October 15, 2013 – Catechism 2734 – 2741

Efficacious - capable of having the desired result or effect; effective as a means, measure, remedy.  So, we are talking about how our prayer can be effective and have the desired result.  Many get frustrated with prayer because they don’t feel they get what they ask for, they don’t believe they are heard.  That is obviously not the case.  God knows what you are going to ask before you do.  So, it is not about being heard, it is about our faith in being heard.  I never thought about it, but we don’t usually care if God hears our prayer of praise or thanksgiving.  We really only care about being heard when we are asking for something, petitioning God.

Our prayer can only be effective with the help of God.  Prayer united with Christ is how it is effective.  “All our petitions were gathered up, once for all, in his cry on the Cross and, in His Resurrection.”  Think about that.  Not only does God know what we need and what our prayer will be, but He has already offered our petition to God on our behalf from the Cross and through the Resurrection.  That should make us so humble when we pray and we should fully acknowledge that God knows what we are asking for.  How could we ever go to God in arrogance for our petitions.  How can God answer a petitions given in that manner.