An exposition of the Lords prayer in the way of catechism By William PerkinsAn exposition of the Lords praier in the way of catechisme By William Perkins

The sixth question is, whether saith be requisite to prayer or not. Answer. Prayer is to be made with faith, whereby a man may have a certain assurance to be heard. For he that prayeth, must steadfastly believe that God in Christ will grant his petition. This affiance being wanting, it maketh prayer to be no prayer. For how can be pray for any thing effectually, who doubteth whether he shall obtain it or no. Wherefore, it is an especial point of prayer, to be persuaded, that God to whom prayer is made, not only can, but also will grant his request. Mark 11. 24. Whatsoever ye desire when ye pray, believe that ye shall have it, and it shall be done unto you. ⟨p. 16⟩Here we see two things required in prayer; the first, a desire of the good things which we want, the second is faith, whereby we believe that God will grant the things desired. The ground of this faith, is reconciliation with God, & the assurance thereof. For unless a man be in conscience, in some measure persuaded, that all his sins are pardoned, and that he stands reconciled to God in Christ, he cannot believe any other promises revealed in the word, nor that any of his prayers shall be heard.

The sixt question is, whether saith be requisit to prayer or not. Answere. Praier is to be made with faith, whereby a man may haue a certaine assurance to be heard. For he that praieth, must stedfastly beleeue that God in Christ will grāt his petition. This affiance being wanting, it maketh praier to bee no praier. For how can be pray for any thing effectually, who doubteth whether he shall obtaine it or noe. Wherefore, it is an especiall pointe of prayer, to be perswaded, that God to whome praier is made, not onely can, but also will graunt his request. Marke 11. 24. Whatsoeuer yee desire vvhen yee praye, beleeue that yee shall haue it, and it shall bee doone vnto you. ⟨p. 16⟩Here we see two thinges required in praier; the first, a desire of the good thinges which we want, the second is faith, wherby we beleue that God will grant the thinges desired. The ground of this faith, is reconciliation with God, & the assurance thereof. For vnlesse a man be in conscience, in some mesure perswaded, that al his sinnes are pardoned, and that hee stands reconciled to God in Christ, hee cannot beleeue any other promises reuealed in the word, nor that any of his praiers shall be heard.