Friday

Day 146: How to Pray, part 2


WSC 98; WLC 178
What is prayer?
A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, by the help of his Spirit, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.


Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.181. Why are we to pray in the name of Christ?
A. The sinfulness of man, and his distance from God by reason thereof, being so great, as that we can have no access into his presence without a mediator [p]; and there being none in heaven or earth appointed to, or fit for, that glorious work but Christ alone [q], we are to pray in no other name but his only [r].

The sinfulness of man, and his distance from God by reason thereof, being so great, as that we can have no access into his presence without a mediator [p];

[p] John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Ephesians 3:12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

and there being none in heaven or earth appointed to, or fit for, that glorious work but Christ alone [q],

[q] John 6:27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. Ver.26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Ver.27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

we are to pray in no other name but his only [r].

[r] Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.


Westminster Larger Catechism
Q.182. How doth the Spirit help us to pray?
A. We not knowing what to pray for as we ought, the Spirit helpeth our infirmities, by enabling us to understand both for whom, and what, and how prayer is to be made; and by working and quickening in our hearts (although not in all persons, nor at all times, in the same measure) those apprehensions, affections, and graces which are requisite for the right performance of that duty [s].

[s] Romans 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Ver.27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Psalm 10:17 LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:
Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn, etc.


Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 21, Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath-Day
III. Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship [f], is by God required of all men [g]: and, that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son [h], by the help of His Spirit [i], according to His will [k], with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love and perseverance [l]; and, if vocal, in a known tongue [m].

Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship [f],

[f] Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

is by God required of all men [g]:

[g] Psalm 65:2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

and, that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son [h],

[h] John 14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Ver.14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
1 Peter 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

by the help of His Spirit [i],

[i] Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

according to His will [k],

[k] 1 John 5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.

with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love and perseverance [l];

[l] Psalm 47:7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.
Ecclesiastes 5:1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil. Ver.2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few.
Hebrews 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
Genesis 18:27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD, which am but dust and ashes.
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. Ver.7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Ver.14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: Ver.15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Colossians 4:2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

and, if vocal, in a known tongue [m].

[m] 1 Corinthians 14:14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.


End of Lesson, Day 146


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