To Heartfelt Prayer

Prayer is the main part of the thankfulness which God requires of us.

Why is prayer necessary for Christians? 

• Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness which God requires of us. 
• Moreover, God will give His grace and the Holy Spirit only to those who constantly and with heartfelt longing ask Him for these gifts and thank Him for them. 

What belongs to a prayer which pleases God and is heard by Him? 

First, 

• we must from the heart call 
• upon the one true God only, 
• who has revealed Himself in His Word, 
• for all that He has commanded us to pray. 

Second, 

• we must thoroughly know our need and misery, 
• so that we may humble ourselves before God. 

Third, 

• we must rest on this firm foundation that, 
• although we do not deserve it, 
• God will certainly hear our prayer for the sake of Christ our Lord,
• as He has promised us in His Word. 

For the Bible Tells Me So...

Psalm 50:14,15 — Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." 

Luke 11:9 — "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 

John 14:13 — And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 

1 John 5:14,15 — This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him. 

Psalm 62:8 — Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. 

Matthew 7:8 — For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

The Heidelberg Catechism Lord's Day 45