Westminster Larger Catechism (1647), Westminster Assembly

Question 179

Are we to pray unto God only?

God only being able to search the hearts,a hear the requests,b pardon the sins,c and fulfil the desires of all;d and only to be believed in,e and worshiped with religious worship;f prayer, which is a special part thereof,g is to be made by all to him alone,h and to none other.i

Are we to pray unto God only?

God only being able to search the hearts,a hear the requests,b pardon the sins,c and fulfill the desires of all;d and only to be believed in,e and worshiped with religious worship;f prayer, which is a special part thereof,g is to be made by all to him alone,h and to none other.i

  1. a. 1 Kings 8:39; Acts 1:24; Romans 8:27

    1 Kings 8:39

    8:39 Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

    8:39 be heard by You from heaven, Your dwelling place. And may You forgive and act, and repay each man according to all his ways, since You know his heart-for You alone know the hearts of all men-

    Acts 1:24

    1:24 And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

    1:24 And they prayed, "Lord, You know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen

    Romans 8:27

    8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

    8:27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  2. b. Psalm 65:2

    Psalm 65:2

    65:2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.

    65:2 O You who listen to prayer, all people will come to You.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  3. c. Micah 7:18

    Micah 7:18

    7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

    7:18 Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance-who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  4. d. Psalm 145:18

    Psalm 145:18

    145:18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

    145:18 The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth.

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  5. e. Romans 10:14

    Romans 10:14

    10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

    10:14 How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  6. f. Matthew 4:10

    Matthew 4:10

    4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

    4:10 "Away from Me, Satan!" Jesus declared. "For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.'"

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  7. g. 1 Corinthians 1:2

    1 Corinthians 1:2

    1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

    1:2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  8. h. Psalm 50:15

    Psalm 50:15

    50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

    50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me."

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

  9. i. Romans 10:14

    Romans 10:14

    10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

    10:14 How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?

    King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

Related (1)

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 (8)