_265. What is prayer?_
Prayer is the child-like communion of our hearts with God, in which we
tell Him all our needs, and earnestly seek some gift from Him.
_266. Who should pray?_
All should pray; even little children.
_267. But can all pray in this manner?_
No, not the impenitent; their hearts are not right with God, and they
do not seek Him earnestly.
_268. In whose name must we pray?_
We must pray in the name of Jesus.
=John 16:23. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall
ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.=
_269. What is meant by praying in the name of Jesus?_
To pray in the name of Jesus is to ask on the strength of what He has
done for us, and His intercession with the Father.
_270. How should we pray?_
We should pray humbly, confidently as a child, and reverently.
_271. When should we pray?_
The attitude of our hearts should be one of constant prayer, and our
communion with God should not be confined to certain times and places,
but we should speak with Him whenever we feel the need of it.
=1 Thess. 5:17. Pray without ceasing.=
=Eph. 6: 18. Praying always with all prayer and supplication in
the Spirit.=
_272. For whom should we pray?_
We should pray not only for ourselves, but also for others,--even our
enemies.
=1 Tim. 2:1-3. Matt. 5:44.=
_273. For what should we pray?_
First of all we should pray for the spiritual gifts necessary to our
salvation; but we may also pray for other gifts, both spiritual and
temporal.
=Matt. 6:33. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.=
=1 Cor. 12:31. Covet earnestly the best gifts.=
_274. What must we always remember when we pray for things not
necessary to our salvation?_
We must always remember that God alone knows whether such a prayer
answered would truly benefit us.
When asking such gifts we should always add, "Lord, if Thou wilt".
=Matt. 26:39. Not as I will, but as thou wilt.=
_275. Who teaches us to pray well?_
The Holy Spirit, who is also called the Spirit of prayer.
=Rom. 8:26. We know not what we should pray for as we ought: but
the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which
cannot be uttered.=
_276. Which is the most perfect prayer?_
The most perfect prayer is the Lord's Prayer, which Christ taught His
own disciples.
_277. Repeat this prayer._
Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; give us this day our
daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation; but deliver us
from evil; for Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for
ever and ever. Amen.
_278. Why would God have us speak to Him as "Our Father"?_
God would hereby tenderly invite us to believe that He is truly our
Father, and we are truly His children, so that we may ask of Him with
all cheerfulness and confidence, as dear children ask of their dear
father.
_279. Who alone can confidently call God Father?_
God's children alone can call God their Father.
_280. Why would God have us say "our Father" and not only "my
Father"?_
Because He would have us pray with one another and for one another, in
spiritual fellowship.
_281. What is the importance of the words "who art in heaven"?_
By these words we are reminded of the exalted love and power of our
heavenly Father, far above that of any earthly father.
=Matt. 7:11. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts
unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in
heaven give good things to them that ask him?=