of our own unworthiness, (1) necessities, (2) and sins; (3) with penitent, (4) thankful, (5) and enlarged hearts; (6) with understanding, (7) faith, (8) sincerity, (9) fervency, (10) love, (11)

(1) Gen. xviii. 27. And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes. Ps. cxliv. 3.

(2) Ps. lxxxvi. 1. Bow down thine ear, O Lord, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Luke xv. 17, 18, 19.

(3) Ps. cxxx. 3. If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? Luke xviii. 13. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

(4) Ps. li. 17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Zech. xii. 10, &c.

(5) Phil. iv. 6.-In every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. I Thess. v. 18.

(6) Ps. lxxxi. 10.-Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. Eph. iii, 20, 21. Now, unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church, &c.

(7) 1 Cor. xiv. 15. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding

also.

(8) Heb. x. 22. Let us draw near-in full assurance of faith, &c. James i. 6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.

(9) Heb. x. 22. Let us draw near with a true heart. Ps. cxlv. 18. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him,-in truth. Ps. xvii. 1. John iv. 24.

(10) James v. 16.-The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

(11) 1 Tim. ii. 8. I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting Matt. v. 23, 24.

and perseverance, (1) waiting upon him (2) with humble submission to his will. (3)

Q. 186. What rule hath God given for our direction in the duty of prayer?

A. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in the duty of prayer; (4) but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which our Saviour Christ taught his disciples, commonly called, The Lord's Prayer. (5)

Q. 187. How is the Lord's prayer to be used?

A. The Lord's prayer is not only for direction, as a pattern according to which we are to make other prayers; but may be also used as a prayer, so that it be done with understanding, faith, reverence, and other graces necessary to the right performance of the duty of prayer. (6) Q. 188. Of how many parts doth the Lord's prayer consist?

(1) Eph. vi. 18. supplication in the all perseverance.

Praying always with all prayer and
Spirit, and watching thereunto with

(2) Mic. vii. 7. Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.

(3) Matt. xxvi. 39. And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

(4) 2 Tim. iii. 16, 17. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,-that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 1 John v. 14.

(5) Matt. vi. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. Luke xi. 2, 3, 4. (6) Matt. vi. 9. After this manner, pray ye. Luke xi. 2.-When ye pray, say, Our Father, &c.

A. The Lord's prayer consists of three parts, a preface, petitions, and a conclusion.

Q. 189. What doth the preface of the Lord's prayer teach us?

A. The preface of the Lord's prayer (contained in these words, Our Father which art in heaven) (1) teacheth us, when we pray, to draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness, and our interest therein; (2) with reverence, and all other childlike dispositions, (3) heavenly affections, (4) and due apprehensions of his sovereign power, majesty, and gracious condescension: (5) as also to pray with and for others. (6)

Q. 190. What do we pray for in the first, petition?

(1) Matt. vi. 9.

Luke xi. 13. If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him. Rom. viii. 15.

(3) Ps. xcv. 6, 7.-Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Isa. lxiv. 9.

(4) Ps. cxxiii. 1. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Lam. iii. 41. Let us lift up our heart, with our hands unto God in the heavens.

(5) Ps. civ. 1, 2. Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, thou art very great; thou art clothed with honour and majesty. Isa. lxiii. 15. Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies towards me? are they restrained? Ps. cxiii. 4, 5, 6.

(6) Acts xii. 5. Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. Zech. viii. 21.

A. In the first petition, (which is, Hallowed be thy name) (1) acknowledging the utter inability and indisposition that is in ourselves and all men to honour God aright; (2) we pray, that God would by his grace enable and incline us and others to know, to acknowledge, and highly to esteem him, (3) his titles, (4) attributes, (5) ordinances, word,(6) works, and whatsoever he is pleased to make himself known by; (7) and to glorify him in thought, word, (8)

(1) Matt. vi. 9. (2) 2 Cor. iii. 5. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves: but our sufficiency is of God. Ps. li. 15. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.

(3) Ps. lxvii. 2, 3. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. Let the people praise thee, O God; let all the people praise thee. Ps. 1xxii. 19.-Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Eph. iii. 20, 21. (4) Ps. lxxxiii. 18. whose name alone is over all the earth.

That men may know that thou, JEHOVAH, art the Most High

(5) Ps. cxlv. 6, 7, 8. And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts; and I will declare thy greatness. They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness. The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. Ps. lxxxvi. 10, 15.

(6) 2 Thess. iii. 1. Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you. Ps. cvii. 32. Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders. 2 Cor. ii. 14.

(7) Ps. viii. and cxlv. throughout.

(8) Ps. xix. 14. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditations of mine heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

and deed; (1) that he would prevent and remove atheism, (2) ignorance, (3) idolatry, (4) profaneness, (5) and whatsoever is dishonourable to him; (6) and by his overruling providence, direct and dispose of all things to his own glory. (7)

Q. 191. What do we pray for in the second petition?

A. In the second petition, (which is, Thy kingdom come) (8) acknowledging ourselves and all mankind to be by nature under the

(1) Phil. i. 11. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

(2) Ps. lxxix. 10. Where is their God heathen in our sight. (3) Eph. i. 17, 18. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; &c.

Wherefore should the heathen say,
Let him be known among the
Ps. lxvii. 1—4.

(4) Ps. xcvii. 7.. Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

(5) Ps. lxxiv. 18, 22. Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O Lord, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.-Arise, O God, plead thine own cause; remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.

(6) Jer. xiv, 21.-For thy name's sake; do not disgrace the throne of thy glory. 2 Kings xix. 16.

(7) Isa. lxiv. 1, 2. O that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,-to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence! 2 Chron. xx. 6, 10, 11, 12. (8) Matt. vi. 10.