The Westminster Larger Catechism
Q. 184. For what things are we to pray?
A. We are to pray for all things
tending to the glory of God, the welfare of the church, our own or
others, good; but not for anything that is unlawful.
1. Pray for whatever will bring glory
to God. Matthew 6:9 "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our
Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name." We are not to think
first of our own problems and needs, but of God's honor and glory. We
learn what things will glorify God only in Scripture.
2. Pray for the welfare of the church.
Psalm 51:18 "Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; Build the
walls of Jerusalem." "The true welfare of God's people,
and even the peace and prosperity of the nations of the world, really
depends on the spiritual welfare and security of the church. (J. Vos)
3. Pray for our own or others good.
Psalm 125:4 "Do good, O LORD, to those who are good, and to
those who are upright in their hearts." This involves temporal
good, so far as it leads to God's glory. We must pray mainly for the
spiritual and eternal good of ourselves and others.
4. Do not pray for what is unlawful. 1
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. Ps. 66:18 If I
regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.
No comments:
Post a Comment