In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.
— Psalm 77:2
O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
— Psalm 34:3-4
Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
— Psalm 50:23
I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence, And give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.
— Isaiah 62:6-7
A Treatise on Prayer, by John Knox. The following contains an excerpt from his work.
A DECLARATION WHAT TRUE PRAYER IS, HOW WE SHOULD PRAY,
AND FOR WHAT WE SHOULD PRAY. SET FORTH BY JOHN KNOX, PREACHER OF GOD’S HOLY WORD
A confession and declaration of prayers added thereto, by John Knox, minister of Christ’s most sacred Gospel, upon the death of that most virtuous and most famous king, Edward the VI, king of England, France, and Ireland. In this confession, the said John accuses not only his own offenses but also the offenses of others as the cause of the untimely death of that most godly prince, who now reigns with Christ while we endure plagues for our unthankfulness.
Imprinted in Rome, before the Castle of St. Angel, at the sign of Saint Peter, in the month of July, in the year of our Lord 1554. UNTO THE SMALL AND DISPERSED FLOCK OF JESUS CHRIST.
How necessary is the right invocation of God’s name (otherwise called perfect prayer) for no Christian to mistake; seeing it is the very branch that springs forth from true faith, and if anyone lacks it, despite having other virtues, in the presence of God, he is not regarded as a Christian at all. Therefore, it is a clear sign that those who are negligent in prayer do not understand the essence of perfect faith. For if fire lacks heat or a burning lamp lacks light, then true faith can lack fervent prayer. But because, in the past (and unfortunately, with a significant number even today), what was considered prayer in the sight of God was and is far from it, I intend to touch on its aspects briefly.
WHAT PRAYER IS.—Anyone who wishes to pray must know and understand that prayer is earnest and familiar communication with God. It is where we express our troubles, seek His support and assistance in our adversities, and praise and laud His magnificent name for the benefits we receive. Thus, prayer includes the declaration of our sorrows, the request for God’s protection, and the exaltation of His glorious name, as clearly taught in the Psalms of David.
WHAT IS TO BE OBSERVED IN PRAYER.—The utmost reverence should accompany this act, as it should make us reflect on whose presence we are in, to whom we are speaking, and what we are desiring. We stand in the presence of the Almighty Creator of heaven and earth and all its contents. Thousands upon thousands of angels serve and obey His eternal Majesty. We speak to Him who knows the secrets of our hearts, before whom dissimulation and lies are always abhorrent, and we ask for that which may bring the most glory to Him and comfort to our conscience. Therefore, we must diligently ensure that anything offensive in His divine presence is removed to the best of our ability. First and foremost, worldly concerns and earthly thoughts that distract us from contemplating God must be banished, allowing us to call upon God without interruption. However, it is challenging to achieve this one thing in prayer, and no one knows this better than those who, in their prayers, strive for purity approved by God. They do not seek what foolish human reasoning desires but what may be pleasing and acceptable in God’s presence. Our adversary, Satan, is always circling around us, and he is never more active than when we are about to pray. He secretly and subtly infiltrates our hearts, diverting us from God and causing us to forget our purpose. Thus, when we should speak to God with all reverence, we often find our hearts engaged with the vanities of the world or the foolish imaginings of our own thoughts.
HOW THE SPIRIT MAKES INTERCESSION FOR US.—So, without the Spirit of God supporting our infirmities (powerfully making intercession for us with unceasing groans that cannot be expressed with words, Rom. 8.26), there is no hope that anything we desire according to God’s will can be fulfilled. I do not mean that the Holy Spirit mourns or prays, but that He stirs up our minds, giving us a desire or boldness to pray and causes us to mourn when we are drawn away from it. It is impossible for mere human strength to grasp these concepts, but it is clear that those who do not understand what they pray for, do not explain or declare the desires of their hearts clearly in God’s presence, and do not expel vain thoughts from their minds during prayer, achieve nothing in prayer.
WHY WE SHOULD PRAY AND ALSO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE PRAYING FOR.—But some may object and say, “Even if we do not understand what we pray for, God understands, as He knows the secrets of our hearts. He also knows what we need even if we do not explain or declare our necessities to Him.” Such people indeed reveal that they do not comprehend the meaning of perfect prayer or why Jesus Christ commands us to pray. First, our prayers are meant to continually ignite our fear, honour, and love for God, to whom we turn for support and help whenever danger or necessity arises. By learning to express our desires in His presence, He may teach us what is worth desiring and what is not. Secondly, we acknowledge that our petitions are granted by God alone, and therefore, we must offer Him praise and gratitude. With His infinite goodness firmly rooted in our minds, we can steadfastly await the fulfillment of our fervent prayers.
WHY GOD DELAYS GRANTING OUR PRAYERS.—Sometimes, God delays answering our prayers to test and strengthen our faith, not because He sleeps or is absent from us, but so that we may receive with greater joy that which we have patiently awaited. This assures us of His eternal providence, to the extent that our weak and corrupt nature allows, and we can trust that His merciful hand will assist us in times of urgent need and extreme tribulation. Therefore, those who teach that it is not necessary to understand what we pray because God knows our needs would also imply that we should not honour God or give Him thanks for the blessings we receive. For how can we honour and praise Him when we do not know His goodness and generosity? And how can we know unless we receive and gain experience? And how can we know that we have received unless we truly understand what we have asked for?
The second thing to be observed in perfect prayer is that, when in the presence of God, we must show reverence for His holy law, sincerely repent for our past sins, and intend to lead a new life. Otherwise, all our prayers are in vain, as it is written, “Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination.” Proverbs 28.9. Similarly, Isaiah and Jeremiah say, “When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood,” referring to cruelty and wicked deeds. Isaiah 1.15. Furthermore, the Spirit of God, through the mouth of the blind man whom Jesus Christ healed, declared, “We know that God does not hear sinners” (meaning those who persist in sin); therefore, true repentance is necessary and must precede perfect prayer or sincere invocation of God’s name.
WHEN SINNERS ARE NOT HEARD BY GOD.—To these two examples, we must add a third, which involves our humble self- abasement in the presence of God. We must completely reject and cast away our own righteousness, along with all thoughts and opinions about it. Let us not believe that we will be heard because of anything that comes from ourselves, for anyone who elevates, boasts, or relies on their own righteousness in the presence of God’s mercy is akin to the proud Pharisee and repels His mercy. Therefore, we find the holiest of men in prayer to be the most humble and lowly. David says, Psalm 79.9, “O Lord, our Saviour, help us, be merciful to our sins for your own sake. Do not remember our past iniquities. But, O Lord, hurry and let your mercy come before us.” Jeremiah 14.7 says, “If our iniquities bear witness against us, act according to your own name.” And consider Isaiah chapter 64, “You are angry, O Lord, because we have sinned and are filled with wickedness; our righteousness is like a soiled cloth. But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, you are the potter, and we are the work of your hands. Do not be angry, O Lord, do not remember our iniquities forever.” Daniel, greatly commended by God, offers a humble confession in his prayer with these words, “We are sinners and have offended; we have acted ungodly and deviated from your commandment. Therefore, we do not present our prayers before you based on our own righteousness, but we rely on your right and great mercies. O Lord, hear! O Lord, be merciful and spare us! O Lord, listen, help, and do not delay; my God, do it for the sake of your own name; for your city and your people are called by your name.” In these prayers, there is no mention of their own righteousness, their own satisfaction, or their own merits. Instead, they offer a profoundly humble confession that springs from a sorrowful and penitent heart. They have nothing on which to depend except the free mercy of God alone, who promised to be their God, meaning their helper, comforter, defender, and deliverer. This is the same promise He has made to us through Jesus Christ in times of tribulation. They do not despair; rather, after acknowledging their sins, they call for mercy and obtain it. Therefore, it is evident that those who, in their prayers, regard any virtue as proceeding from themselves and think that their prayers are accepted because of it, do not pray correctly.
WHAT FASTING AND ALMS DEEDS MEAN IN PRAYER—Although fasting, vigilance, and acts of charity are joined with fervent prayer, none of them are the reason God accepts our prayers. Instead, they are incentives that prevent us from wavering and make us more capable of persevering in prayer, which is what the mercy of God accepts. It may be objected that David prays, “Preserve my life, O Lord, for I am holy; O Lord, save my soul, for I am innocent; and let me not be consumed.” Psalms 33, 86. Similarly, Hezekiah says, “Remember, Lord, I beg you, that I have walked righteously before you, and that I have done what is good in your sight.” 2 Kings 20. These words are not spoken by men who boast or trust in their own works. Instead, they testify to being the children of God through regeneration, to whom He promises always to show mercy and to hear their prayers at all times.
THE CAUSE OF THEIR BOLDNESS WAS JESUS CHRIST.—So, their words originated from a familiar, steadfast, and fervent faith, truly believing that God, in His infinite mercy, had called them to His knowledge, not allowing them to continue in their own natural wickedness but partly teaching them to conform to His holy law for the sake of the promised Seed. They believed that God would not abandon them in such great and extreme need, providing them with comfort, consolation, and defense. They did not use their righteousness to boast or trust in but to strengthen and confirm their faith in God’s promises. I wish all Christians to have this comfort in their prayers—a testimony of a good conscience to assure them of God’s promises. However, they should depend solely on Him to obtain what they ask, setting aside any opinions or thoughts of their own righteousness. Additionally, in the preceding verses, David compares himself with King Saul and the rest of his enemies who wrongfully persecuted him. He implores God not to let them prevail against him, essentially saying, “They persecute me unjustly, so defend me according to my innocence.” Nevertheless, he openly acknowledges his grievous offenses against God in previous passages.
HYPOCRISY IS NOT ALLOWED WITH GOD.—Thirdly, it should be observed in prayer that what we ask of God, we must earnestly desire, acknowledging our neediness and emptiness. We should recognize that only God can grant the desires of our hearts according to His will and pleasure. Nothing is more detestable to God than hypocrisy and deceit, where people ask God for things they do not truly need or believe they can obtain through means other than God alone. For example, if someone asks God for forgiveness of sins but still thinks they can obtain it through their own works or the merits of others, they are deceiving themselves and mocking God. Many people, especially the powerful and wealthy, fall into this trap, as they might recite the part of the Lord’s Prayer that says, “Give us this day our daily bread,” referring to moderate and reasonable sustenance, even though their hearts testify that they do not need to pray for it, as they enjoy all worldly comforts and prosperity. I do not mean that rich individuals should not pray this part of the prayer, but I wish they understood what they should pray for in it (which I will discuss later), and that they do not request anything they do not genuinely feel themselves in great need of. Unless we genuinely call upon God, He will not grant our requests, and unless we speak with our whole hearts, we will not find Him.
The Fourth Rule necessary to follow in prayer is to have a firm hope of obtaining what we ask for. Nothing offends God more than when we pray with doubt about whether He will grant our petitions, as this implies doubt about God’s truthfulness, might, and goodness. James says that such individuals will not receive anything from God. Therefore, Jesus Christ commands us to firmly believe that we will receive whatever we ask for, as all things are possible to those who believe. In our prayers, we should always eliminate all feelings of despair. I do not mean that anyone in the midst of great trouble can be without immediate sorrow and fear of further trouble to come.
TROUBLES ARE THE SPURS TO STIR US TO PRAY.—Difficulty and fear serve as strong incentives for prayer. When a person, surrounded by intense calamities and plagued by constant worry, finds no hope of deliverance with the assistance of others, their heart heavily burdened and fearful of greater punishment, they call upon God for comfort and support from the depths of their tribulation. Such prayers ascend to God’s presence and do not return in vain.
GOD DELIVERS HIS OWN FROM THEIR TROUBLE AND ENEMIES.—Just as David, during the intense persecution by Saul, was relentlessly pursued and driven from every refuge, fearing that he would eventually fall into the hands of his persecutors. After lamenting that he had no place of rest remaining, he fervently prayed, saying, “O Lord, my God, in whom I trust alone, save me from those who persecute me, and deliver me from my enemies. Let not this man (referring to Saul) devour my life like a lion devours its prey. For I seek comfort only from you.”
Amidst these distresses, God’s goodness sustained him, making the present tribulation bearable, and the unerring promises of God assured him of deliverance to such an extent that fear was partially mitigated and diminished, as is evident to those who carefully observe the progress of his prayers. After his enemies had made numerous threats and menaces against him, he concluded with these words, “The pain he intended for me shall fall upon his own head, and the violence with which he would have oppressed me shall bring down his own head. But I will magnify the Lord according to His justice and praise the name of the Most High.” This account is not recorded solely for David but for all who will experience tribulation until the end of the world. As the writer of this passage, I can boldly attest (to the praise and glory of God alone) that, in the anguish of my mind and severe tribulation and affliction, I called upon the Lord when not only the ungodly but even my faithful brethren, and even my own understanding, deemed my situation beyond remedy. Yet, during my greatest calamity and when my suffering was most severe, God’s eternal wisdom directed my hands to write something contrary to the judgment of human reasoning, which His mercy has proven to be true. Blessed be His holy name! Therefore, I dare to confidently declare, based on the truth of God’s Word, that despite the intensity and prolonged duration of trouble, the despair of all men, the fear, danger, pain, and anguish in our hearts, if we persistently call upon God, He will deliver us beyond everyone’s expectations.
WHERE CONSTANT PRAYER IS, THERE THE PETITION IS GRANTED.—Let no one consider themselves unworthy to call and pray to God because they have greatly offended His Majesty in the past. Instead, let them approach God with a sorrowful and repentant heart, echoing the words of David, “Heal my soul, O Lord, for I have sinned against thee. Before I was afflicted, I transgressed, but now let me observe thy commandments.” To alleviate the sorrows of our wounded conscience, our wise Physician provides two remedies to encourage us to pray, even when we are aware of our transgressions: a command and a promise. The command to pray is universal and frequently emphasized in God’s Scriptures: “Ask, and it shall be given unto you.” Matthew 7. “Call upon me in the day of trouble.” Psalm 50. “Watch and pray that ye fall not into temptation.” Matthew 26. “I command that ye pray ever without ceasing.” “Make unceasing supplications and give thanks in all things.” 1 Thessalonians 5. Those who scorn or disregard these commandments are no less guilty than those who steal, for just as “thou shalt not steal” is a negative commandment, “thou shall pray” is an affirmative commandment. God requires equal obedience to all His commandments. Moreover, I would boldly assert that he who, in times of necessity, does not seek the support and help of God provokes His wrath no less than those who worship false gods or openly deny Him. HE THAT PRAYETH NOT IN TROUBLE, DENIETH GOD.—To refrain from calling upon God during your tribulations is akin to not knowing God at all or outright denying Him. It is like knowing a physician and medicine but choosing not to use or receive them.
NOT TO PRAY, IS A SIN MOST ODIOUS.—So why do we cease to call upon His mercy when He has commanded us to do so? Above all our sins, we demonstrate clear contempt and disdain for Him when, out of negligence, we delay seeking His gracious support. Those who call upon God obey His will and find no small comfort in knowing that nothing pleases His Majesty more than humble obedience. Jeremiah 2:4-8.
In addition to this commandment, He offers His most undeniable promise in many places: “Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find.” Matthew 7. Through the prophet Jeremiah chapter 29, God declares, “Ye shall call upon me, and I shall hear you. Ye shall seek and shall find me.” Likewise, in Isaiah, He says, “Can a father forget his natural son, or a mother the child of her womb? Even if they do, yet I will not forget those who call upon me.” These words align with the words of Jesus Christ Luke 11, who said, “If you, being wicked, can give good gifts to your children, how much more will my heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.” Moses, in his reprimand, warns us not to think that God is absent or does not hear us: “There is no nation that has their gods so near to them as our God, who is present at all our prayers.” Deuteronomy 4. The Psalmist also proclaims, “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him in truth.” And Christ declares, “Wherever two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
READINESS OF GOD TO HEAR SINNERS.—To dispel any notion that God will not hear us, Isaiah assures us, “Before you cry, I shall hear, and while they speak, I shall answer.” He also adds, “If sorrow or calamity comes in the evening, by morning I shall bring back gladness.” These comforting words are not directed solely at carnal Israel but to all who are heavily oppressed and await God’s deliverance: “For a moment and a little while, I turned my face from you, but in everlasting mercy, I shall comfort you.” Isaiah 54.
THE HOPE TO OBTAIN OUR PETITIONS SHOULD DEPEND UPON THE PROMISES OF GOD.—Oh, how hardened are the hearts of those whom such numerous, exceedingly sweet, and reliable promises do not soften! Our hope to obtain our petitions should be based on these promises. We should not concern ourselves with our own indignity or unworthiness, for even though we may be far inferior to those chosen ones who have lived in holiness and purity, in this regard, we are equal. We have the same command to pray and the same promise of being heard. His Gracious Majesty does not consider the prayer or grant the petition because of the dignity of the person praying but solely for the sake of His promise. That’s why David said, “You have promised to your servant, O Lord, that you will build a house for him, therefore your servant has the intention to pray in your sight. Now, Lord, you are God, and your words are true. You have spoken these things to your servant, so begin to do according to your promise. Multiply, O Lord, the household of your servant.” Behold, David entirely relies on God’s promise. Jacob Genesis 32 also did the same; after confessing himself unworthy of all the benefits received, he dared to ask for even greater blessings in the future, all because God had promised. Likewise, let us be encouraged to ask for whatever God’s goodness has freely promised.
https://takeupcross.com
takeupcross
Take Up the Cross 