Lord’s Day 45
Q117. How does God want us to pray so that he will listen to us?
First, we must pray from the heart to no other than the one true God, who has revealed himself in his Word, asking for everything he has commanded us to ask for. Second, we must acknowledge our need and misery, hiding nothing, and humble ourselves in his majestic presence. Third, we must rest on this unshakable foundation: even though we do not deserve it, God will surely listen to our prayer because of Christ our Lord. That is what he promised us in his Word.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Psalm 145:18–20
“The LORD nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them. The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.”
John 4:22–24
“Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
Romans 8:26–27
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to God.”
James 1:5
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
1 John 5:14–15
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
Psalm 2:11
“Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.”
Psalm 34:18
“The LORD nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Psalm 62:8
“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”
Isaiah 66:2
“For all those hath mine hand made, and all those have been, saith the LORD: but to this will I look, to poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.”
Revelation 4
“After this I looked, and, behold, a door opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about ; and full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.”
Daniel 9:17–18
“Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord's sake. O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.”
Matthew 7:8
“For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
John 14:13–14
“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do .”
John 16:23
“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.”
Romans 10:13
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
James 1:6
“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”