Matthew 6:8 (WEB)
Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.
Catechism · 3
The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation
“Scripture and the Fathers insist above all on three forms, fasting, prayer, and almsgiving,” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Tob 12:8; Mt 6:1-18.
The Battle of Prayer
“Our Father knows what we need before we ask him,” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 6:8[ETML:C/].
"And in Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord"
“He distinguished his sonship from that of his disciples by never saying "our Father", except to command them: "You, then, pray like this: 'Our Father'", and he emphasized this distinction, saying "my Father and your Father".” — Catechism footnote: Mt 5:48; 6:8-9; 7:21; Lk 11:13; Jn 20:17.
Fathers and councils · 24
Cyril of Jerusalem
“Let us cast all our care upon Him, for our Father knoweth what things we have need of.” — editor's note: 1 Pet. v. 7; Matt. vi. 8.
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Augustine of Hippo
“For we also pray, and yet Truth says, “Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask Him.”” — editor's note: Matt. vi. 8.
Read the whole comment““For your Father knoweth,” says His Word, “what things ye have need of, before you ask Him.”” — editor's note: Matt. vi. 8
Read the whole comment““For your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before ye ask Him.”” — editor's note: Matt. vi. 8.
Read the whole comment“Again, on Matt. vi. on the Lord’s Prayer.” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“Again on the Lord’s Prayer, Matt. vi. To the Competentes.” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“Again, on the Lord’s Prayer, Matt. vi. To the Competentes.” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment“And so when He taught His disciples to pray, and warned them not to use many words in prayer, He saith, “Use not many words; for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask Him.”” — editor's note: Matt. vi. 7, 8.
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John Chrysostom
““For He knoweth,” saith He, “what things ye have need of.”” — editor's note: Matt. vi. 8.
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Tertullian
“Since, however, the Lord, the Foreseer of human necessities, said separately, after delivering His Rule of Prayer, “Ask, and ye shall receive;” and since there are petitions which are made according to the circumstances…” — editor's note: See Matt. vi. 8.
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Cyprian of Carthage
“To those who seek God’s kingdom and righteousness, He promises that all things shall be added.” — editor's note: [Thus the petition covers (1) our spiritual food, John vi. 27; and (2) our bodily sustenance, Matt. vi. 8.]
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
As the hypocrites use to set themselves so as to be seen in their prayers, whose reward is to be acceptable to men; so the Ethnici (that is, the Gentiles) use to think that they shall be heard for their much…
Read the whole comment - John CassianCatena Aurea on Matthew
We should indeed pray often, but in short form, lest if we be long in our prayers, the enemy that lies in wait for us, might suggest something for our thoughts.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Yet to continue long in prayer is not, as some think, what is here meant, by “using many words.” For much speaking is one thing, and an enduring fervency another. For of the Lord Himself it is written, that He…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Hereby He dissuades from empty speaking in prayer; as, for example, when we ask of God things improper, as dominions, fame, overcoming of our enemies, or abundance of wealth. He commands then that our prayers should…
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
What He condemns is many words in praying that come of want of faith; “as the Gentiles do.” For a multitude of words were needful for the Gentiles, seeing the daemons could not know for what they petitioned, until…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
And truly all superfluity of discourse has come from the Gentiles, who labour rather to practise their tongues than to cleanse their hearts, and introduce this art of rhetoric into that wherein they need to persuade God.
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
True prayer consists rather in the bitter groans of repentance, than in the repetition of set forms of words.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
For we use many words then when we have to instruct one who is in ignorance, what need of them to Him who is Creator of all things; “Your heavenly Father knoweth what ye have need of before you ask Him”
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or this there starts up a heresy of certain Philosophers [margin note: Epicureans] who taught the mistaken dogma that if God knows for what we shall pray, and, before we ask, knows what we need, our prayer is…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
You do not then pray in order to teach God your wants, but to move Him, that you may become His friend by the importunity of your applications to Him, that you may be humbled, that you may be reminded of your sins.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Nor ought we to use words in seeking to obtain of God what we would, but to seek with intense and fervent application of mind, with pure love, and suppliant spirit.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
But even with words we ought at certain periods to make prayer to God, that by these signs of things we may keep ourselves in mind, and may know what progress we have made in such desire, and may stir up ourselves…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Still it may be asked, what is the use of prayer at all, whether made in words or in meditation of things, if God knows already what is necessary for us. The mental posture of prayer calms and purifies the soul, and…
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Cross-references · 17
Cited together in On Prayer Chapter 10 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 30.
Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 30.
Cited together in On Prayer Chapter 10.
Cited together in Catechism §2736.
Cited together in Catechism §2736.
Cited together in Sermons on New Testament Lessons Sermon 30.
Cited together in Confessions XI.1.
Cited together in Confessions XI.1.
Cited together in On the Holy Trinity XV.13.
Cited together in Confessions XI.1.
Cited together in Confessions XI.1.
Cited together in Confessions XI.1.
Cited together in Confessions XI.1.
Cited together in Confessions XI.1.
Cited together in Confessions XI.1.
Cited together in Confessions XI.1.