Concerning Prayer
Part III: Belonging to Christ • Questions 154–159
Question 154: What is prayer?
Prayer is turning my heart toward God, to listen and to speak with him.
Scripture: Psalms 84; 123; Matthew 7:7–11; John 17:1–9
Question 155: What should you seek in prayer?
In prayer, I should seek not only God’s provision for my needs, but fellowship with God, who made me for fellowship with himself.
Scripture: Exodus 33:7–11; Psalms 27:4, 8; 42:1–2; John 14:18–23; 1 John 1:3
Question 156: How can you have fellowship with God?
Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, and union with him by the Holy Spirit, I have fellowship with God as his adopted child. I experience this in prayer, worship, God’s Word, the sacraments, and Christian community, as I daily follow him by faith.
Scripture: Nehemiah 9:1–8; Psalm 65:1–4; John 15:9–17; Acts 2:42–47; Romans 8:14–17; 1 John 1:3–7
Question 157: Why should you pray?
I should pray because God calls me to do so, because I was made for fellowship with him, because I need the help of his Holy Spirit, and because he has promised to answer the prayers of his people.
Scripture: Exodus 33:7–11; Psalm 50:14–15; Matthew 7:7–11; Luke 18:1–8; Romans 8:26; 1 Timothy 2:1
Question 158: What should you pray?
I should pray the Lord’s Prayer, the Psalms, the collected prayers of the Church, and my own prayers as the Spirit leads me.
Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:1–10; Psalms 2; 62:8; Luke 1:46–55; 2:25–35; Acts 4:24–30; Romans 8:26–27; Revelation 4:8–11
Question 159: When should you pray?
I should pray at regular times throughout each day, with fellow Christians for prayer and worship, and whenever I am aware of a need for God’s grace. And I should learn to “pray without ceasing” as I grow in the knowledge of God’s presence.
Scripture: Nehemiah 2:4; Psalm 55:17; Daniel 6:10; Jonah 2; Matthew 15:21–28; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18; Hebrews 4:16; 5:7