTS:

A - Adoration (combining Blessing, Adoration and Praise)

C - Contrition

T - Thanks

S - Supplication (combining Petition and Intercession)

Bp. Robert Morneau remembers the forms of prayer as "Wow, Whoops, Please and Thank You."

However you remember the forms of prayer, it helps to know how other "expert pray-ers" use them. And there is no more expert prayer leader than Jesus Christ. So how did Jesus "teach us to pray," using these forms?

Blessing and Adoration: The Catechism calls this form of praying an encounter between a person and God, where God's gifts and our acceptance unite (n. 2626). For Jesus, this form of prayer often involved withdrawing to enter more fully into God's presence. So "he went off to the mountain to pray" (Mk 6:46).

Petition: This prayer form focuses on supplication and involves us, heart and soul, in turning to God. We see this no more clearly then when Jesus prays in the garden. "Abba Father, all things are possible to you. Take this cup away from me, but not what I will but what you will" (Mk 14:36).

Forgiveness: Asking forgiveness is another form of petition. While Jesus never needed to repair his relationship with God, we do. And he taught us how. One way is the petition of the Prodigal Son: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you" (Lk 15:21). (And the father's response reveals God's loving concern for all who turn to him contritely: "this child of mine was dead and has come to life again."

Intercession. Jesus did this - and continues to intercede for us - all the time, but never more so than on the cross: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Lk 23:34).

Thanksgiving. One example from Jesus came as he raised Lazarus from the dead. "Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me" (Jn 12:41-42).

Praise: Jesus' entire existence is one act of worship and praise to the Father. He taught us to strive to do the same, when he taught us to pray daily: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name" (Mt 6:9).