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The Catechism in Questions & Answers
- Introduction
- Contents
- 715. What do we mean when we talk about prayer?
- 716. Is praying necessary?
- 717. What references are there to prayer in the Old Testament?
- 718. What instructions did Jesus give concerning prayer?
- 719. What does the Bible relate about the prayer life of Jesus?
- 720. What is the “intercessory prayer”?
- 721. What do we know about the prayers of the early Christians?
- 722. How are we to pray?
- 723. What is the content of a prayer?
- 724. What is the source of adoration and worship?
- 725. For what things do we express our thanks when we pray?
- 726. What petitions do we bring before God?
- 727. Why do we intercede for others?
- 728. What are the effects of prayer?
- 729. What do we mean when we talk about the “willingness to offer and sacrifice”?
- 730. What do people generally mean when they talk about “offerings and sacrifices”?
- 731. How do we understand our sacrifices?
- 732. What was the significance of sacrifice in the old covenant?
- 733. What is the significance of sacrifice in the new covenant?
- 734. Who is the greatest example of willingness to sacrifice?
- 735. What is the basis for our willingness to sacrifice?
- 736. How is willingness to sacrifice demonstrated in congregational life?
- 737. What is a spiritual sacrifice?
- 738. What is the relationship between sacrifice and blessing?
- 739. What is marriage?
- 740. What can we derive from the account of creation concerning marriage?
- 741. What is the significance of the wedding blessing?
- 742. What significance does the Christian faith have for the success of the marriage?
- 743. What is the significance of sex in marriage?
- 744. What is the New Apostolic Church’s position on family planning?
- 745. What is the New Apostolic Church’s position on fulfilling one’s obligations in one’s profession and society?
- 746. How does the New Apostolic Church perceive its responsibility to society?
- 747. Do New Apostolic Christians participate in public life?
- 748. What is the position of the New Apostolic Church toward the state?
- 749. How is the relationship of the New Apostolic Church with other churches, denominations, and religions?
- 750. What is the social commitment of the New Apostolic Church?
721. What do we know about the prayers of the early Christians?
The early Christians practised communal prayer: “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers” (Acts 1: 14).
Accounts of intensive prayers are also recorded in association with significant events, for example the choosing of Matthias as an Apostle or the ordination of the first seven Deacons.
The Apostles were also accompanied by the prayers of the congregation in situations of danger (cf. Acts 12: 1-12).
Deacons: see Question 470.
“But we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Acts 6: 4