HenryWSC 98

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 98

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Is it every one’s duty to pray? Yes: Men ought always to pray,
Luke 18:1
. Call a man be a good man who lives without prayer? No: Every one that is godly shall pray,
Ps. 32:6
. Are we to pray daily? Yes: Morning, and evening, and at noon, will I pray,
Ps. 55:17
. Are we to pray continually? Yes: Pray without ceasing,
1 Thess. 5:17
. Are we to pray in secret? Yes Thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and shut thy door,
Matt. 6:6
. Are we to pray when we are in affliction? Yes: Is any among you afflicted, let him pray,
James 5:13
.
Are we to pray to God only? Yes: for he only knows the hearts of all the children of men,
1 Kings 8:39
. May we pray to departed saints to pray for us? No: for Abraham is ignorant of us,
Isa. 63:16
. Is prayer the soul’s ascent to God? Yes: Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul,
Ps. 25:1
. Is it the soul’s converse with God? Yes: Pour out your hearts before him,
Ps. 62:8
. Are we in prayer to ascribe glory to God? Yes: Give unto the Lord glory and strength,
Ps. 96:7
. And to ask mercy of God? Yes: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find,
Matt. 7:7
.
Are we to pray to God for things agreeable to his will? Yes: If we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us,
1 John 5:14
. Must we pray for pardoning mercy, and sanctifying grace? Yes: Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need,
Heb. 4:16
. Are God’s promises to be the guide of our desires in prayer? Yes: Remember thy word unto thy servant, Ps. 114:49. And the ground of our faith? Yes: For I hope in thy word, ver. 81.
Must we pray in the name of Christ? Yes: Whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do,
John 19:13
. Relying on his righteousness alone? Yes: For we have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
Heb. 10:19
. Must we pray in faith? Yes: Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering,
James 1:6
. Depending on the assistance of the Holy Spirit? Yes: for the Spirit helpeth our infirmities,
Rom. 8:26
.
Must we in prayer make confession of sin? Yes: I prayed to the Lord my God, and made my confession,
Dan. 9:4
. And must we give thanks for mercies received? Yes: Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
Ps. 100:4
.
Must we be constant in prayer? Yes: I gave myself unto prayer,
Ps. 109:4
. And humble in prayer? Yes: for we are but dust and ashes,
Gen. 18:27
. And earnest in prayer? Yes: Always labouring fervently in prayer,
Col. 4:12
. Must we in sincerity set God before us in prayer? Yes: Let us draw near with a true heart,
Heb. 10:22
. Must we pray in charity? Yes: Lifting up pure hands without wrath,
1 Tim. 2:8
.
Will God hear and accept those who thus pray to him? Yes: He never said to the seed of Jacob, seek ye me in vain,
Isa. 45:19
. But will the love of sin spoil the success of prayer Yes: If I regard iniquity in my heart, God will not hear me,
Ps. 66:18
.
HenryWSC 98