The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith

Then & Now · 42 of 42

6. Of Prayer

6. Of Prayer

Question 138: Wherefore is Prayer necessary for Christians?

Question 138: Wherefore is Prayer necessary for Christians?

Answer: Because it is the chief part of that thankfulness which God requireth of us, and also because God giveth them only his Grace and Holy Spirit, who with unfeigned gronings beg them continually of him and yeild him thanks for them.1075

  1. 1075. Matthew 7:7–8; Luke 11:9,13; Matthew 13:12; Psalm 50:15

Answer: Because it is the chief part of that thankfulness which God requireth of us, and also because God giveth them only his Grace and Holy Spirit, who with unfeigned gronings beg them continually of him and yeild him thanks for them.1074

  1. 1074. Matt 7:7–8; Luke 11:9,‸13; Matt 13:12; Ps 50:15

Question 139: What is required unto that Prayer which shall please God, and be heard of him?

Question 139: What is required unto that Prayer which shall please God, and be heard of him?

Answer: That we ask of the only true God, who hath1076 manifested himself in his Word, all things which he hath commanded to be1077 asked of him with a true affection and desire of our Heart, and through an inward1078 feeling of our need and1079 misery cast our selves down prostrate in the presence of his Divine Majesty, and1080 build our selves on this sure foundation, that we though unworthy, yet for Christ’s sake are1081 certainly heard of God, even as he hath1082 promised us in his Word.

  1. 1076. John 4:22,&c
  2. 1077. Romans 8:26; 1 John 5:14
  3. 1078. John 4:23–24; Psalm 145:18
  4. 1079. missing
  5. 1080. Psalm 2:11; Psalm 34:19; Isaiah 66:2
  6. 1081. Romans 10:14; Romans 8:15–16; James 1:6,&c
  7. 1082. John 14:13; John 15:16; John 16:23; Daniel 9:17–18; Psalm 7:7–8; Psalm 143:1

Answer: That we ask of the only true God, who hath1075 manifested himself in his Word, all things which he hath commanded to be1076 asked of him with a true affection and desire of our Heart, and through an inward1077 feeling of our need and1078 misery cast our selves down prostrate in the presence of his Divine Majesty, and1079 build our selves on this sure foundation, that we though unworthy, yet for Christ’s sake are1080 certainly heard of God, even as he hath1081 promised us in his Word.

  1. 1075. John 4:22,&c
  2. 1076. Rom 8:26; 1 John 5:14
  3. 1077. John 4:23–24; Ps 145:18
  4. 1078. [No reference printed in 1680]
  5. 1079. Ps 2:11; Ps 34:19; Isa 66:2
  6. 1080. Rom 10:14; Rom 8:15–16; Jas 1:6,&c
  7. 1081. John 14:13; John 15:16; John 16:23; Dan 9:17–18; Ps 7:7–8; Ps 143:1

Question 140: What are those things which he commandeth us to ask of him?

Question 140: What are those things which he commandeth us to ask of him?

Answer: All things1083 necessary both for Soul and Body, which our Lord Jesus Christ hath comprised in that Prayer, which himself hath taught us.

  1. 1083. Matthew 6:13; James 1:17

Answer: All things1082 necessary both for Soul and Body, which our Lord Jesus Christ hath comprised in that Prayer, which himself hath taught us.

  1. 1082. Matt 6:13; Jas 1:17

Question 141: What Prayer is that?

Question 141: What Prayer is that?

Answer: Our Father which 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 Trespaffes, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from Evil: for thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever, Amen.

Answer: Our Father which 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 Trespaffes, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from Evil: for thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever, Amen.

Question 142: Are Christians tied to this very Form of Prayer?

Question 142: Are Christians tied to this very Form of Prayer?

Answer: We are not; our Lord here delivereth to his Church a brief Sum of those things which we are to ask of God, but yet Christ will have us also to descend unto specials, and to ask particular Benefits: for this Form prescribed is nothing else but a Set or Course of certain Heads or Generals, whereunto all Benefits both corporal and spiritual may be referred; but yet all particulars of Prayer must agree & correspond with this general Form, although we are not tied to this Form, as appeareth from James 1:5 where the Apostle exhorts the Saints, if any did lack Wisdom, they should ask of God, which giveth to all liberally, but these as touching the Words, are not in the Form of Prayer particularly expressed, though they are included. Besides, we have Examples of Prayer both in the old and new Testament, which are not the very Form here expressed, albeit, all they asked was comprehended in this Prayer, wherefore the Form of Prayer delivered unto us by Christ, is wholly a thing indifferent.

Answer: We are not; our Lord here delivereth to his Church a brief Sum of those things which we are to ask of God, but yet Christ will have us also to descend unto specials, and to ask particular Benefits: for this Form prescribed is nothing else but a Set or Course of certain Heads or Generals, whereunto all Benefits both corporal and spiritual may be referred; but yet all particulars of Prayer must agree & correspond with this general Form, although we are not tied to this Form, as appeareth from Jas 1:5 where the Apostle exhorts the Saints, if any did lack Wisdom, they should ask of God, which giveth to all liberally, but these as touching the Words, are not in the Form of Prayer particularly expressed, though they are included. Besides, we have Examples of Prayer both in the old and new Testament, which are not the very Form here expressed, albeit, all they asked was comprehended in this Prayer, wherefore the Form of Prayer delivered unto us by Christ, is wholly a thing indifferent.

Question 143: Why doth Christ teach us to call God our Father?

Question 143: Why doth Christ teach us to call God our Father?

Answer: That presently in the very Entrance and Beginning of the Prayer, he might stir up in us such a Reverence, and Confidence of God as is meet for the Sons of God, which must be the ground and foundation of our Prayer, to wit, that God through Christ is made our1084 Father, and will much less deny us these things which we ask of him with a true Faith, than our earthly Parents deny unto us earthly things.

  1. 1084. Matthew 7:9–10; Luke 11:11

Answer: That presently in the very Entrance and Beginning of the Prayer, he might stir up in us such a Reverence, and Confidence of God as is meet for the Sons of God, which must be the ground and foundation of our Prayer, to wit, that God through Christ is made our1083 Father, and will much less deny us these things which we ask of him with a true Faith, than our earthly Parents deny unto us earthly things.

  1. 1083. Matt 7:9–10; Luke 11:11

Question 144: Why is that added, which art in Heaven?

Question 144: Why is that added, which art in Heaven?

Answer: That we1085 conceive not basely nor terrenely of God’s Heavenly Majesty, and also that we1086 look for, and expect from his Omnipotency whatsoever things are necessary for our Soul and Body.

  1. 1085. Jeremiah 23:24; Acts 17:24–25,27
  2. 1086. Romans 10:12

Answer: That we1084 conceive not basely nor terrenely of God’s Heavenly Majesty, and also that we1085 look for, and expect from his Omnipotency whatsoever things are necessary for our Soul and Body.

  1. 1084. Jer 23:24; Acts 17:24–25,‸27
  2. 1085. Rom 10:12

Question 145: What is the first Petition?

Question 145: What is the first Petition?

Answer: Hallowed be thy Name; that is, grant us, first to1087 know thee right, and worship, praise,1088 and magnifie thy Almightiness, Goodness, Justice, Mercy and Truth, shining in all thy Works; and further also to direct our whole Life, Thoughts, Words, and Works to this end, that thy most Holy Name be not reproach’d by us, but rather be1089 renowned with Honour, and Praises.

  1. 1087. John 17:3; Jeremiah 9:23–24; Jeremiah 31:33–34; Matthew 16:17; James 1:5; Psalm 119:105
  2. 1088. Psalm 119:137–138; Luke 1:45–46,&c; Luke 1:68,&c; Psalm 145:8–9,17; Exodus 34:5–7; Psalm 143:1–2,5,10–12; Jeremiah 31:3; Jeremiah 32:18–19,40–41; Jeremiah 33:11,20; Matthew 19:17; Romans 3:3–4; Romans 11:22–23; 2 Timothy 2:19
  3. 1089. Psalm 115:1; Psalm 71:8

Answer: Hallowed be thy Name; that is, grant us, first to1086 know thee right, and worship, praise,1087 and magnifie thy Almightiness, Goodness, Justice, Mercy and Truth, shining in all thy Works; and further also to direct our whole Life, Thoughts, Words, and Works to this end, that thy most Holy Name be not reproach’d by us, but rather be1088 renowned with Honour, and Praises.

  1. 1086. John 17:3; Jer 9:23–24; Jer 31:33–34; Matt 16:17; Jas 1:5; Ps 119:105
  2. 1087. Ps 119:137–138; Luke 1:45–46,&c; Luke 1:68,&c; Ps 145:8–9,‸17; Exod 34:5–7; Ps 143:1–2,‸5,‸10–12; Jer 31:3; Jer 32:18–19,‸40–41; Jer 33:11,‸20; Matt 19:17; Rom 3:3–4; Rom 11:22–23; 2 Tim 2:19
  3. 1088. Ps 115:1; Ps 71:8

Question 146: What is the second Petition?

Question 146: What is the second Petition?

Answer: Thy Kingdom come; that is, rule for us so by thy Word and Spirit, that we may1090 humble and Submit our selves more and more unto thee. Also preserve and increase thy1091 Church, destroy the Works of the Devil, and all Power that lifteth up it self against thy Majesty; make all those Councils frustrate, and void, which are1092 taken against thy Word, until at length thou raign fully and perfectly, when thou shalt be all1093 in all.

  1. 1090. Matthew 6:33; Psalm 119:5; Psalm 143:10
  2. 1091. Psalm 122:6–7; Psalm 51:18; 1 John 3:8; Romans 16:20
  3. 1092. Revelation 22:17,20; Romans 8:22–23
  4. 1093. 1 Corinthians 15:28

Answer: Thy Kingdom come; that is, rule for us so by thy Word and Spirit, that we may1089 humble and Submit our selves more and more unto thee. Also preserve and increase thy1090 Church, destroy the Works of the Devil, and all Power that lifteth up it self against thy Majesty; make all those Councils frustrate, and void, which are1091 taken against thy Word, until at length thou raign fully and perfectly, when thou shalt be all1092 in all.

  1. 1089. Matt 6:33; Ps 119:5; Ps 143:10
  2. 1090. Ps 122:6–7; Ps 51:18; 1 John 3:8; Rom 16:20
  3. 1091. Rev 22:17,‸20; Rom 8:22–23
  4. 1092. 1 Cor 15:28

Question 147: What is the third Petition?

Question 147: What is the third Petition?

Answer: Thy Will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven. That is, grant that we, and all Men, renouncing1094 and forsaking our own Will, may readily, and without any1095 grudging, obey thy Will, which is only holy; and that so every one of us may1096 faithfully perform that Duty and Charge which thou hast committed unto us, even as the blessed Angels do1097 in Heaven.

  1. 1094. Matthew 16:24; Titus 2:12
  2. 1095. Luke 22:42
  3. 1096. 1 Corinthians 7:24
  4. 1097. Psalm 103:20–21

Answer: Thy Will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven. That is, grant that we, and all Men, renouncing1093 and forsaking our own Will, may readily, and without any1094 grudging, obey thy Will, which is only holy; and that so every one of us may1095 faithfully perform that Duty and Charge which thou hast committed unto us, even as the blessed Angels do1096 in Heaven.

  1. 1093. Matt 16:24; Titus 2:12
  2. 1094. Luke 22:42
  3. 1095. 1 Cor 7:24
  4. 1096. Ps 103:20–21

Question 148: What is the fourth Petition?

Question 148: What is the fourth Petition?

Answer: Give us this Day our daily bread; that is, give unto us all things which1098 are needful for this Life, that by them we may acknowledg and confess thee to be the only Fountain from whence all good things1099 flow; and all our Care and Industry, and even thine own Gifts to be unfortunate1100 and noisom unto us except thou bless them; wherefore grant that turning our Trust away from all Creatures, we1101 place and repose it in thee alone.

  1. 1098. Psalm 145:15–16; Psalm 10:4; Matthew 6:25,&c
  2. 1099. Acts 17:27–28; Acts 14:16–17
  3. 1100. 1 Corinthians 15:58; Deuteronomy 8:3; Psalm 27:13
  4. 1101. Psalm 62:11

Answer: Give us this Day our daily bread; that is, give unto us all things which1097 are needful for this Life, that by them we may acknowledg and confess thee to be the only Fountain from whence all good things1098 flow; and all our Care and Industry, and even thine own Gifts to be unfortunate1099 and noisom unto us except thou bless them; wherefore grant that turning our Trust away from all Creatures, we1100 place and repose it in thee alone.

  1. 1097. Ps 145:15–16; Ps 10:4; Matt 6:25,&c
  2. 1098. Acts 17:27–28; Acts 14:16–17
  3. 1099. 1 Cor 15:58; Deut 8:3; Ps 27:13
  4. 1100. Ps 62:11

Question 149: What is the fifth Petition?

Question 149: What is the fifth Petition?

Answer: Forgive us our Trespaffes, as we forgive them that trespass against us. That is, even for the Blood of Christ do not1102 impute unto us most miserable and wretched sinners all our Offences, neither that Corruption which still cleaveth unto us, even as we also feel this Testimony of thy Grace in our Hearts, that we stedfastly purpose unfeignedly from1103 our Hearts, to pardon and forgive all those who have offended us.

  1. 1102. Psalm 51:1; Psalm 143:2
  2. 1103. Matthew 6:14

Answer: Forgive us our Trespaffes, as we forgive them that trespass against us. That is, even for the Blood of Christ do not1101 impute unto us most miserable and wretched sinners all our Offences, neither that Corruption which still cleaveth unto us, even as we also feel this Testimony of thy Grace in our Hearts, that we stedfastly purpose unfeignedly from1102 our Hearts, to pardon and forgive all those who have offended us.

  1. 1101. Ps 51:1; Ps 143:2
  2. 1102. Matt 6:14

Question 150: What is the sixth Petition?

Question 150: What is the sixth Petition?

Answer: Lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from Evil. That is, because we our selves, are so feeble and weak by Nature, that1104 we cannot stand so much as one Moment or Instant, and our most deadly Enemies1105 Satan, the1106 World, and our own1107 Flesh do incessantly oppugne and assault us, uphold thou us, and establish and strengthen us by the might of thy Spirit, that we may not in this spiritual1108 Combat yield as vanquished, but may so long stoutly withstand them, until at length1109 we get the full and perfect victory.

  1. 1104. John 15:5; Psalm 103:14
  2. 1105. 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:12
  3. 1106. John 15:19
  4. 1107. Romans 7:23; Galatians 5:17
  5. 1108. Matthew 26:41; Mark 13:33
  6. 1109. 1 Thessalonians 3:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Answer: Lead us not into Temptation, but deliver us from Evil. That is, because we our selves, are so feeble and weak by Nature, that1103 we cannot stand so much as one Moment or Instant, and our most deadly Enemies1104 Satan, the1105 World, and our own1106 Flesh do incessantly oppugne and assault us, uphold thou us, and establish and strengthen us by the might of thy Spirit, that we may not in this spiritual1107 Combat yield as vanquished, but may so long stoutly withstand them, until at length1108 we get the full and perfect victory.

  1. 1103. John 15:5; Ps 103:14
  2. 1104. 1 Pet 5:8; Eph 6:12
  3. 1105. John 15:19
  4. 1106. Rom 7:23; Gal 5:17
  5. 1107. Matt 26:41; Mark 13:33
  6. 1108. 1 Thess 3:13; 1 Thess 5:23

Question 151: How concludest thou this Prayer?

Question 151: How concludest thou this Prayer?

Answer: For thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory for ever. That is, we ask and crave all these things of thee, because seeing both thou art our King, and art Almighty, thou art both willing and able1110 to give them all unto us; and these things we therefore ask, that out of them, not unto us, but unto thy holy Name all Glory1111 may redound.

  1. 1110. Romans 10:11–12; 2 Peter 2:9
  2. 1111. Psalm 115:1; Jeremiah 33:8–9

Answer: For thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory for ever. That is, we ask and crave all these things of thee, because seeing both thou art our King, and art Almighty, thou art both willing and able1109 to give them all unto us; and these things we therefore ask, that out of them, not unto us, but unto thy holy Name all Glory1110 may redound.

  1. 1109. Rom 10:11–12; 2 Pet 2:9
  2. 1110. Ps 115:1; Jer 33:8–9

Question 152: What meaneth this Particle, Amen?

Question 152: What meaneth this Particle, Amen?

Answer: That the thing is sure, and out of doubt: for my Prayer is much more certainly heard of God, than I feel in my Heart that I unfeignedly1112 desire the same.

  1. 1112. 2 Corinthians 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:13

Answer: That the thing is sure, and out of doubt: for my Prayer is much more certainly heard of God, than I feel in my Heart that I unfeignedly1111 desire the same.

  1. 1111. 2 Cor 1:20; 2 Tim 2:13