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A: Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God for things agreeable to his will, in the name of Christ, with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgement of his mercies.

In prayer we pour out our desires before God. "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us." Ps. 62:8. Those desires we pour out before God, or offer up unto Him, should be regulated and limited by His will. We are not at liberty to desire anything, but we should subject our desires unto Godís will. It is written that intercession is made, according to the will of God. "And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." Rom. 8:27. So, the divine prayer is according to Godís will. Therefore also our prayer should be agreeable to His will. We should forsake own will, and wholly subject both ourselves and our desires unto Godís will. Further, whenever we pray, we should pray in the Name of Christ. Without Christ there is no access to the Father. The one and only access is through Christ. Therefore we should pray in Christís Name. When on earth, Jesus told His disciples that they should do that: "Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, he will give it you." Joh. 16:23.

When praying we always should keep in mind that we, sinful and defiled people, are coming in Godís presence; the presence of the perfect and holy God. Knowing our sins, we should confess them in our prayers. An example hereof we find in Danielís prayer. "And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession." Dan. 9:4.

Our prayers should contain a thankful acknowledgement of Godís mercies. His mercies are new daily. Every day He loads us with His graces. He gives us whatever we need. Therefore, let we thankfully acknowledge Godís mercies. Paul wrote that we should pray with thanksgiving: "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philip. 4:6.

A: The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in prayer; but the special rule of direction is that form of prayer which Christ taught his disciples, commonly called "The Lords Prayer".

Has God given rules to direct us in our prayer? For, we are not at liberty, nor are we able, to pray a good prayer without divine direction and guidance. God indeed has given us a rule; even more then one. In the whole Word, we find many prayers. These may direct us, and serve as examples for our prayer. If we pray after such an example, then we pray according to Godís will. "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us." 1 Joh. 5:14. There is one special prayer contained in the Scriptures. That is the prayer Jesus gave as an example to His disciples. They asked Him to teach them to pray, and Jesus gave them that prayer, that begins with "Our Father". Jesus said: "After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." Matt. 6:9-13.

The Lordís Prayer consists of a preface, six petitions, and a conclusion.

A: The preface of the Lordís prayer, [which is, "Our Father which art in heaven",] teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence, as children to a father, able and ready to help us; and that we should pray with and for others.

"Our Father which art in heaven". Our prayer begins with this sentence. We see that He is "in heaven", which teaches us that He is not on earth. So, when we draw near to God in prayer, we should keep in mind that we are on this low earth, and that He is in the high heaven. Therefore let us draw near to God with all holy reverence. Reverence - that is necessary. "Be not wroth very sore, O LORD, neither remember iniquity for ever: behold, see, we beseech thee, we are all thy people." Isa. 64:9. Because God is so high and so mighty, He is able to give us whatever we ask from Him. Ask we Him for the Holy Spirit? He is able to give Him to us. "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?" Luke 11:13. God is able and ready to help us.

"Our Father which art in heaven". We call Him "our Father". This title, "Father", teaches us that we may draw near Him as children to a father. He is able and ready to help us. "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." Rom. 8:15. His dwellingplace in heaven might frighten us, because of His majesty and greatness. But when we call Him "Father", we understand that He, though He is majestic, yet He also is a kind Father for us.

"Our Father which art in heaven". We call Him "our" Father. This word "our" has also its use. It teaches us that we not only pray for ourselves, but we should pray with and for others. "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." Eph. 6:18.

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