Exposition of the Shorter Catechism, Question 99
Of Direction in Prayer.
Quest. 99. WHat Rule hath God given for our dir… ction in the Duty of Prayer?
A. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us … Prayer; but the special Rule of Direction is that form of Prayer, which Christ taught his Disciples, commonly called the Lords-Prayer.
Q. 1. Do men need directions, rules and helps in Prayer?
A. They do greatly need them; for in …nd of our selves we know not what to pray for as we ought, Rom. 8.26. Likewise the spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we shall pray for as we ought, &c. Nor how to pray in a right manner, and for right ends, and a mistake in either frustrates our Prayer, Jam. 4.3. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
Q. 2. When do men mistake in the matter of their Prayer?
A. They mistake in the matter of Prayer, when they ask of God things that are not l…wful, good and agreeable to his Will. So the Disciples were ready to do in calling for fire from Heaven on the Samaritanes, Luke 9.54, 55. And when his disciples, James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned and rebuked them, and said, ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
Q. 3. When do men mistake in the manner of Prayer?
A. They mistake in the manner when they ask Mercies of God for carnal ends, to satisfie their lusts, Jam. 4.3. Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Or in a drowsie and careless manner, Isa. 64.7. And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of thee, &c.
Q. 4. What helps hath God afforded us to furnish us to Prayer both in respect of the matter and manner?
A. The Scriptures abudantly furnish us with all sorts of helps and directions for the matter of Prayer. It directs us both in co…fession of sins original and actual, Psal. 51.4, 5. Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Against thee, thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight, &c. Petition and Thanksgiving, Phil. 4.6. Be careful for nothing, but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be made known unto God.
Q. 5. Doth it afford us any help or direction as to the manner of Prayer also?
A. Yes▪ it doth; and that both as to (1.) our sincerity in P…ayer, …. 10.22. Let us draw near with a tra… heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, all our bodies washed pure water. (2.) As to our humility in Prayer, Psal. 10.17. Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble, thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear▪ (3.) As to our faith in Prayer, Jam. 1.6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering, &c. (4.) As to our fervency in Prayer, Jam. 5.16. —The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Q. 6. Are these external rules and directions sufficient in themselves to enable us to pray acceptably?
A. In respect of external direction they are sufficient, and we need no other outward rules, than what the Scriptures furnish, but besides that the internal helps and assistances of the Spirit are necessary to the offering up acceptable Prayer, 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, &c.
Q. 7. But doth the Scripture only furnish us with general rules of direction for Prayer?
A. No, it furnishes us also with an excellent pattern and example of Prayer, composed by Christ for our direction, Matt…. 6.9. After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art i… heaven, &c.
Q. 8. Are Christians tyed by a necessity to use that form of words, or was it only intended for a directory to them?
A. That form of words may be lawfully used; but it's plain its intention was to regulate our Petitions by it; and therefor… they that use it in spells and charms, as the Papists, or tho… that think nothing is Prayer, but that form of words, … Christs intention in it.
Q. 9. How doth it appear it was not Christs intention, strictly … …ind us to that very form of words in our Prayers?
A. Divines give us these reasons against it; (1.) Because thi… Prayer is set down diversly by the Evangelist, Matth▪ 6. 1… 12. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven… And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And Luke 11.3, 4. Give us day by day our daily bread, and forgive us … sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us: and lead … not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (2.) Christ and … Apostles did not alwayes use this form of words afterwards, as appears by his Prayer at Lazarus his grave, John 11. and that for his Apostles, John 17. (3.) Because these words Matth. 6.9. After this manner, &c. plainly shew its use wa… … tended for a directory to us.
Q. 10: What's the first Inference from hence?
A. Hence we learn the fulness and compleatness of the Scri…tures, not only for the guiding and setling of our Faith in things that are to be believed, but also of our whole practice in every Duty we are to perform.
Q. 11. What's the second Inference hence?
A. Hence we are informed how necessary it is to acquaint our selves with the mind of God, revealed in his Word, that we may guide our selves in Prayer, both for matter and manner thereby, and not utter to God words without knowledge.
Q. 12. What's the last Inference from hence?
A. That those who neglect all Prayer, and those that satisfie themselves with a form of Prayer, which they utter without knowledge or affection, do greatly sin against God. And that it is the duty of all Christians, from a sense of their own sins, wants and mercies to be often with God in prayer, guiding themselves in that spiritual duty, by such inward and outward helps as his word and spirit are able to furnish them with.