The Westminster Confession's Larger Catechism gives a succinct answer to the question. How does the Text support this definition? Likewise, what does it mean to pray “in the name of Christ,” “by the help of his Spirit,” “with confession of our sins,” and with thanksgiving? This post breaks down the WCF’s definition of prayer by providing explanations from the Text supporting and clarifying each phrase.
Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God...
1 Samuel 1:15, But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the Lord.
Psalm 62:8, Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.
Lamentations 2:19, “Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord!
We can vocalize the pouring out of our hearts to God. With no less effect, we can also pour out our heart to God through silent discourse with him.
Prayers are to be presented to God...in the name of Christ.
John 14:13, Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
John 15:16, You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
John 16:23, ...Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.
Praying in the name of Christ does not mean simply adding a formulaic stamp on to the end of a prayer: "In Jesus' name, Amen." Praying in the name of Christ means praying with the authority of Christ and as Christ would himself pray. By praying in Christ, we are to make every effort to pray as Christ would pray (Stanley Grenz, Prayer, 22). If this sounds like too much for you on your own, look to the next clause of the catechism. We cannot do this without the help of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, look to the example of Jesus in the garden. Remember his prayer life was not driven exclusively by his own desires, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done" (Luke 22:42).
While praying "in Christ" does not mean less than attempting to pray according to the will of God, it does mean more than that. "But when you pray,...[pray] Our Father." We come to God as Father in prayer because God, the Son, invites us to "pray then like this." Likewise, it is his by his substitutionary death and mediatorial office that we are able to come to the Father in prayer.
Romans 8:34, Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.
Hebrews 7:25, Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
1 John 2:1, My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
By the help of his Spirit...we can pray according the will of God.
John Bunyan, in his A Discourse Touching Prayer, called this praying "by the strength or assistance of the Spirit."
Romans 8:26-27, Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
The passage above, as Bunyan recognized in his work on prayer, speaks to humanity's utter inability to pray according to God's will apart from the Spirit. Bunyan stated, "There is no man nor church in the world that can come to God in prayer, but by the assistance of the Holy Spirit." (Bunyan, The Works of John Bunyan vol. 1 [2006], 626-27).
With confession of our sins,...
Psalm 32:5, I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
Daniel 9:4, I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God..."
As the WCF and scriptural proofs clearly indicate, confession is a vital aspect of prayer. Prayer is the God-given means for confessing our sins to God. Likewise, prayer of confession is vital to restoring the broken fellowship between God and man and between one another.
James 5:16, Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
And thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.
Philippians 4:6-7, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Do you in everything give thanks to God for his mercies? I had a professor at Liberty University, Daniel Henderson (now President of Strategic Renewal), who had our class go around the room praying...with one condition. We could not ask God for anything. The first five minutes were for us to give thanks and praise to God. We did this exercise more than a few times and I've since used this same tactic in several churches, small groups, or bible studies. We can get so wrapped up in asking God for things in prayer that we forget this vital aspect of prayer, thanksgiving. Our belief and practice of praying can devolve into little more than a belief and practice of asking.
This is not to say that we are not to ask for anything in prayer. Clearly James taught that we ought to ask for things in accordance with God's will.
Nonetheless, we are to give thanks in prayer. To not give thanks in prayer is to be in contempt with God and his will for your life.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Conclusion
The WCF supplies us with a solid definition of prayer. The modifying phrases acknowledge that prayer is much more than just asking God for things. First, it is pouring out our heart to God. The foundation of this for you and I is love. Do you love God with all your heart? Do you open up your heart in affection to him through prayer?
Second, true prayer is offered up in Christ. He is the mediator between God and man. There is no greater example nor other means for coming to the Father except through Christ.
Third, the Spirit is the divine enabler to pray according to God's will. We are unable to pray apart from the Spirit.
Fourth, prayer is much more than just asking. Prayer includes confessing our sin and giving thanks for all of God’s mercies.
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