232. How does God initiate prayer?
God first comes and speaks to us through His Word, thus inviting us to respond in prayer. In His Word, God
A. commands us to approach Him in prayer to show how earnestly He wants to help us;
Psalm 105:1 Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
B. promises to hear our prayers so that we can approach Him in confidence;
Matthew 21:22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.
John 16:24 Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.
James 1:6-7 Let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord.
C. gives us the very words that we can use in prayer and that can serve as a pattern for prayer.
Matthew 6:9 Pray then like this: "Our Father in Heaven."
Note: The Book of Psalms, often called "the prayer book of the Bible," is filled with prayers that our Father gives us to use. Jesus often referred to the Psalms and prayed them (Matthew 27:46 [Psalm 22:1]; Luke 23:46 [Psalm 31:5]; Matthew 21:16 [Psalm 8:2]; Matthew 22:44 [Psalm 110:1]; John 10 [Psalm 23; 95]), and Christians have followed His example in worship and personal prayer ever since.
Eventual commentary
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