The Baptist Catechism

    Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

    Question 178

    What is prayer?

    Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God,a in the name of Christ,b by the help of his Spirit;c with confession of our sins,d and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.e

    What is prayer?

    Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God,a in the name of Christ,b by the help of his Spirit;c with confession of our sins,d and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.e

    1. a. Psalm 62:8

      Psalm 62:8

      62:8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

      62:8 Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    2. b. John 16:23

      John 16:23

      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.

      16:23 In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    3. c. Romans 8:26

      Romans 8:26

      8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for 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.

      8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    4. d. Psalm 32:5–6; Daniel 9:4

      Psalm 32:5–6

      32:5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 32:6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

      32:5 Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah 32:6 Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.

      Daniel 9:4

      9:4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

      9:4 And I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed, "O, Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of loving devotion to those who love Him and keep His commandments,

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    5. e. Philippians 4:6

      Philippians 4:6

      4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

      4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    Related (2)

    The Baptist Catechism (1695), parallel to this question

    Question 105

    What is prayer?

    Prayer is an offering up our desires to God, by the assistance of the Holy Spirit, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, believing, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.

    Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647), parallel to this question

    Question 98

    What is prayer?

    Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies.

    Commentaries (9)