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“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” — Luke 23:42

On Christian prayer


Heidelberg Catechism

Heidelberg Catechism Question 116. Why is prayer necessary for Christians? Because it is the chief part of the gratitude which God requires of us, and because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit only to those who sincerely beseech him in prayer without ceasing, and who thank him for these gifts.

Heidelberg Catechism Question 117. What is contained in a prayer which pleases God and is heard by him? First, that we sincerely call upon the one true God, who has revealed himself to us in his Word, for all that he has commanded us to ask of him. Then, that we thoroughly acknowledge our need and evil condition so that we may humble ourselves in the presence of his majesty. Third, that we rest assured that, in spite of our unworthiness, he will certainly hear our prayer for the sake of Christ our Lord, as he has promised us in his Word.

Westminster Shorter Catechism

Shorter Catechism Question 98. What is prayer? 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.

  • Ps. 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”
  • Ps. 10:17 “O LORD, you will hear the desire of the meek; you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear.”
  • 1 John 5:14 “And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
  • Matt. 26:39 “And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’”
  • John 6:38 “for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.”
  • John 16:23 “On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.”
  • Dan. 9:4 “I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, ‘Ah, Lord, great and awesome God, keeping covenant and steadfast love with those who love you and keep your commandments.’”
  • Phil. 4:6 “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

Study Catechism

Study Catechism Question 120. What is prayer? Prayer means calling upon God whose Spirit is always present with us. In prayer we approach God with reverence, confidence and humility. Prayer involves both addressing God in praise, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, and listening for God’s word within our hearts. When we adore God, we are filled with wonder, love and praise before God’s heavenly glory, not least when we find it hidden in the cross of Golgotha. When confessing our guilt to God, we ask for forgiveness with humble and sorry hearts, remembering that God is gracious as well as holy. When giving thanks to God, we acknowledge God's great goodness, rejoicing in God for all that is so wonderfully provided for us. Finally, when calling upon God to hear our requests, we affirm that God draws near in every need and sorrow of life, and ask God to do so again.

  • Ps. 48.1 “Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised.”
  • Ps. 96:8-9 “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth.”
  • James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”
  • 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
  • Ps. 107:8 “Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind."
  • Ps. 75:1 “We give thanks to you, O God; we give thanks; your name is near. People tell of your wondrous deeds.”
  • Ps. 50:15 “Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”
  • Ps. 145:18 “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
  • Eph. 6:18 “Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.”


Study Catechism Question 121. What is the purpose of prayer? Prayer brings us into communion with God. The more our lives are rooted in prayer, the more we sense how wonderful God is in grace, purity, majesty and love. Prayer means offering our lives completely to God, submitting ourselves to God's will, and waiting faithfully for God’s grace. Through prayer God frees us from anxiety, equips us for service, and deepens our faith.

  • Ps. 62:8 “Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”
  • Ps. 139:1 “O Lord, you have searched me and known me.”
  • Phil. 4:6 “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
  • Matt. 7:7-8 “Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

 

Study Catechism Question 122. How does God respond to our prayers? God takes all our prayers into account, weighing them with divine wisdom, and responding to them by a perfect will. Although for the time being God's answers may seem beyond our understanding, or sometimes even bitter, we know nonetheless that they are always determined by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God answers our prayers, particularly for temporal blessings, only in ways that are compatible with the larger purposes of God's glory and our salvation. Communion with God is finally the answer within the answers to all our prayers.

  • 1 John 5:14 “This is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
  • James 1:17 “Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
  • Matt. 6:33 “Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”


Study Catechism Question 123. What encourages us to pray each day? The God who has adopted us as children is the God who encourages and commands us to pray. When we pray, we respond with love to that greater love which meets us from above. Before we enter into prayer, God is ready to grant all that we need. We may turn to God with confidence each day, not because we are worthy, but simply because of God’s grace. By praying we acknowledge that we depend on grace for all that is good, beautiful, life-giving and true.

  • Is. 65:24 “Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking I will hear.”
  • Luke 11:12-13 “If the child asks for an egg, will he give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
  • Phil. 4:8 “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
  • Eph. 3:20-21 “Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”


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