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Lord's Day 45

Topics: Prayer, Grace, Holy Spirit, Thankfulness, Word, Misery, Body, Soul

116. Q.

Why is prayer necessary for Christians?

A.
Because prayer is the most important part
of the thankfulness
which God requires of us. 1
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. 2
  • 1. Ps 50:14, 15; 116:12-19; 1 Thess 5:16-18.
  • 2. Mt 7:7, 8; Lk 11:9-13.
117. Q.

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

A.
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. 1
Second,
we must thoroughly know
our need and misery,
so that we may humble ourselves
before God. 2
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. 3
  • 1. Ps 145:18-20; Jn 4:22-24; Rom 8:26, 27; Jas 1:5; 1 Jn 5:14, 15; Rev 19:10.
  • 2. 2 Chron 7:14; 20:12; Ps 2:11; 34:18; 62:8; Is 66:2; Rev 4.
  • 3. Dan 9:17-19; Mt 7:8; Jn 14:13, 14; 16:23; Rom 10:13; Jas 1:6.
118. Q.

What has God commanded us
to ask of him?

A.
All the things we need
for body and soul, 1
as included in the prayer
which Christ our Lord himself taught us.
  • 1. Mt 6:33; Jas 1:17.
119. Q.

What is the Lord's prayer?

A.
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one,
for yours is the kingdom
and the power
and the glory forever. Amen. 1
  • 1. Mt 6:9-13; Lk 11:2-4.
Copyright 2010, Standing Committee for the Publication of the Book of Praise of the Canadian Reformed Churches.
Used by permission.