Lord's Day 44
Devotion
Prayer is like children coming to their parents. They have the craziest requests, and we may be grieved by the meanness and selfishness of what they say, but we would be all the more grieved if they never came to us at all. We are simply glad they come, as mixed up as they may be. This is how it is with prayer. We will never be pure and right, but we must set these things aside and just pray. It is in the very act of praying – the intimate and ongoing interaction with God – that these matters are cared for in time.
Our heavenly Father wants to hear us pray. God is ready to respond in love and mercy toward His people, but first we must come to him. In Jeremiah 29:12-14 God says, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you…”
The Greek and Hebrew words for prayer suggest themes of supplication, entreating, petitioning, intercession, and worship. The prayers found in older church worship books use words such as beseech, plead, even beg, expressing our greatest desires before the throne of God. Nothing in your life is too small for prayer, and nothing is too great for God to deal with. We are invited, in Scripture, not to worry about anything, “but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” Philip 4:6. Prayer is nothing more that offering our desires to God, and it is nothing less than communing in the very presence of God.
So how do we come to God in prayer? The Catechism teaches that all prayers are to be offered in the name of Christ, for surely there is no other name by which we have been invited to come to the Father, remembering always to confess our sin and giving thanks for God’s mercies. Thankfully, our Lord taught us how to pray, and His prayer will be the focus of our study over the next few weeks.
Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for inviting us to come to you in prayer, and thank you for sending your Son to teach us to pray and to intercede for us. Forgive us for not praying as fervently or as faithfully as we should, and grant us a greater desire to seek you in prayer. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Question 98
Q. 98. 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, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.
Scripture Proofs
Ps. 62:8;
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah
1 John 5:14;
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
John 16:23;
In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
Ps. 32:5-6;
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.
Dan. 9:4;
I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,
Phil. 4:6.
do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Question 99
Q. 99. What rule hath God given for our direction in prayer?
A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer, but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called, The Lord’s Prayer.
Scripture Proofs
1 John 5:14;
And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
Matt. 6:9-13;
Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Luke 11:2-4.
And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”