We read in the Heidelberg Catechism that the chief part of the Christian life is prayer. It is the Christian's duty to pray. Luther mentions that just as a cobbler mends shoes, so before all things, a Christian should pray. It is his primary trade and his profession in life. It is a profound fact that God hears prayer. A Christian has a Father in heaven who cares for His children and listens to their requests. There are three reasons why God hears prayer.

God Promises to Hear Prayer⤒🔗

In the first place, God hears prayers because He promises this. This is revealed to us many times in God's Word, for instance in Matthew 7:7,8: ''Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." See also John 15:16: "Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you", and John 16:24: "Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full."

Prayer Must be in His Name←⤒🔗

In the second place, God only hears prayers that are sent up in His Name. "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it" (John 14:13, 14).

The Lord Jesus tells us to pray in His Name. You cannot pray in your own name for there is nothing in us why God would hear our prayer. We have sinned and are abominable in His sight. There is no right­eousness or worthiness in us. My own name, deeds, or intentions can never be a ground for God to hear me. God can only hear me in and through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, because He laid down His life for sinners. He earned every blessing. He earned the right for sinners to ask whatever is pleasing in His sight. It is by pleading upon His merits and His worthiness that I may ask whatever I need. Praying in His Name also means to pray according to God's will and in agreement with His commandments. The aim of our prayer should be for God's glory and the salvation of sinners.

Such prayers God will hear. John 14:13 "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do." The Lord is saying that we may be sure of this. Not only shall it be done, but the Lord Himself will also see to it that it is done — "that will I do." The Lord Jesus does not only have the privilege of being an Intercessor, but He also has the power of a sovereign Prince who sits at the right hand of God and rules all things. By faith in His Name we may have what we will, just for the asking. He loves His people so dearly that He gives them special privileges that others do not have. They may ask in His name and they will receive.

God is Glorified in Prayer←⤒🔗

In the third place, God hears prayer because God is glorified by answering prayer. The Lord Jesus says in John 14:13: "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son." When God answers prayer, His people will realize that it is the Lord's hand that delivers them. His goodness and benevolence are displayed in such answered prayer and His people rejoice in God for the great goodness of His loving kindness. When you see that God has granted your request, you will break out in adoration and thanksgiving. Your heart will resound with praise to God. God's Word is full of the rejoicing of the godly. I was lost and He saved me.

Is the Bible not a book of wonders? Throughout history we see a long row of poor, weak and afflicted people, all saved from Satan's tyranny and every one of them delivered according to their needs. They are like a little boat in the ocean or like a firebrand in the fire. They were in need but the Lord delivered them.

The end result is that they glorify His Name. There are many such examples in the Psalms. One example is found in Psalm 116: "I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live."

Praying Freely←⤒🔗

The Lord invites us to freely come to Him in prayer. He has so much love and care for His people that He invites them to freely lay all their needs before Him. This is the rich privilege of a child of God.

The Lord God owns all things. He is Lord over all and has all power in heaven and on earth. There is nothing that is either too small or too great for the Lord. For Him there are no small requests or large requests. They are all the same to Him.

Of course, we are not to summarily ask for just any­thing we would like to have. It must be something that is in agreement with His revealed will. The Lord has promised to supply the needs of our daily life. If He feeds the birds and the animals, will He not feed you?

You may ask the Lord for all the things you need for your daily life and work. You may ask for wisdom, insight, and for a mouth to speak. You may ask the Lord for grace to raise your children, for health, for strength, and for grace according to your needs.

Freely asking in prayer relates to all that is needed for our spiritual well being. It may be that you are called to give spiritual guidance as an office bearer, parent, teacher, or even as a trusted friend. You may ask the Lord for wisdom and strength. Above all, you may freely ask Him all things pertaining to your salvation. You need grace, and the unction and guidance of His Spirit. You need His personal instruction for your soul. You need to know and love Him and to be led closer to Him. You may ask for all the things He has opened for you in His Word, and He will give them.

Why is it that so many true Christians have so little faith, such weak love, such little zeal, and such lack of comfort? Why is it that so many Christians go through life stumbling and mourning and enjoy so little peace and strength in Christ's service? The answer is simple: they have not, because they ask not. They have little because they ask little. Our weak desires are the reason for our weak performance. We are not limited in the Lord, but only in ourselves. Happy are they who never forget the word from Psalm 81: "Open thy mouth wide and I will fill it." Great men of God have been great men of prayer. Let us pray and let us persevere in prayer.

The Lord Answers Prayer←⤒🔗

The stream of benefits, blessings, effects and deliverances continually flows from God the Father through the Son along the pipeline of prayer. Every blessing is given us through Christ. The majesty of God may be hidden, yet it is revealed in Christ. According to Calvin, the hand of God is concealed, yet it is visible in Christ. In Christ you see the benevolence of the Father.

The Lord will give all that is good and beneficial and He will give everything that is to His honour and in agreement with His will. Does that mean God gives everything you ask for? That is not what the Lord Jesus says. He does not say: ask whatever you want and I will do it. It is ask whatever you will in My Name and I will do it.

There are several examples of prayers in Scripture where God did not give what was requested. Moses desired to enter the promised land; David pleaded for the child he and Bathsheba conceived in adultery; and Paul prayed three times to the Lord to remove the thorn from his flesh, but the thorn remained. Does God not give everything that His people ask for?

He will give that which is best for them. Moses was taken up into heaven; David was humbled and would never forget his sin but shy away from it the remainder of his life; Paul was kept fully dependent upon God's grace. All things must work together for the good of God's people.

Prayer Makes a Difference←⤒🔗

God hears prayer — that is the clear teaching of Scripture. The profound secret is that prayers have an impact. It is not as if prayer makes no sense and God will do whatever He has decided anyway and it makes no difference whether you pray or not. That is what Islam teaches. The Muslim says: Allah has determined everything and so it makes no sense to pray for anything. The Muslim prays because he is commanded to pray, but does not expect to receive anything

That is not what Scripture teaches. Dorcas would not have been raised up if Peter had not prayed. Paul requested prayer to receive grace to preach. The dead were raised by prayer, prisoners were released by prayer, and temptations were removed by prayer. Sinners are saved by prayer and revivals came down from heaven by prayer.

It makes total sense to pray. We must always pray. Heavenly blessing are unleashed by prayer. If only we would have a believing spirit to understand the riches that God has laid in store for those who trust in Him! God is willing to give so much, but we do not believe Him. That is a great evil.

We confess the sovereignty of God, but also the fact that God's children make a difference by their prayers. That is because they pray to a living God who is loving and faithful. He loves His people and their prayers through His Son so much that He incorporates their prayers into His sovereign plan of redemption. Therefore He says: "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (John 15:7).