The Doctrinal Heading for this section of questions (Q98-107) is The Means of Grace: Prayer. (see Harmony Index)
WSC Q98. What is prayer?
We near the end of our catechism study as the Shorter Catechism concludes with the topic of prayer. Rossetti, the 19th-century Italian poet, patriot, and evangelist once commented, “The worst moment for the atheist is when he is really thankful and has no one to thank.” Thanksgiving is so much a part of an active prayer life, but it is only one aspect. There is so much to consider on the issue of prayer, and the catechism dedicates the last ten questions to this topic.
What is your view and practice of prayer? Hopefully it corresponds with the Church’s view as spelled out in our confessions and the believer’s primary standard of Scripture itself. Much has been said about the mystery, necessity, and blessings of prayer. Prayer is one of the means of grace that our Lord uses to draw near to, and sanctify, his people. Abraham Kuyper wrote that prayer is “a holy watchfulness and distrust of one’s self, a consistent prayerfulness, a trustful dependence on God to fulfill all that he has purposed” (The Biblical Practice of Godliness). Abraham Lincoln once said, “I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go.” In a way that is a sad commentary; prayer ought not to be our last resort after we have exhausted all other avenues; prayer ought to be the start. But our nature is to react, driven by circumstances and necessity, rather than by vision and forethought.
We shall see in this and the next several studies that prayer is central to our service of our Lord and one another. On the topic of prayer, Matthew Henry has said, “When God begins to bless his people, he sets them praying for blessing which he desires to give them.” Let us pray for God’s blessing upon this study and what is to follow.
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Westminster Shorter Catechism Q98
Illustrations by John Whitecross – #1 of 9: Amyntor, at a memorable period of his life, was under great distress of conscience, and harrassed by violent temptations. He made his ease known to an experienced friend, who said, ‘Amyntor, you do not pray.’ Surprised at this, he replied, ‘I pray, if such a thing be possible, too much. I can hardly tell how many times in the day I bow my knee to God, almost to the omission of my other duties, and the neglect of my necessary studies.’ ‘You mistake my meaning, dear Amyntor; I do not refer you to the ceremony of the knee, but to the devotion of the heart, which neglects not any business, but intermingles prayer with all: which in every place looks unto the Lord; and on every occasion lifts up an indigent longing soul, for the supply of His grace. This,’ he added with peculiar force, ‘this is prayer, which all the devils in hell cannot withstand.
John Whitecross – 1828
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WSC Q98. What is prayer?
Answer: Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God[a], for things agreeable to his will[b], in the name of Christ[c], with confession of our sins[d], and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies.[e]
[a] Ps. 10:17; 62:8; Matt. 7:7-8
[b] I John 5:14
[c] John 16:23-24
[d] Ps. 32:5-6; Dan. 9:4-19; I John 1:9
[e] Ps. 103:1-5; 136; Phil. 4:6
Question 98 asks what is prayer and answers that prayer is offering our desires to God in the name of Christ for things that agree with his will, confessing our sins, and thankfully recognizing his mercies.
Comments and considerations:
We come now to the second great section of the Catechism. Having considered “what man is to believe concerning God,” we now consider “what duty God requires of man.” But we do well to remember that these two things can never be separated in the life of the Christian. There is no true faith without obedience. And there is not real obedience without faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). And faith without obedience is dead (James 2:22).
The above quotation is from The Shorter Catechism for Study Classes, Volume 2 by G.I Williamson, in his introduction to WSC Q39, which asks what God requires of man. The answer is God requires man to obey his revealed will. G.I. Williamson goes on to say in those opening comments,
It is man’s duty to obey God. The reason for this is that God is the creator and man is a mere creature. Because God created man He therefore has “a right” to require what He will from man. Because man is only a creature, he has “no right” to “go his own way, and do his own will.” No, the only “right” for man is to obey God. So, in the very nature of the case, the will of God is the rule by which man ought to live.
We are reminded of the structure of the catechism, consistent as it is with the Scriptural pattern; it first teaches us what we are to believe concerning God, and then gives imperatives as to what God requires in light of his revelation (Deut. 29:29). It is fitting that the catechism should conclude with the topic of prayer. For if we have learned anything in the path of study we have we just traversed, it is that we can do nothing of our duty unless God provides. Prayer is the means of grace to our Lord’s provisions, the offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies.
We would do well to consider the Scripture verses our fathers picked in support of this five-point definition of prayer.
1) offering up of our desires unto God:
Ps. 10:17– LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear.
Ps. 62:8 – Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah (Note that “Selah” means to take pause and mediate.)
Matt. 7:7-8 – “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
2) for things agreeable to his will:
I John 5:14 – Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. We should note here the importance of praying intelligently. God’s will is his revealed Word. True obedience goes beyond just keeping the commands. It is of the heart, a joyful fulfilling of God’s desires for us—the heart of man seeking and knowing the heart of God in fact and principle. James warns, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:3). How many times have our children asked for foolish things? Yet when they ask wisely, the hand of blessing gladly opens wide.
3) in the name of Christ:
John 16:23-24 – “And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” Our union and communion in Christ, the authority and power of our Savior’s name—these are but a couple of principles that come to mind.
4) with confession of our sins:
Ps. 32:5-6 – I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. – Selah – For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him.
Dan. 9:4-19 – Space does not allow printing this long reference here. But it would be good to open Scriptures and consider it.
I John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If this is verse is not thoroughly memorized and applied in faith in its entirety, consistently and without ceasing, then we will fail to find the intended and necessary blessing it so adequately provides.
5) thankful acknowledgement of his mercies:
Ps. 103:1-5 – Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. I once had a pastor who used the metaphorical phrase, “chew on the Word of God.” If ever there was a passage that provided substance to what he meant, it is Ps. 103:1-5. Pause for a moment and chew on the phrases: Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, Who redeems your life from destruction, and so on. Often we begin to pray in sore despair with a heavy burden; yet in the end we find renewed strength and vigor, renewed hope and faith so that [our] youth is renewed like the eagle’s. That is the blessing and power of prayer.
Ps. 136 – Again, space does not allow printing this long reference here. This psalm rehearses the praise, glory, and faithfulness of God in Israel’s history.
Phil. 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. This last reference is a beacon of light that commands and clarifies our understanding and approach to prayer. It encompasses the depth of faith and the extent to which everything is to be brought to the throne of grace in the high privilege and ministry of prayer, with thanksgiving.
There is much to consider when it comes to prayer. Prayer can be passionate and eloquent; it can also be childlike pleas aimed heavenward day by day: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) The next several catechism lessons will conclude our study with a look at this last topic and very important means of grace.
To God alone be the glory!
Training Hearts and Teaching Minds Questions:
- Read Prov. 15:8, 29. What can we learn about prayer from these verses? How do they inform us about how we are to approach God in prayer?
- How does Col. 1:9-10 instruct us in how we ought to pray? What specific things does Paul pray for, and for others?
- The catechism refers to prayer as desires, agreeable to God. In one way this speaks of our heart, motive, and direction of our prayers. How does I Thess. 5:16-18 apply to this aspect of prayer?
- What does it mean when we pray “in the name of Christ”? See John 16:23-24 and Eph. 3:11-12. (1)
- The catechism speaks of two specific things following our coming to prayer in Christ. How significant do you think these two things are? See Ps. 66:18 and Phil. 4:6.
Further thoughts: 1) Think in terms of a judge or law enforcement officer who performs his duty “in the name of the law.” What he is referring to is the authority of another who is greater, and who empowers the lesser to perform a duty and responsibility.
Harmony of the Standards: WSC Q98, WLC Q178-185
WSC Q98. What is prayer?
A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God[a], for things agreeable to his will[b], in the name of Christ[c], with confession of our sins[d], and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies[e].
[a] Ps. 10:17; 62:8; Matt. 7:7-8
[b] IJohn 5:14
[c] John 16:23-24
[d] Ps. 32:5-6; Dan. 9:4-19; IJohn 1:9
[e] Ps. 103:1-5; 136; Phil. 4:6
WLC Q178. What is prayer?
A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God[a], in the name of Christ[b], by the help of his Spirit[c]; with confession of our sins[d], and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies[e].
(a) Ps. 62:8
(b) John 16:23
(c) Rom. 8:26
(d) Ps. 32:5-6; Dan. 9:4
(e) Phil. 4:6
WLC Q179. Are we to pray unto God only?
A. God only being able to search the hearts[a], hear the requests[b], pardon the sins[c], and fulfill the desires of all[d]; and only to be believed in[e], and worshipped with religious worship[f]; prayer, which is a special part thereof[g], is to be made by all to him alone[h], and to none other[i].
(a) 1Kng. 8:39; Acts 1:24; Rom. 8:27
(b) Ps. 65:2
(c) Micah 7:8
(d) Ps. 145:18-19
(e) Rom. 10:14
(f) Mat. 4:10
(g) 1Cor. 1:2
(h) Ps. 50:15
(i) Rom. 10:14
WLC Q180. What is it to pray in the name of Christ?
A. To pray in the name of Christ is, in obedience to his command, and in confidence on his promises, to ask mercy for his sake[a]; not by bare mentioning of his name[b], but by drawing our encouragement to pray, and our boldness, strength, and hope of acceptance in prayer, from Christ and his mediation[c].
[a] John 14:13-14; 16:24; Dan. 9:17
[b] Mat. 7:21
[c] Heb. 4:14-16; 1John 5:13-15
WLC Q181. Why are we to pray in the name of Christ?
A. The sinfulness of man, and his distance from God by reason thereof, being so great, as that we can have no access into his presence without a mediator[a]; and there being none in heaven or earth appointed to, or fit for, that glorious work but Christ alone[b], we are to pray in no other name but his only[c].
[a] John 14:6; Isa. 59:2; Eph. 3:12
[b] John 6:27; Heb. 7:25-27; 1Tim. 2:5
[c] Col. 3:17; Heb. 13:15
WLC Q182. How doth the Spirit help us to pray?
A. We not knowing what to pray for as we ought, the Spirit helpeth our infirmities, by enabling us to understand both for whom, and what, and how prayer is to be made; and by working and quickening in our hearts (although not in all persons, nor at all times, in the same measure) those apprehensions, affections, and graces which are requisite for the right performance of that duty[a].
[a] Rom. 8:26-27; Ps. 10:17; Zech 12:10
WLC Q183. For whom are we to pray?
A. We are to pray for the whole church of Christ upon earth[a]; for magistrates[b], and ministers[c]; for ourselves[d], our brethren[e], yea, our enemies[f]; and for all sorts of men living[g], or that shall live hereafter[h]; but not for the dead[i], nor for those that are known to have sinned the sin unto death[j].
[a] Eph. 6:18; Ps. 28:9
[b] 1Tim. 2:1-2
[c] Col. 4:3
[d] Gen. 32:11
[e] Jam. 5:16
[f] Mat. 5:44
[g] 1Tim. 2:1-2
[h] John 17:20; 2Sam. 7:29
[i] 2Sam. 12:21-23
[j] 1John 5:16
WLC Q184. For what things are we to pray?
A. We are to pray for all things tending to the glory of God[a], the welfare of the church[b], our own[c] or others, good[d]; but not for anything that is unlawful[e].
[a] Mat. 6:9
[b] Ps. 51:18; Ps. 122:6
[c] Mat. 7:11
[d] Ps. 125:4
[e] 1John 5:14
WLC Q185. How are we to pray?
A. We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the majesty of God[a], and deep sense of our own unworthiness[b], necessities[c], and sins[d]; with penitent[e], thankful[f], and enlarged hearts[g]; with understanding,[h] faith[i], sincerity[j], fervency[k], love[l], and perseverance[m], waiting upon him[n], with humble submission to his will[o].
[a] Ecc. 5:1
[b] Gen. 18:27; 32:10
[c] Luke 15:17-19
[d] Luke 18:13-14
[e] Ps. 51:17
[f] Phil. 4:6
[g] 1Sam. 1:15; 2:1
[h] 1Cor. 14:15
[i] Mark 11:24; Jam. 1:6
[j] Ps. 145:18; 17:1
[k] Jam. 5:16
[l] 1Tim. 2:8
[m] Eph. 6:18
[n] Micah 7:7
[o] Mat. 26:39
Question(s) for further study:
The Shorter Catechism and its parallel Larger Catechism Question both list five instructive points, but there is one difference in the five. What is that difference and which other Larger Catechism Question(s) in this harmony address those points? What significance might one make from this different reading?
