prayer | PRO35

117. Q. What belongs to a prayer which pleases God and is heard by Him?

A. First, we must from the heart call upon the one true God only, who has revealed Himself in His Word, for all that He has commanded us to pray.[1] Second, we must thoroughly know our need and misery, so that we may humble ourselves before God.[2] Third, we must rest on this firm foundation that, although we do not deserve it, God will certainly hear our prayer for the sake of Christ our Lord, as He has promised us in His Word.[3]

[1] Ps. 145:18-20; John 4:22-24; Rom. 8:26, 27; James 1:5; I John 5:14, 15; Rev. 19:10. [2] II Chron. 7:14; 20:12; Ps. 2:11; 34:18; 62:8; Is. 66:2; Rev. 4. [3] Dan. 9:17-19; Matt. 7:8; John 14:13, 14; 16:23; Rom. 10:13; James 1:6.

henry method for prayer Let us now lift up our hearts, with our eyes and hands, to God in heaven. Lamentations 3:41

Let us rouse ourselves to take hold of God, Isaiah 64:7 to seek his face, Psalm 27:8 and to ascribe to him the glory due his name. Psalm 29:2

Unto you, O Lord, do we lift up our souls. Psalm 25:1

Let us now with confidence enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh. Hebrews 10:19-20

Let us now attend to the Lord with undivided devotion, 1 Cor 7:35 and let not our hearts be far from him when we draw near to him with our mouths and honor him with our lips. Isaiah 29:13

Let us now worship God, who is spirit, in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. John 4:23–24

Matthew Henry, A Method For Prayer