Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, Question 98
Of Prayer.
Quest. 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.
Q. 1. Who is the proper and only object of Prayer?
A. God only is the proper object of Prayer; it is a part of his Natural Worship: therefore 'tis peculiarly his Honour and Prerogative, and none else can hear and answer them, but God, Psal. 65.2. O thou that bearest Prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.
Q. 2. Through whom, or in whose name are our Prayers to be directed to God?
A. Our Prayers are to be directed to God only through Christ, and his Name, and not by the mediation of Angels or Saints, Col. 2.18. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility, and worshiping of angels. For the merit and satisfaction of Christ alone give success and acceptance to our Prayers, Rev. 8.3, 4. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer, and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar, which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense which came with the prayers of the saints ascended up before God out of the angels hand. 1 Tim. 2.5. For there is one God, and one mediatour between God and men, the man Christ Iesus.
Q. 3. What's the first property or quality of acceptable Prayer?
A. No Prayer can be acceptable to God, except the matter of it be agreeable to his Will, Iam. 4.3. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 1 Joh. 5.14, 15. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he beareth us. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
Q. 4. Is it enough to make Prayer acceptable, that the matter is agreeable to Gods will?
A. No, it is not; for the manner as well as the matter, must be so too, Psal. 66.18. If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.
Q. 5. What's the first qualification of an acceptable Prayer, respecting the manner of it?
A. That it be sincere, and flowing from the heart of a regenerate person, Prov. 15.29. The Lord is far from the wicked; but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. Jer. 29.13. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your h…art.
Q. 6. What's the second qualification of Prayer, respecting the manner?
A. It must be performed in the heart of a Child of God by the Spirit of Adoption, Gal. 4.6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the spirit of his Son in our hearts: crying, Abba, Father. Rom. 8.26. Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings, which cannot be uttered.
Q. 7. What's the third qualification of an acceptable Prayer, respecting the manner?
A. It must be servent and importunate, not cold and formal, Iam. 5.16. —The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Matth. 7.7. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find: knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
Q. 8. Wherein doth true importunity with God in Prayer consist?
A. Not in the multitude of words, Matth. 6.7. But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions as the heathen do: for they think they shall be heard for their much speaking. But in an holy earnestness of Spirit to be heard, Psal 143.7. Hear me speedily, O Lord, my spirit faileth; hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. A prudent choice of prevalent Arguments, Iob 23.4. I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. And a resolute persistance in our requests till they be granted ▪ Isa. 62.7. And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Ierusalem a praise in the earth.
Q. 9. Do not Prayers thus qualified sometimes miscarry?
A. God may delay and suspend the answer of them for a time, Psal. 22. 2. O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hear… not, &c. But sooner or latter, God will alwayes answer them, either in the very thing we ask, 1 Iohn 5.15. —We know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. Or in that which is equivalent or better, Gen. 17.18, 19. And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee. And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed, and thou shalt-call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him, for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him.
Q. 10. Is there no Prayer but what is stated and fixed?
A. Yes, there is sudden occasional Prayer, which we call ejaculatory: Such was Iacobs, Gen. 49.18. I have waited for thy salvation, O Lord. And this is exceeding useful to maintain constant communion with God, and keep the heart in a spiritual frame.
Q. 11. Is all stated and fixed Prayer publick in the Congregation or Church?
A. No, stated Prayer ought to be in our Families with those under our charge; and in our Closets betwixt God and us alone, Iosh. 24.15. —But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. And Matth. 6.6. But when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy father which is in secret, and thy father which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Q. 12. What infer you from hence?
A. The restraint of Prayer is not only a great fin, but an ill sign of a graceless heart. Iob 15.4. Yea, thou castest off fear, and restrainest prayer before God. And that which entails a judgment and curse upon men, and their Families, Ier. 10.25. Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not; and upon the families that call not upon …hy name.
Q. 13. What's the second Inference from the Ordinance of Prayer?
A. That the true reason why we enjoy not the Mercies we pray for, is not because God is unwilling to grant Mercies, but because we either neglect Prayer, or miscarry in the manner of Prayer, Jam. 4.2, 3 Ye lust, and have not; ye kill and desire to have, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war, yet ye have not; because y… ask not. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.