Concerning Prayer #

145. What is prayer? #

Prayer is turning my heart toward God, to listen and to speak with him. 

(Psalms 84; 123; Matthew 7:7–11; John 17:1–9)

146. What should you seek in prayer? #

In prayer, I should seek not only God’s provision for my needs, but fellowship with God, who made me for fellowship with himself. 

(Exodus 33:7–11; Psalms 27:4, 8; 42:1–2; John 14:18–23; 1 John 1:3)

147. How can you have fellowship with God? #

Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, and union with him by the Holy Spirit, I have fellowship with God as his adopted child. I experience this in prayer, worship, God’s Word, the sacraments, and Christian community, as I daily follow him by faith. 

(Nehemiah 9:1–8; Psalm 65:1–4; John 15:9–17; Acts 2:42–47; Romans 8:14–17; 1 John 1:3–7)

148. Why should you pray? #

I should pray because God calls me to do so, because I was made for fellowship with him, because I need the help of his Holy Spirit, and because he has promised to answer the prayers of his people. 

(Exodus 33:7–11; Psalm 50:14–15; Matthew 7:7–11; Luke 18:18; Romans 8:26; 1 Timothy 2:1)

149. What should you pray? #

I should pray the Lord’s Prayer, the Psalms, the collected prayers of the Church, and my own prayers as the Spirit leads me. 

(1 Samuel 2:1–10; Psalms 2; 62:8; Luke 1:46–55; 2:25–35; Acts 4:24–30; Romans 8:26–27; Revelation 4:8–11)

150. When should you pray? #

I should pray at regular times throughout each day, with fellow Christians for prayer and worship, and whenever I am aware of a need for God’s grace. And I should learn to “pray without ceasing”  as I grow in the knowledge of God’s presence. 

(Nehemiah 2:4; Psalm 55:17; Daniel 6:10; Jonah 2; Matthew 15:21–28; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18; Hebrews 4:16; 5:7)