Prayer

In our previous study on the subject of Personal Worship....we dealt with the matter of confession of sin.

We will consider several aspects that relate to effective praying.

Shorter Catechism: 'Prayer is an 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 acknowledgment of his mercies.

We are never warranted to pray for things outside of the revealed will of God or for things that would not ultimately be for His glory.

This places upon us the demand to know the Scriptures.

By knowing the Scriptures we do not mean a mere intellectual understanding…but rather an assimilation of the truth into every facet of our life.
If what we are praying for would in anyway detract from the glory of God you can be sure that it is not within the realm of God's will.

I Cor. 10:31 'Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God'.

WE MUST COME TO THE PLACE WHERE GOD'S GLORY TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER OUR OWN PERSONAL NEEDS OR DESIRES.

The next phrase in our definition states that we are to pray in the name of Christ.

To pray unto God in the name of Christ is not merely to mention the name of Christ at the conclusion of our prayers.

It is to consciously depend upon Christ alone for admittance and access unto God in prayer.