What Sort of Prayer Pleases God?
The Heidelberg Catechism (1563)
Question 117. What belongs to a prayer which pleases God and is heard by Him?
Answer. First, we must from the heart call upon the one true
God only, who has revealed Himself in His Word, for all that He has
commanded us to pray.[1] Second, we must thoroughly know our need and
misery, so that we may humble ourselves before God.[2] Third, we must
rest on this firm foundation that, although we do not deserve it, God
will certainly hear our prayer for the sake of Christ our Lord, as He
has promised us in His Word.[3]
[1] Psalm 145:18-20; John 4:22-24; Romans 8:26, 27; James 1:5; I
John 5:14, 15; Revelation 19:10. [2] II Chronicles 7:14; 20:12; Psalm
2:11; 34:18; 62:8; Isaiah 66:2; Revelation 4. [3] Daniel 9:17-19;
Matthew 7:8; John 14:13, 14; 16:23; Romans 10:13; James 1:6.
Scripture References:
First, we must from the heart call upon the one true God only,
who has revealed Himself in His Word, for all that He has commanded us
to pray.
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He will also hear their cry and will save them.
The LORD keeps all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy. Psalm 145:18-20
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not
know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us
with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts
knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the
saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27
This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask
anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He
hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we
have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15
Second, we must thoroughly know our need and misery, so that we may humble ourselves before God.
" If I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or if I command
the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people,
and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and
seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from
heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles
7:13-14
The righteous cry, and the LORD hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
Psalm 34:17-19
Third, we must rest on this firm foundation that, although we do
not deserve it, God will certainly hear our prayer for the sake of
Christ our Lord, as He has promised us in His Word.
"So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his
supplications, and for Your sake, O Lord, let Your face shine on Your
desolate sanctuary. O my God, incline Your ear and hear! Open Your eyes
and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for
we are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any
merits of our own, but on account of Your great compassion. O Lord,
hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action! For Your own
sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are
called by Your name."
Daniel 9:17-19
"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. Matthew7:7-8
For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE
DISAPPOINTED." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for
the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on
Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."
Romans 10:11-13
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