What is prayer?
Prayer is an offering up our desires to God, by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, believing, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgments of his mercies.
Proofs
- Prayer is an offering up our desires to God, (Psalm 62:8)
- by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, (Romans 8:26)
- for things agreeable to his will, (1 John 5:14; Romans 8:27)
- in the name of Christ, (John 16:23)
- believing, (Matthew 21:22; James 1:6)
- with confession of our sins, (Psalm 32:5–6; Daniel 9:4)
- and thankful acknowledgments of his mercies. (Philippians 4:6)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is prayer the duty of all men?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Men ought always to pray, (Luke 18:1)
Is it the duty of the carnal?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Pray to God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee, (Acts 8:22)
And of the gracious?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Unto thee will I pray, (Psalm 5:2)
Is it in a particular manner the duty of the afflicted?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Is any afflicted? Let him pray, (James 5:13)
But do all men pray?
Answer: No.
Proof: For some restrain prayer before God, (Job 15:4)
Section 2
Is ejaculatory prayer a duty?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: So I prayed to the God of heaven, (Nehemiah 2:4)
And secret prayer?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: When thou prayest enter into thy closet, (Matthew 6:6)
And family prayer?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, (Joshua 24:5)
And public prayer?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: My house is the house of prayer, (Luke 19:46)
And should we conscientiously attend to prayer of every kind?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Praying always with all prayer, (Ephesians 6:18)
Section 3
Is God the object of prayer?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come, (Psalm 65:2)
And is the offering up of our desire to him the essence of prayer?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Unto thee do I lift up my soul, (Psalm 25:1)
Must these desires be presented through Christ?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you, (John 16:23)
And by the assistance of the Holy Spirit?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I will pray with the Spirit, (1 Corinthians 14:15)
And be in all things regulated by his revealed will?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us, (1 John 5:14)
Section 4
Is invocation a part of prayer?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee, (Psalm 63:1)
And adoration?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: O Lord my God, thou art very great, thou art clothed with honour and majesty, (Psalm 104:1)
And confession?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Father, I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight, (Luke 15:21)
And supplication?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Lord, if thou wilt thou canst make me clean, (Matthew 8:2)
And pleading?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Remember thy word unto thy servant, (Psalm 119:49)
And intercession?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I exhort that supplication be made for all men, (1 Timothy 2:1)
And thanksgiving?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, (Psalm 75:1)
Practical response
Should we pray with judgment?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I will pray with understanding, (1 Corinthians 14:15)
And with humility?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak but this once, (Genesis 18:32)
And with sincerity?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart, (Jeremiah 29:13)
And in faith?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive, (Matthew 21:22)
Section 6
Must our prayers be particular?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I would order my cause before him, (Job 23:4)
And importunate?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I will not let thee go, except thou bless me, (Genesis 32:26)
And submissive?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Not as I will, but as thou wilt, (Matthew 26:39)
And joined with suitable endeavours?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward, (Exodus 14:15)
And constant?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Pray without ceasing, (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
And are such prayers likely to be effectual?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For God will fulfil the desire of them that fear him, (Psalm 145:19)
Section 7
Do all that pray succeed in prayer?
Answer: No.
Proof: When ye make many prayers I will not hear, (Isaiah 1:15)
Will a bad principle hinder the success of prayer?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: If I regard iniquity in my heart, God will not hear me, (Psalm 66:18)
And a bad intention?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts, (James 4:3)
And will a want of success in prayer soon lead to a neglect of it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For what profit should we have if we pray unto him? (Job 21:15)