Catechism Question 86
What is the proper attitude in prayer?
We should pray with love for God and our neighbor, perseverance, gratitude, humble submission to God’s will, and faith, knowing that God always hears our prayers because of Christ.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
This is the third in a series of questions on prayer. In this question, we ask what is the proper attitude in prayer. The previous question on why prayer is necessary for Christians mentioned that God will answer, but it also included the statement that we must come to Him properly. This question explores what that means.
The answer shows several key attitudes we must have in prayer. First, prayer must be prompted by love – both love for God and love for the people for whom we pray. Second, we must persevere in prayer. Some teach that if we have faith, we only ask once and then thank God it is done, but the Scripture clearly teaches otherwise – we must persevere in coming to God in prayer until we know the answer we have from Him. Third, we must pray with gratitude for the access we have to God in prayer, and for all of God’s many blessings. Fourth, we must pray with an attitude of submission to God’s will. Sometimes the answer to our request is “No” and we must be willing to accept this, knowing God’s wisdom is greater than ours and His will is always best. Finally, we must pray in faith, knowing that our loving Father delights to hear and answer our prayers because we are His children through Christ, and we come in the name of Jesus.
These attitudes are part of how prayer is two-way communication. In question 84 we saw that prayer often changes our own attitudes and desires. This question reflects on some of how that happens. If we strive to pray properly, it will often require wrestling through to see if our own will lines up with God’s will, if we are trusting in faith and expressing doubt, if we really love those for whom we pray. If we continue to pray through these things, we will find ourselves often being transformed as a result.
Additional Questions:
What is the proper way to pray?
What attitude should characterize us as we approach God in prayer?
Scripture References:
Psalms 42:1–2
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
Psalms 84:1–2
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
Luke 6:27–28
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Romans 12:14–15
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Ephesians 6:18
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
Luke 18:1–8
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2 He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3 And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’ 4 “For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care about men, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8 I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
1 John 5:14–15
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
Mark 11:22–24
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
James 1:5–8
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
John 14:13–14
And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Questions for Further Discussion:
Why is the proper attitude in prayer so important?
Can the wrong attitude in prayer eclipse the great promises God has given regarding hearing and answering our prayers?
Why is it important for us to persevere in prayer? Why would God want us to continue praying?
Why is it that we can pray in faith – because we have done all the right things and have the proper attitude, or because of Christ?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 117 of the Heidelberg Catechism, question 98 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism, and question 39 of the New City Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg Catechism, Westminster Shorter, or New City Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teaching series “Prayer” taught during October 2004, the series “Praying Like Jesus” taught during June-August 2013, and “Pray Like Jesus – The Lord’s Prayer” (August 26, 2012).
Suggested Worship Song:
Heal Our Land (Michael Card)
(The focus on 2 Chronicles 7:14 shows a lot about the proper attitude we should have in prayer.)
Forgive oh Lord and heal our land
And give us eyes to seek Your face and hearts to understand
That You alone make all things new
And the blessings of the land we love are really gifts from You
If My people will humbly pray and seek My face and turn away
From all their wicked ways
Then I will hear them and move My hand
And freely then will I forgive and I will heal their land
Unite our hearts in one accord
And make us hungry for Your peace and burdened for the poor
And grant us hope that we might see
The future for the land we love our life our liberty
If My people will humbly pray and seek My face and turn away
From all their wicked ways
Then I will hear them and move My hand
And freely then will I forgive and I will heal their land
If My people will humbly pray and seek My face and turn away
From all their wicked ways
Then I will hear them and move My hand
And freely then will I forgive and I will heal their land