Question 139

Section 6: Of Prayer

1. a. John 4:22,&c

   John 4:22–54

   ^4:22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. ^4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. ^4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. ^4:25 The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. ^4:26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. ^4:27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? ^4:28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, ^4:29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? ^4:30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him. ^4:31 In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. ^4:32 But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. ^4:33 Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? ^4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. ^4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. ^4:36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. ^4:37 And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. ^4:38 I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours. ^4:39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. ^4:40 So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. ^4:41 And many more believed because of his own word; ^4:42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. ^4:43 Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. ^4:44 For Jesus himself testified, that a prophet hath no honour in his own country. ^4:45 Then when he was come into Galilee, the Galilæans received him, having seen all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also went unto the feast. ^4:46 So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. ^4:47 When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judæa into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death. ^4:48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe. ^4:49 The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. ^4:50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way. ^4:51 And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth. ^4:52 Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him. ^4:53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house. ^4:54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judæa into Galilee.

   ^4:22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. ^4:23 But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. ^4:24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth." ^4:25 The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming. When He comes, He will explain everything to us." ^4:26 Jesus answered, "I who speak to you am He." ^4:27 Just then His disciples returned and were surprised that He was speaking with a woman. But no one asked Him, "What do You want from her?" or "Why are You talking with her?" ^4:28 Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people, ^4:29 "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" ^4:30 So they left the town and made their way toward Jesus. ^4:31 Meanwhile the disciples urged Him, "Rabbi, eat something." ^4:32 But He told them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about." ^4:33 So the disciples asked one another, "Could someone have brought Him food?" ^4:34 Jesus explained, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work. ^4:35 Do you not say, 'There are still four months until the harvest'? I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ripe for harvest. ^4:36 Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together. ^4:37 For in this case the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. ^4:38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the hard work, and now you have taken up their labor." ^4:39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus because of the woman's testimony, "He told me everything I ever did." ^4:40 So when the Samaritans came to Him, they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed two days. ^4:41 And many more believed because of His message. ^4:42 They said to the woman, "We now believe not only because of your words; we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man truly is the Savior of the world." ^4:43 After two days, Jesus left for Galilee. ^4:44 Now He Himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown. ^4:45 Yet when He arrived, the Galileans welcomed Him. They had seen all the great things He had done in Jerusalem at the feast, for they had gone there as well. ^4:46 So once again He came to Cana in Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. And there was a royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. ^4:47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged Him to come down and heal his son, who was about to die. ^4:48 Jesus said to him, "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will never believe." ^4:49 "Sir," the official said, "come down before my child dies." ^4:50 "Go," said Jesus. "Your son will live." The man took Jesus at His word and departed. ^4:51 And while he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was alive. ^4:52 So he inquired as to the hour when his son had recovered, and they told him, "The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour." ^4:53 Then the father realized that this was the very hour in which Jesus had told him, "Your son will live." And he and all his household believed. ^4:54 This was now the second sign that Jesus performed after coming from Judea into Galilee.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

2. b. Romans 8:26; 1 John 5:14

   Romans 8:26

   ^8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

   ^8:26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.

   1 John 5:14

   ^5:14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

   ^5:14 And this is the confidence that we have before Him: If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

3. c. John 4:23–24; Psalm 145:18

   John 4:23–24

   ^4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. ^4:24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

   ^4:23 But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. ^4:24 God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth."

   Psalm 145:18

   ^145:18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.

   ^145:18 The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call out to Him in truth.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

4. d. Psalm 2:11; Psalm 34:19; Isaiah 66:2

   Psalm 2:11

   ^2:11 Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

   ^2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

   Psalm 34:19

   ^34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

   ^34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

   Isaiah 66:2

   ^66:2 For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

   ^66:2 Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being," declares the LORD. "This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

5. e. Romans 10:14; Romans 8:15–16; James 1:6,&c

   Romans 10:14

   ^10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

   ^10:14 How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?

   Romans 8:15–16

   ^8:15 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. ^8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

   ^8:15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" ^8:16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.

   James 1:6–27

   ^1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. ^1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. ^1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. ^1:9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: ^1:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away. ^1:11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways. ^1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. ^1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: ^1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. ^1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ^1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren. ^1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. ^1:18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. ^1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: ^1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. ^1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. ^1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. ^1:23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: ^1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. ^1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. ^1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. ^1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

   ^1:6 But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ^1:7 That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ^1:8 He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. ^1:9 The brother in humble circumstances should exult in his high position. ^1:10 But the one who is rich should exult in his low position, because he will pass away like a flower of the field. ^1:11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its flower falls and its beauty is lost. So too, the rich man will fade away in the midst of his pursuits. ^1:12 Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him. ^1:13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. ^1:14 But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. ^1:15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. ^1:16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. ^1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow. ^1:18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation. ^1:19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, ^1:20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires. ^1:21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls. ^1:22 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. ^1:23 For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, ^1:24 and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ^1:25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom, and continues to do so-not being a forgetful hearer, but an effective doer-he will be blessed in what he does. ^1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. ^1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

   King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

6. f. John 14:13; John 15:16; John 16:23; Daniel 9:17–19; Psalm 7:7–8; Psalm 143:1

   John 14:13

   ^14:13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

   ^14:13 And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

   John 15:16

   ^15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

   ^15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit that will remain-so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

   John 16:23

   ^16:23 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.

   ^16:23 In that day you will no longer ask Me anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.

   Daniel 9:17–19

   ^9:17 Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. ^9:18 O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. ^9:19 O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

   ^9:17 So now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of Your servant. For Your sake, O Lord, cause Your face to shine upon Your desolate sanctuary. ^9:18 Incline Your ear, O my God, and hear; open Your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears Your name. For we are not presenting our petitions before You because of our righteous acts, but because of Your great compassion. ^9:19 O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For Your sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people bear Your name."

   Psalm 7:7–8

   ^7:7 So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their sakes therefore return thou on high. ^7:8 The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

   ^7:7 Let the assembled peoples gather around You; take Your seat over them on high. ^7:8 The LORD judges the peoples; vindicate me, O LORD, according to my righteousness and integrity.

   Psalm 143:1

   ^143:1 Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.

   ^143:1 A Psalm of David. O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me.

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