A Catechism, Chapter 27
CHAP. 27. Of prayer, and some other means of increasing faith.
Q. WHat is the generall nature of prayer?
A. Not onelyonly a wish or desire after this, or that; for a man may have so much and never pray, Iam. 4. 2.
Q. VVhat is it then?
A. Prayer is an opening of the desire of the heart before God aPsa. 25. 1. 1 Sam. 1. 13, whether it be by ffighes and groanes bRom. 8. 26, 27., or by words cHos. 14. 2. Psa. 5. 1., and other means dIohn 17. 1. Lam. 3. 43. Ps. 6. 8 & 142. 2..
Q To whom must we pray?
A. To him that knoweth the heart e1 Kings 8. 39., and is almighty, and so able to help fHeb. 5. 7. Gen. 17. 1., to him that is to be worshipped gMat. 4. 10, and believed in hRom. 10. 14., which is none but God.
Q. Whether must we pray to God directly and immediately, or through a Mediator?
A. OnelyOnly through the mediation of Jesus Christ, Iohn 146. & 16. 23. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Heb. 7. 25.
Q. What are the parts of prayer?
A. Petition and Thanksgiving, Phil. 4. 6. 1 Thess. 5. 17, 11.
Q. What is Petition?
A. A prayer wherein we aske the preventing or removing of things hurtfull, and the bestowing of things needfull, Mat 7. 7, 8, 9, 10.
Q What is Thanksgiving?
A. A prayer wherein we desire that honour and glory may be given to God for what we have received iPsa. 50. 15., or do believe we shall receive hereafter k2 Sam. 7. 18, 19..
Q. Whether is not confession of our sinnes and miseries, and vows and promises unto God, parts of prayer?
A. They may be called adjuncts of prayer, because they are to be expressed or understood in every prayer.
Q. How may that appeare?
A. By this, because to come to God for mercy without an acknowledgement of our unworthinesse and misery, and to desire him to perform what he requires of us, is little better then a mocking of God.
Q. Are there any for whom we must not pray?
A. Yes; we must not pray for the dead, because we cannot do it of faith, as having neither precept nor example, nor any good warrant for it in the world, Rom. 14. 23.
Q. VVhy else may we not pray for the dead?
A. Because such prayers cannot availe at all, but are altogether vain, 1 Pet. 3. 19. Heb. 9. 27.
Q. For whom else must we not pray?
A. We must not pray for the salvation of all men living universally, for that is contrary to the revealed will of God lMat. 7. 13, 14.; nor for any in particular that have sinned the sinne against the Holy Ghost m1 Iohn 5. 16..
Q. For whom then must we pray?
A. For all other sorts of men now living n1 Tim. 2. 1, 2., both our selves and others oMat. 6. 9. Iam. 5. 16., whether they be friends or enemies pMat. 5. 44. Luke 23. 34. Acts 7. 60., and for some that shall live hereafter qIohn 17. 20..
Q. Is there any rule of direction according to which we ought to frame our prayers?
A. Yes, the whole will of God revealed for this purpose in the word r1 Iohn 5. 14., and that pattern of prayer given by Christ unto his Disciples sMat. 6. 9..
Q. Seeing God knoweth all our wants afore we pray, and hath determined with himselfe what he will doe for us, wherefore then should we pray?
A. Not to inform him, as if he were ignorant of our estates, for he understandeth our thoughts afarre off tPsal. 139. 2.nor to change his minde, for his purpose is unchangeable uIam. 1. 17. Psal. 33 11..
Q. Why then?
A. We are therefore to pray, because God hath appointed prayer to be the way and means wEzek. 36. 37. 2 Sam. 7. 27.whereby he will accomplish that which he hath purposed to doe for us.
Q. How must we pray that we may be accepted?
A. The persons praying must be righteous xIohn 9: 31.humble yPsal. 10. 17.and upright zPro. 15. 8. and Psal. 66. 18.and the matter of prayer must be something lawfull and promised aMat. 20. 22, 23..
Q. And what must be the manner of praying, and the end aymed at therein?
A. The manner must be in sense and feeling of our wants bIsai 41. 17.; with faith cIam. 1. 6, 7. Mat. 21. 22., fervency dIam. 5. 16., and perseverance eLuke 18. 12. &; and the end must not be that we may consume it upon our lusts, but for the glory of God fIam. 4. 3..
Q. What other means are there for the increasing of faith?
A. Diligent reading of the holy Scriptures gIohn 5. 39. Acts 17. 11., and serious meditation therein hPsal. 1. 2. & 119. 97., with frequent and holy conference with othersiDeut. 6. 7. Mal. 3. 16. Luke 24. 32.