Many questions come to our minds when we think on the subject of prayer. Such things as: why is prayer necessary for the Christian? For what may we pray? To whom do we pray? And what is the proper attitude of prayer?

First then, prayer is necessary for the Christian because it is the chief part of thankfulness which God requires of us and also, because God will give His grace and Holy Spirit to those only, who with sincere desires continually ask them of Him and are thankful for them. We may pray for all things necessary for soul and body which Christ our Lord has commanded us and promised us in His Work. We pray from the heart to the one true God only, Who hath manifested Himself in His Word for all Things He hath commanded us to ask of Him. The proper attitude in prayer is that we rightly and thoroughly know our need and misery, so that we may deeply humble ourselves in the presence of His divine majesty. Our purpose to pray should be chiefly to glorify our Father which is in heaven. Not in our works, not in our sacrifices and offerings, but in our speech, in the word of our mouth, particularly in our prayers, it is that God is glorified the most. Prayer is an expression which lives in the believer’s heart by grace. So often we pray for earthly things because we are so carnal. It is necessary, therefore, that we always compare our prayers with the most perfect prayer which the Lord taught us to pray. Let us all strive to pray without ceasing.