Introduction
Through the work of the Triune God, we have become members of Christ’s kingdom. In spite of this, the devil, the world and our sinful flesh continually try to destroy us. These enemies desire to rob us of faith and prevent us from keeping God’s commandments. Left to ourselves, we would lose this battle, but God has invited us to come to Him in prayer for His help.
- What is prayer?
Prayer is an act of worship in which we speak to God from the heart, asking something of Him or thanking Him for His mercies.
- Why do we pray?
We pray because- God commands us to pray,
- God promises to hear us,
- we constantly need His help and
- we want to thank Him for His blessings.
Bible Example: The leper’s request and thanksgiving
- To whom do we pray?
We pray only to the Trinue God; not to the angels, the saints or the dead.
Bbile Example: John is instructed not to worship angels.
- How do we pray?
We pray in Jesus’ name, because He assures us that through faith in Him, as our Savior, our prayers will be heard and answered.
- For what may we pray?
We may pray for anything that honors God and is good for us but not for anything foolish or harmful.
Bible Example: The foolish request of the mother of James and John
- For whom should we pray?
We should pray for ourselves and for all people, even for our enemies, but not for the dead. (See the “General Prayer” in the Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary.)
Bible Example: Abraham’s prayer for Sodom
Bible Example: Stephen’s prayer for his enemies
- What distinction should we make in our prayers?
When praying for that which is necessary for salvation, we should ask unconditionally; when praying for other gifts, we should ask that God grant them if it be His will.
- Does God always answer prayers in the way in which we ask?
God sometimes answers our prayer by given us something better than what we ask for; He may also delay His answer in order to train us in Christian living.
Bible Example: Solomon’s prayer
Bible Example: The Syrophoenician woman persisted in her prayer to Jesus.
Bible Example: The thorn in Paul’s flesh
- When should we pray?
The desires of our heart should be directed to God at all times; we should also have regular times for prayer.
Bible Example: Daniel prayed three times a day.
Bible Example: The persistent widow
- Where should we pray?
We shoudl pray everywhere:- by ourselves,
- with our family and
- in public worship with our fellow believers.
- With whom may we pray?
We may pray with those who hold to and confess the truth, but not with those who teach and live contrary to the Word of God. (See Questions 207, 208 and 249).
Conclusion
God speaks to His children through His Wrod and invites them to speak to Him in prayer. Because the Triune God is the only one who hears or answers prayer, we should pray to Him only. Just as children must learn how to speak, Christians must learn how to pray. For this reason Jesus has taught Christians a model prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, so that whether they pray with fixed prayers or free prayers, they may know how and for what to pray.
Hymn
Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
Unuttered or expressed;
The motion of a hidden fire
The trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the Christian’s vital breath,
The Christian’s native air;
His watchword at the gates of death;
He enters heav’n with prayer. (ELH 386:1, 4)
Bible Readings
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