Lord’s Day 45

Q117. How does God want us to pray so that he will listen?

First, we must pray from the heart to the one true God only, asking for what he has told us to ask for. Second, we must honestly admit our needs and not hide anything, coming humbly before our great God. Third, we must trust this solid promise: even though we don't deserve it, God will surely hear our prayer because of Christ our Lord. That is what he promised us in his Word.

Scripture Proofs — King James Version

Psalm 145:18–20

John 4:22–24

Romans 8:26–27

James 1:5

1 John 5:14–15

2 Chronicles 7:14

Psalm 2:11

Psalm 34:18

Psalm 62:8

“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”

Isaiah 66:2

Revelation 4

Daniel 9:17–18

Matthew 7:8

John 14:13–14

John 16:23

“And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.”

Romans 10:13

James 1:6

Parent Guide

Discuss this question together

Discussion Questions

1
What three things does the catechism say about how God wants us to pray?
2
Why should we be honest with God about our needs instead of hiding things?
3
How does knowing that God hears us because of Jesus change the way we pray?

Illustration

When you talk to a good friend, you do not pretend everything is fine when it is not. You tell them what is going on because you trust them. God invites us to come honestly, without pretending. He already knows everything anyway, but he wants us to bring it to him ourselves.

Application

In your prayers this week, tell God about something you normally keep to yourself. It could be a worry, a sin, or a question. Because God promises to hear you through Christ, you do not need to clean yourself up before you come to him.