Question 185
How are we to pray?
We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the majesty of God, (Eccl. 5:1) and deep sense of our own unworthiness, (Gen. 18:27, Gen. 32:10) necessities, (Luke 15:17–19) and sins; (Luke 18:13–14) with penitent, (Ps. 51:17) thankful, (Phil. 4:6) and enlarged hearts; (1 Sam. 1:15, 1 Sam. 2:1) with understanding, (1 Cor. 14:15) faith, (Mark 11:24, James 1:6) sincerity, (Ps. 145:18, Ps. 17:1) fervency, (James 5:16) love, (1 Tim. 2:8) and perseverance, (Eph. 6:18) waiting upon him, (Micah 7:7) with humble submission to his will. (Matt. 26:39)
The Westminster Larger Catechism: With Scripture Proofs. 1996. Oak Harbor, WA:
Ecclesiastes 5:1–2 (ESV)
1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.
Genesis 18:27 (ESV)
27 Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.
Luke 15:17–19 (ESV)
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’
Luke 18:13 (ESV)
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’
Philippians 4:6 (ESV)
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
1 Samuel 2:1 (ESV)
1 And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the LORD; my horn is exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.
1 Corinthians 14:15 (ESV)
15 What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.
Mark 11:24 (ESV)
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Psalm 145:18 (ESV)
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
James 5:16 (ESV)
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
1 Timothy 2:8 (ESV)
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
Ephesians 6:18–19 (ESV)
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
Micah 7:7 (ESV)
7 But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.
Matthew 26:39 (ESV)
39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
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