Geneva Catechism (241 - 250)

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Q. 241. Does this feeling flow from the temper natural to man, or does it proceed from the grace of God?

A. Here God must come to our aid. For we are altogether stupid in regard to both. (Rom. viii. 25.) It is the Spirit of God who excites in us groanings which cannot be uttered, and frames our minds to the desires which are requisite in prayer, as Paul says. (Gal. iv. 6.)

Q. 242. Is it the meaning of this doctrine, that we are to sit still, and, in a kind of vacillating state, wait for the motions of the Spirit, and not that each one is to urge himself to pray?

A. By no means. The meaning rather is, that when believers feel themselves cold or sluggish, and somewhat indisposed to pray, they should forthwith flee to God, and beseech him to inflame them by the fiery darts of his Spirit, that they may be rendered fit to pray.

Q. 243. You do not, however, mean that there is to be no use of the tongue in prayer?

A. Not at all. For it often helps to sustain the mind, and keep it from being so easily drawn off from God. Besides, as it, more than other members, was created to display the glory of God, it is right that it be employed to this purpose, to the whole extent of its capacity. Moreover, vehemence of desire occasionally impels a man to break forth into utterance with the tongue without intending it.

Q. 244. If so, what profit have those who pray in a foreign tongue not understood by them?

A. It is nothing else than to sport with God. Christians, therefore, should have nothing to do with this hypocrisy. (1 Cor. xiv. 15.)

Q. 245. But when we pray do we do it fortuitously, uncertain of success, or ought we to feel assured that the Lord will hear us?

A. The foundation of our prayer should always be, that the Lord will hear us, and that we shall obtain whatever we ask, in so far as is for our good. For this reason Paul tells us, that true prayer flows from faith. (Rom. x. 14.) For no man will ever duly call upon him, without previously resting with firm reliance on his goodness.

Q. 246. What then will become of those who pray in doubt, and without fixing in their minds what profit they are to gain by praying, nay, are uncertain whether or not their prayers will be heard by God?

A. Their prayers are vain and void, not being supported by any promise. For we are ordered to ask with sure faith, and the promise is added, that whatever we shall ask, believing, we shall receive. (Matt. xxi. 22; Mark xi. 24; James i. 6.)

Q. 247. It remains to be seen wherein we have such great confidence, that while unworthy, on so many accounts, of appearing in the presence of God, we however dare to sist ourselves before him.

A. First, we have promises by which we must simply abide, without. making any reference to our own worthiness. Secondly, if we are sons, God animates and instigates us by his Spirit, so that we doubt not to betake ourselves to him in a familiar manner, as to a father. As we are like worms, and are oppressed by the consciousness of our sins, God, in order that we may not tremble at his glorious majesty, sets forth Christ as a Mediator, through whom we obtain access, and have no doubt at all of obtaining favour. (Psalm iv. 15; xci. 15; cxlv. 18; Isaiah xxx. 19; lxv. 1; Jer. xxix. 12; Joel ii 32; Rom. viii. 25; x. 13.)

Q. 248. Do you understand that we are to pray to God only in the name of Christ?

A. I so understand. For it is both so enjoined in distinct terms, and the promise is added, that he will by his intercession obtain what we ask. (1 Tim. ii. 5; 1 John ii. 1.)

Q. 249. He is not then to be accused of rashness or presumption, who, trusting to this Advocate, makes a familiar approach to God, and holds forth to God and to himself Christ as the only one through whom he is to be heard? (Heb. iv. 14.)

A. By no means: For he who thus prays conceives his prayers as it were at the lips of Christ, seeing he knows, that by the intercession of Christ, his prayer is assisted and recommended. (Rom. viii. 15.)

Q. 250. Let us now consider what the prayers of believers ought to contain. Is it lawful to ask of God whatever comes into our mind, or is a certain rule to be observed?

A. It were a very preposterous method of prayer to indulge our own desires and the judgment of the flesh. We are too ignorant to be able to judge what is expedient for us, and we labour under an intemperance of desire, to which it is necessary that a bridle be applied.

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