어린이, 청소년 웨스트민스터 소요리문답 교재 (40) 98-99문 [기도는 무엇입니까? 우리에게 기도를 가르쳐 주시고자 하나님께서 주신 지침은 무엇입니까?]

The Means of Grace : Prayer – Questions 98-99

 

Q. 98. What is prayer?

Prayer is an offering up of our desires to God,[a] for things agreeable to his will,[b] in the name of Christ,[c] with confession of our sins[d] and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies.[e]

[a]. Psa 10:17; Psa 62:8;   Mat 7:7-8
[b]. 1 John 5:14
[c]. John 16:23-24
[d]. Psa 32:5-6;   Dan 9:4-19;   1 John 1:9
[e]. Psa 103:1-5;   Psa 136:1-26;   Php 4:6

Comment on Q. 98.
Prayer does not have to be audible to be true prayer. John Calvin (1509-1564), the great church reformer, describes prayer as ‘an intimate conversation of the pious with God.’ That is not prayer in which the heart is not engaged. We cannot truly call on God if we do not know him. Only in the gospel does his grace and mercy become known so that we may approach him with confidence.

 

Q. 99. What rule has God given for our direction in prayer?

The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer,[a] but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called the Lord’s Prayer.[b]

[a]. 1 John 5:14
[b]. Mat 6:9-13

Comment on Q. 99.
The whole Bible can help us in prayer since it is the revelation of God’s will. It also includes many examples of prayer. What is truly the Lord’s Prayer is found in John 17. But in what is commonly called the Lord’s Prayer we have a pattern to guide us in our prayer. It is not a rigid form or liturgy, and the early church prayed freely (Acts 1:24, 25; Acts 4:24-30). But we may use it as a prayer in its own right, and as a help in framing our own prayers.