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

Thus much of the definition of prayer; now let us see what use may be made of this commandment, Pray ye thus. Seeing our Saviour commandeth his Disciples, and so even us also to pray to God; it is our duty, not only to present our prayers to God, but also to do it cheerfully and earnestly. Rom. 15. 30. Also, brethren I beseech you ⟨p. 17⟩that ye would strive with me by prayers to God for me. What is the cause, why the Lord doeth oft defer his blessings after our prayers? No cause, but that he might stir us up to be more fervent, & more earnestly to cry unto the Lord. Exod. 32. 10. When Moses prayeth to God in the behalf of the Israelites, the lord answers, Let me alone, as though his prayers did bind the Lord, and hinder him from executing his judgments. Wherefore this is good advise, for all Christian men to continue and to be zealous in prayer. If thou be an ignorant man, for shame learn to pray; seeing it is Gods commandment, make conscience of it. We see that there is no man unless he be desperately wicked, but will make some conscience of killing & stealing: and why is this? because it is Gods commandment; Thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal. Well ⟨p. 18⟩then; this also is Gods commandment to pray. Let this consideration breed in thee a conscience of this duty: and although thy corrupt nature shall draw thee away from it, yet strive to the contrary, and know it certainly, that the breach of this command, maketh thee as well guilty of damnation before God as any other. Furthermore, this must be a motive to prick thee forward to this duty, that as God commands us to pray, so also he gives the spirit of prayer, whereby the commandment is made easy unto us. If the Lord had commanded a thing impossible, then there had been some cause of discouragement, but commanding a thing through the grace of his spirit, very easy and profitable: how much more are we bound to the obedience of the same? Again, prayer is the key whereby we open the treasures ⟨p. 19⟩of God, and pull down his mercies upon us. For as the preaching of the word, serves to declare and to convey unto us Gods graces: so in prayer we come to have a live lie feeling of the same in our harts. And further, this must move us to prayer, seeing in prayer we have familiarity with Gods Majesty. It is an high favour for a man to be familiar with a Prince;