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Reply. A distinction must be made: Christ's prayer in the strict
sense, namely, that which proceeded from His absolute will as the
result of deliberate reason, was always heard, because His will was
always in conformity with the divine will, so that by this prayer He
willed or sought only what He knew God wills. The words that Martha
addressed to our Lord are to be understood in this sense when she
said: "I know that whatsoever Thou wilt ask of God, God will give
it Thee."[1537] Also, when our Lord says: "And I knew
that Thou hearest Me always."[1538] And St. Paul says of
Christ: "He was heard for His reverence."[1539]
Christ's conditional prayer expressing the desire of His sensitive
nature or of His will considered as nature, was not always heard,
which is evident from His prayer in the Garden.
Second objection. Christ prayed that the sin of those who crucified
Him might be forgiven.[1540] Yet not all were pardoned this
sin, since the Jews were punished on account thereof.
Reply to second objection. St. Thomas says: "Our Lord did not
pray for all those who crucified Him, nor for all those who would
believe in Him, but for those only who were predestinated to obtain
eternal life through Him."[1541]
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