Catechism of the Catholic Church

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2849 Such a battle and such a victory become possible only through prayer. It is by his prayer that Jesus vanquishes the tempter, both at the outset of his public mission and in the ultimate struggle of his agony. ¹⁵⁹ In this petition to our heavenly Father, Christ unites us to his battle and his agony. He urges us to vigilance of the heart in communion with his own. Vigilance is "custody of the heart," and Jesus prayed for us to the Father: "Keep them in your name." ¹⁶⁰ The Holy Spirit constantly seeks to awaken us to keep watch. ¹⁶¹ Finally, this petition takes on all its dramatic meaning in relation to the last temptation of our earthly battle; it asks for final perseverance. "Lo, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is he who is awake." ¹⁶²

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PART FOUR: CHRISTIAN PRAYER

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SECTION TWO: THE LORD'S PRAYER: "OUR FATHER!"

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ARTICLE 3: THE SEVEN PETITIONS

Notes for the above paragraph:

159 Cf. Mt 4:1-11; 26:36-44.

160 Jn 17:11; Cf. Mk 13:9, 23, 33-37; 14:38; Lk 12:35-40.

161 Cf. I Cor 16:13; I Col 4:2; I Thess 5:6; I Pet 5:8.

162 Rev 16:15.

English Translation of the Cathechism of the Catholic Church for the United States of America © 1997, United States Catholic Conference, Inc.

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