What are the requisites of that prayer, which is acceptable to God, and which he will hear? First, that we from the heart pray [345] to the one true God only, who has manifested himself in his word, [346] for all things, he has commanded us to ask of him; [347] secondly, that we rightly and thoroughly know our need and misery, [348] that so we may deeply humble ourselves in the presence of his divine majesty; [349] thirdly, that we be fully persuaded that he, notwithstanding that we are unworthy of it, will, for the sake of Christ our Lord, certainly hear our prayer, [350] as he has promised us in his word. [351] Footnotes: [345] John 4:24; Ps. 145:18. [346] Rev. 19:10; John 4:22-24. [347] Rom. 8:26; 1 John 5:14; James 1:5 . [348] 2:Chron. 20:12. [349] Ps. 2:11; Ps. 34:19; Isa. 66:2[. [350] Rom. 10:14; James 1:6. [351] John 14:13, 14; John 16:23; Dan. 9:17, 18. |
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