Of direction in prayer,
An Exposition of the Affsembly's Catechism.
Q. 12. What do you infer from hence ?
A. That the restraint of prayer is not only a great fin, but are ill sign ofagraceless heart ; Jobvi.4. Yea, thou castestofffear, and restrainest prayer before God. And that which entails a judgment and curse upon men, and their families ; Jer. x. 25.
Pour out thy fury upon the Heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not upon thy name.
Q. 13. What is the second inference from the ordinance of prayer?
A. That the true reason why we enjoy not the mercies we pray for, is not because God is unwilling to grant mercies, but because we either neglect prayer, or miscarry in the manner of prayer ; James iv. 2, 3. Ye lust, and have not ; ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, becaule ye ask amiss, thatye may consume it upon your lusts.
Quest. 99.W Of Direction in Prayer.
Hat rule hath God given for our direction in the duty of prayer ?
A. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in prayer'; but the special rule of direction, is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called, The Lord's prayer.
Q. 1. Domen need directions, rules, and helps in prayer ?
A. They do greatly need them, for in, and of ourselves we know not what to pray for as we ought ; Rom. viii. 26. Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities : for we know not what we should pray for as we ought, &c. Nor how to pray in aright manner, and for right ends ; and a mistake in either frustrates our prayer; James iv. 3. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that yemay consume it upon your lusts.
Q. 2. When do men mistake in the matteroftheirprayer?
A. They mistake in the matter of prayer, when they ask of God things that are not lawful, good and agreeable to his will.
So the disciples were ready to do, in calling for fire from heaven on the Samaritans ; Luke ix. 54, 55. And when his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did ? But he turned and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spit it ye are of.
Q. 3. Whendomen mistake in the manner of prayer ?
A. They mistake in the manner, when they ask mercies of God for carnal ends, to fatisfytheir lusts ; James iv. 3. Yeask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may confumeit
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.
13г uponyourlufts . Or in a drowsy and careless manner ; Ifa. Ixiv.
7. And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth uphimselftotake hold of thee, &c .
Q. 4. What helps hath God afforded us to furnish us to prayer, both in respect of the matter and manner ?
A. The scriptures abundantly furnish us with all forts of helps and directions for the matter of prayer.
It directs us, both inconfessionoffins, original and actual ; Psalm li. 4, 5.
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in fin did my mother . conceive me. Against thee, thee only have I finned, and done this evil in thy fight, &c. Petition and thanksgiving ; Phil. iv.
6. Be careful for nothing, but in every thing, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.
Q. 5. Doth it afford us any help, or direction, as to the manner of prayer also ?
A. Yes, it doth ; and that both as to, (1.) Our sincerity in prayer; Heb.x. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart, in fullafsuranceoffaith; having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
(2.) As; to our humility in prayer; Pfalmx. 17. Lord thou hast heard the desire of the humble ; thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. (3.) As to our faith in prayer ;
James i. 6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering, &c.
(4.) As to our fervency in prayer; James v. 6.The effec tual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
Q. 6. Are these external rules and directions sufficient in themselves to enable us to pray acceptably ?
A. In respect of external direction they are sufficient, and we need no other outward rules than what the scriptures furnish ; but besides that, the internal helps and afsistances of the
Spirit,are necessary to the offering up acceptable prayer ; Rom. viii. 26. Likewise the Spirit alsohelpeth our infirmities ; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought ; but the Spirit itselfmaketh intercession for us, &c.
Q. 7. But doth the scripture only furnish us with general rules of direction for prayer ?
A. No, it furnishes us also with an excellent pattern and example of prayer, composed by Christ for our direction; Matth.. vi. 9. After this manner therefore prayye : Our Father, which art in heaven, &c.
Q. 8. Are Christians tied by a necessity to use that form of words ? Or was it only intended for a directory to them ?