calvin on prayer, cont.

Part 2.  A summary of Book 3, Chapter 20 of Calvin’s Institutes.  

 

4. Who to pray through: The importance of a Mediator

5. Different types of prayer: The importance of prayer with thanksgiving

6. Private and public prayer

7. Use of words and singing in prayer

 

 

4. Who to pray through

 

It is impossible for any human to approach God’s presence in his own name, without alarm and dread for God’s majesty.  But God in his graciousness has provided his Son Jesus to be our advocate and mediator, through whom we can approach God boldly, securely, and confidently (Hebrews 4:16), knowing that nothing will be denied to us because nothing is denied to him (1 Timothy 2:5, 1 John 2:1). 

calvin on prayer

Part 1.  A Summary of Book 3, Chapter 20 of Calvin’s Institutes. Surprisingly practical!

 

1. Why is it so important?

2. If he knows everything, why bother praying?

3. Rules of engagement

 

1. Why is it so important?

 

Man is utterly destitute and without hope, were it not for God’s intervention; but God has chosen to give us Christ, and so we call out to him, and the Spirit makes those requests possible. Prayer “digs up those treasures which the Gospel of our Lord discovers to the eye of faith”, and therefore is such a necessity because our only safety is in calling upon the name of our sovereign Father and resting in his omniscience.