Prayer

Prayer, in classic Reformed and Puritan teaching, is far more than a religious duty. It is the voice of faith, the breath of the new nature, and the appointed means by which God's people receive what Christ has purchased. The authors gathered here treat prayer as both a profound privilege and a real struggle. They insist that prayer rests on God's promises, is shaped by the Spirit, and must be pursued with constancy and fervency. Without prayer, even preaching and labor are empty; with prayer, believers lay hold of the God who cannot deny his own Word.

Prayer rests on faith and grace, not merit

Charles Spurgeon is emphatic that prayer never clashes with grace. Faith desires and pleads only on the basis of grace, never on human merit (Romans 4:16). Moreover, faith never did clash with Grace. When the sinner comes and trusts Christ and Christ says to him, "I forgive you freely by My Grace," Faith says, "O Lord, that is what I need and what I believe in. I ask You to deal with me even so Charles Spurgeon, sermon “How Is Salvation Received?” This means the believer comes to God not because he deserves an answer, but because God has promised to be gracious. Jonathan Edwards makes the same point from another angle. He argues that if converts could not seek forgiveness through faith, it would be improper for them to pray for forgiveness, since Christian prayer is only the voice of faith. And if it be not proper for converts by faith to look to God through Christ for it, then it will follow, that it is not proper for them to pray for it; for christian prayer to God for a blessing, is but an expression of faith in God for that blessing; prayer is only the voice of faith Jonathan Edwards, “Justification by Faith Alone” Prayer, then, is not a work that earns favor. It is the cry of a heart already trusting Christ.

Edwards also shows that Christ directed his already converted disciples to pray for forgiveness of debts (Matthew 6:12). This prayer belongs to justification, because it asks God to release us from the punishment sin deserves. But if these things are so, it will follow that the petition of the Lord’s prayer, forgive us our debts, is not proper to be put up by disciples of Christ, or to be used in christian assemblies; and that Christ improperly directed his disciples to use that petition, when they were all of them, except Judas, converted before Jonathan Edwards, “Justification by Faith Alone”: To pray that God would forgive our debts, is undoubtedly the same thing as to pray that God would release us from obligation to due punishment; but releasing from obligation to the punishment due to sin, and forgiving the debt that we owe to divine justice, is what appertains to justification Jonathan Edwards, “Justification by Faith Alone” In other words, even justified believers continue to pray for the ongoing application of that forgiveness. Prayer is therefore not a one-time act but a continual expression of dependence on Christ's atoning work.

Prayer must be constant, specific, and submitted to God's will

Matthew Henry stresses that prayer should be constant, fervent, and persevering, and that it supports hope and patience (Romans 12:12). Prayer is a friend to hope and patience, and we do in it serve the Lord. Proskarterountes. It signifies both fervency and perseverance in prayer. We should not be cold in the duty, nor soon weary of it Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” He points to Paul's example in Romans 1:9, where the apostle speaks of praying without ceasing. Henry notes that Paul's example teaches constancy in prayer, meaning keeping stated and frequent times of prayer without fail. From Paul's example here we may learn, 1. Constancy in prayer: Always without ceasing. He did himself observe the same rules he gave to others, Eph. vi. 18; 1 Thess. v. 17. Not that Paul did nothing else but pray, but he kept up stated times for the solemn performance of that duty, and those very frequent, and observed without fail Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” It also teaches charity in prayer, since Paul prayed expressly for believers he did not personally know. 2. Charity in prayer: I make mention of you. Though he had not particular acquaintance with them, nor interest in them, yet he prayed for them; not only for all saints in general, but he made express mention of them. It is not unfit sometimes to be express in our prayers for particular churches and places; not to inform God, but to affect ourselves Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments”

Henry further insists that prayer should be specific. In prayer for ourselves and for friends, it is good to be specific about what we ask (Romans 15:30). He mentions particulars; for, in praying both for ourselves and for our friends, it is good to be particular Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” Christ wants us to tell him our particular needs even though he already knows them perfectly. What wilt thou that I shall do for thee? So says Christ, when he holds out the golden sceptre. Though he knows our state and wants perfectly, he will know them from us Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” This specificity does not make prayer presumptuous. Henry adds that our desires and purposes must be submitted to the will of God, since journeys and outcomes are prosperous or comfortable only as he pleases (Romans 1:10). The expressions here used intimate that he was very desirous of such an opportunity: if by any means; that he had long and often been disappointed: now at length; and yet that he submitted it to the divine Providence: a prosperous journey by the will of God. As in our purposes, so in our desires, we must still remember to insert this, if the Lord will, James iv. 15. Our journeys are prosperous or otherwise according to the will of God, comfortable or not as he pleases Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” Whatever comfort we desire from any creature, we must seek it from God by prayer, because our times and ways are in his hand. Whatever comfort we desire to find in any creature, we must have recourse to God for it by prayer; for our times are in his hand, and all our ways at his disposal Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments”

Spurgeon agrees that prayer must hold to God's promises, but he also warns that the answer may seem farther away than when you began. When praying for a specific object with an express promise from God, the answer may seem farther away than when you began, but you must not be staggered (Romans 4:19–21). If you have an express promise for it (and mark, that is indispensable), you must not be staggered if the object of your desire seems farther off now than when you first began to pray Charles Spurgeon, sermon “Unstaggering Faith” God may take his own time to answer prayer, but he must and will redeem his promise when the fullness of time has come. wait at the Mercy Seat in the full persuasion that although God may take His time, and that time may not be your time, yet He must and will redeem His promise when the fullness of time has come Charles Spurgeon, sermon “Unstaggering Faith” This is not a contradiction of submission to God's will. Rather, it is submission to the timing and manner of the God who has already spoken in his Word.

The Holy Spirit helps believers in their weakness

One of the most tender themes in this body of teaching is the Spirit's help in prayer. Henry is clear that Christians are weak in prayer because they do not know what to ask for, being poor judges of their own true condition (Romans 8:26). As to the matter of our requests, we know not what to ask. We are not competent judges of our own condition. Who knows what is good for a man in this life Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” Christians also do not know how to pray as they ought, since their graces are weak, their affections cold, and their thoughts wander. As to the manner, we know not how to pray as we ought. It is not enough that we do that which is good, but we must do it well, seek in a due order; and here we are often at a loss—graces are weak, affections cold, thoughts wandering, and it is not always easy to find the heart to pray Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” This is not a reason to abandon prayer. The Holy Spirit helps believers in their praying infirmities by dwelling in them and working in them as a Spirit of grace and supplication. The Spirit in the heart helps, dwelling in us, working in us, as a Spirit of grace and supplication, especially with respect to the infirmities we are under when we are in a suffering state, when our faith is most apt to fail; for this end the Holy Ghost was poured out Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments”

Henry is careful to say that the Spirit's help does not remove human responsibility. Believers must put forth their own effort while the Spirit helps them. Helpeth, synantilambanetai—heaves with us, over against us, helps as we help one that would lift up a burden, by lifting over against him at the other end—helps with us, that is, with us doing our endeavour, putting forth the strength we have. We must not sit still, and expect that the Spirit should do all; when the Spirit goes before us we must bestir ourselves Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” The Spirit intercedes for believers in their hearts by dictating their requests and drawing up their plea, just as Christ intercedes for them in heaven. the Spirit itself makes intercession for us, dictates our requests, indites our petitions, draws up our plea for us. Christ intercedes for us in heaven, the Spirit intercedes for us in our hearts; so graciously has God provided for the encouragement of the praying remnant Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” This intercession is often with groanings that cannot be uttered, meaning prayer may be genuine even when no words are spoken. With groanings that cannot be uttered. The strength and fervency of those desires which the Holy Spirit works are hereby intimated. There may be praying in the Spirit where there is not a word spoken; as Moses prayed (Exod. xiv. 15), and Hannah, 1 Sam. i. 13 Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments”: To a sincere Christian, who makes heart-work of his duty, nothing is more comfortable than that God searches the heart, for then he will hear and answer those desires which we want words to express Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments”

The Spirit's intercession is always according to the will of God, never contradicting the Spirit speaking in the word (Romans 8:27). According to the will of God, v. 27. The Spirit in the heart never contradicts the Spirit in the word. Those desires that are contrary to the will of God do not come from the Spirit. The Spirit interceding in us evermore melts our wills into the will of God Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” God knows the mind of his own Spirit interceding within believers, and he always hears that intercession because it is according to his will. He knows what is the mind of his own Spirit in us. And, as he always hears the Son interceding for us, so he always hears the Spirit interceding in us, because his intercession is according to the will of God Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” The Spirit teaches believers how to ask according to God's will, which is why the prayers of God's people never seek in vain. But how shall we learn to ask according to his will? Why, the Spirit will teach us that. Therefore it is that the seed of Jacob never seek in vain Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” Here Henry and Spurgeon meet. Spurgeon says that without God's aid, even prayer and preaching are powerless and empty (Romans 4:19). If God helps us we can pray, but without His aid our prayer will be mockery! If God helps us we can preach, but apart from Him our preaching is but a weary tale told without power or energy Charles Spurgeon, sermon “Unstaggering Faith” The Spirit's aid is not an optional extra; it is the very life of true prayer.

Prayer pleads the blood and promises of Christ

Spurgeon places great weight on pleading Christ's finished work in prayer. If believers plead the blood of Christ for London, revival must come and God's arm will be revealed (Romans 3:25). And if you and I, and all of us together can plead the precious blood of Christ for London, a revival must come, will come, shall come, and the face of the times shall be changed! God's arm shall be revealed, and, "all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken it Charles Spurgeon, sermon “Christ Set Forth As A Propitiation” This is not a magical formula. It is the confidence that Jesus pleads his wounds and God cannot deny his Word (Romans 4:21). Go again to our knees in prayer feeling that the result is not haphazard! Jesus pleads His wounds and cannot be denied. The Lord cannot draw back from His Word Charles Spurgeon, sermon “Unstaggering Faith” Believers should continue steadfast in prayer and labor with joyous confidence, because Jesus pleads his wounds and God cannot deny his Word. Go again to our knees in prayer feeling that the result is not haphazard! Jesus pleads His wounds and cannot be denied. The Lord cannot draw back from His Word Charles Spurgeon, sermon “Unstaggering Faith”

Henry connects this to Christ's ongoing intercession in heaven. Christ's intercession in heaven means he acts as the believer's advocate to answer accusations and present their pleas effectively (Romans 8:34). The intercession which he makes there. He is there, not unconcerned about us, not forgetful of us, but making intercession. He is agent for us there, an advocate for us, to answer all accusations, to put in our plea, and to prosecute it with effect, to appear for us and to present our petitions Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” Christ is the Mediator of all our prayers and praises to God (Romans 16:27). Of his righteousness therefore we must make mention, even of his only, who, as he is the Mediator of all our prayers, so he is, and I believe will be to eternity, the Mediator of all our praises Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” This means prayer is never offered in our own name or on our own strength. It is offered through the Son, who ever lives to intercede.

Spurgeon also warns against giving up when the object of prayer seems to grow worse. If a person you pray for grows worse instead of better, you should continue praying and hold God to his Word (Romans 4:19–21). If you have prayed for the salvation of your child, or husband, or friend, and that person has grown worse instead of better, do not cease praying Charles Spurgeon, sermon “Unstaggering Faith” Though the work of conversion is impossible with men, believers should not give up because God has promised to answer those who seek him (Romans 4:20). The work is impossible with us, but do we therefore give up the attempt? No, for is it not written, "I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek you My face in vain Charles Spurgeon, sermon “Unstaggering Faith” This is not presumption, because it rests on an express promise from God. Faith lays hold of what God has said and will not let go.

Prayer for others is a duty and a kindness

Henry repeatedly emphasizes intercession for others. Even a flourishing church still needs the prayers of others, and praying for friends is one of the greatest kindnesses we can do them (Romans 1:9). Though a famous flourishing church, yet they had need to be prayed for; they had not yet attained. Paul mentions this as an instance of his love to them. One of the greatest kindnesses we can do our friends, and sometimes the only kindness that is in the power of our hands, is, by prayer to recommend them to the loving-kindness of God Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” Paul's example teaches charity in prayer, since he prayed expressly for believers he did not personally know. 2. Charity in prayer: I make mention of you. Though he had not particular acquaintance with them, nor interest in them, yet he prayed for them; not only for all saints in general, but he made express mention of them. It is not unfit sometimes to be express in our prayers for particular churches and places; not to inform God, but to affect ourselves Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” This love should be wide, not narrow.

Paul sincerely desired and prayed for the salvation of the Jews, even though he preached against them (Romans 10:1). Though Paul preached against them, yet he prayed for them. Herein he was merciful, as God is, who is not willing that any should perish (2 Pet. iii. 9), desires not the death of sinners. It is our duty truly and earnestly to desire the salvation of our own Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” True prayer must arise from a sincere heart's desire and be actually presented to God, not remain mere wishing. This, he says, was his heart's desire and prayer, which intimates, (1.) The strength and sincerity of his desire. It was his heart's desire; it was not a formal compliment, as good wishes are with many from the teeth outward, but a real desire. This it was before it was his prayer. The soul of prayer is the heart's desire. Cold desires do but beg denials; we must even breathe out our souls in every prayer Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” Henry also notes that remembering what we were before conversion and how we obtained mercy should soften our judgment of unbelievers and quicken our prayers for them (Romans 11:30–31). It is good for those that have found mercy with God to be often thinking what they were in time past, and how they obtained that mercy. This would help to soften our censures of those that still continue in unbelief, and quicken our prayers for them Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments”

Prayer for others can even take the form of prayer against hardened opposition. Henry observes that Elijah's prayer was a kind of intercession against Israel, speaking as if the nation was ripe for ruin and worthy to be cast off (Romans 11:2–3). he maketh intercession to God against Israel. A strange kind of intercession: entynchanei to Theo kata tou Israel—He deals with God against Israel; so it may be read Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” It is a sad thing for any person or people to have the prayers of God's people, especially God's prophets, against them, because God will own the cause of his praying people. It is a very sad thing for any person or people to have the prayers of God's people against them, especially of God's prophets, for God espouses, and sooner or later will visibly own, the cause of his praying people Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” This is a sobering note. Prayer is not sentimental; it aligns with God's righteous cause.

Henry also stresses that believers should pray for ministers and their work. Ministers should pray for the success of their preaching, because only God can make the word effective in the heart (Romans 15:5). Faithful ministers water their preaching with their prayers, because, whoever sows the seed, it is God that gives the increase. We can but speak to the ear; it is God's prerogative to speak to the heart Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” Paul asked the Romans to pray that he would be delivered from the unbelieving Jews who opposed him (Romans 15:31). The dangers which he was exposed to: That I may be delivered from those that do not believe in Judea. The unbelieving Jews were the most violent enemies Paul had and most enraged against him, and some prospect he had of trouble from them in this journey; and therefore they must pray that God would deliver him Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” It is right to pray against persecution. We may, and must, pray against persecution Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” Paul also asked prayer that his service of bringing relief to the Jerusalem saints would be accepted by them. His services: Pray that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” God must be sought both to restrain the ill will of enemies and to preserve and increase the good will of friends, because he holds all hearts in his hands. As God must be sought unto for the restraining of the ill will of our enemies, so also for the preserving and increasing of the good will of our friends; for God has the hearts both of the one and of the other in his hands Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments”

Prayer should be earnest, united, and God-centered

Henry calls prayer a striving. Prayer should be earnest and striving, with fixedness, faith, and fervency, as when believers wrestle with God (Romans 15:30). That you strive in prayer. We must put forth all that is within us in that duty; pray with fixedness, faith, and fervency; wrestle with God, as Jacob did; pray in praying, as Elias did (Jam. v. 17), and stir up ourselves to take hold on God (Isa. lxiv. 7 Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” Love for fellow believers should make Christians as earnest in praying for others as their own needs make them for themselves. True love to our brethren should make us as earnest for them as sense of our own need makes us for ourselves Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” Asking others to pray does not excuse a person from praying for himself; believers should strive together in prayer even when separated by distance. When he begged their prayers for him, he did not intend thereby to excuse his praying for himself; no, "Strive together with me, who am wrestling with God daily, upon my own and my friends' account." He would have them to ply the same oar. Paul and these Romans were distant in place, and likely to be so, and yet they might join together in prayer; those who are put far asunder by the disposal of God's providence may yet meet together at the throne of his grace Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments”

This united striving has a God-centered aim. We should have the glory of God in view in every prayer, making it foundational to all our requests (Romans 15:6). We should have the glory of God in our eye in every prayer; therefore our first petition, as the foundation of all the rest, must be, Hallowed be thy name Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” In prayer we must seek first for truth and then for peace, following the order of the wisdom from above which is first pure, then peaceable (Romans 15:5). The method of our prayer must be first for truth, and then for peace; for such is the method of the wisdom that is from above: it is first pure, then peaceable. This is to be like-minded according to Christ Jesus Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” Like-mindedness among Christians is a precious gift of God, for which we must earnestly seek him, since he fashions hearts and gives the Spirit of love. Like-mindedness among Christians, according to Christ Jesus, is the gift of God; and a precious gift it is, for which we must earnestly seek unto him. He is the Father of spirits, and fashions the hearts of men alike (Ps. xxxiii. 15), opens the understanding, softens the heart, sweetens the affections, and gives the grace of love, and the Spirit as a Spirit of love, to those that ask him Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” We should pray that saints on earth may be united in doing God's will as the angels in heaven are united in their praises and services. We are taught to pray that the will of God may be done on earth as it is done in heaven—now there it is done unanimously, among the angels, who are one in their praises and services; and our desire must be that the saints on earth may be so too Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments”

Henry also teaches that in prayer, believers should address God by names and attributes suited to their request, using them to strengthen faith (Romans 15:13). It is good in prayer to fasten upon those names, titles, and attributes of God, which are most suitable to the errand we come upon, and will best serve to encourage our faith concerning it Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” Believers should ask God for all kinds of true joy and peace, enlarging their desires in prayer. Observe, It is all joy and peace—all sorts of true joy and peace. When we come to God by prayer we must enlarge our desires; we are not straitened in him, why should we be straitened in ourselves? Ask for all joy; open thy mouth wide, and he will fill it Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” The Spirit teaches believers to pray to God with holy, humble confidence as children crying to a Father (Romans 8:15). Now, the Spirit teaches us in prayer to come to God as a Father, with a holy humble confidence, emboldening the soul in that duty Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments”

Spurgeon adds a final note of confidence. Believers should pray for, witness to, and live consistently before those who do not believe (Romans 3:3). If some do not believe, let us who do believe, make them the constant subject of our prayers—and then let us tell them what is to be believed—and bear our witness to the saving power of the Gospel Charles Spurgeon, sermon “God Justified, Though Man Believes Not” Prayer is not an escape from witness or holy living. It is the engine that drives them. When the fear of God is cast off, prayer is restrained and all things quickly go to ruin, so no good can be expected where the fear of God is absent (Romans 3:18). Where no fear of God is, no good is to be expected. The fear of God should lay a restraint upon our spirits, and keep them right, Neh. v. 15. When once fear is cast off, prayer is restrained (Job xv. 4), and then all goes to wreck and ruin quickly Matthew Henry, “Exposition of the Old and New Testaments” True prayer, then, is the mark of a living church and a living soul.