Question 117

What are the requisites of that prayer, which is acceptable to God, and which he will hear?

First, that we from the heart pray³⁴⁵³⁴⁵    John 4:24; Ps. 145:18. to the one true God only, who has manifested himself in his word,³⁴⁶³⁴⁶    Rev. 19:10; John 4:22–24. for all things, he has commanded us to ask of him;³⁴⁷³⁴⁷    Rom. 8:26; 1 John 5:14; James 1:5 . secondly, that we rightly and thoroughly know our need and misery,³⁴⁸³⁴⁸    2 Chron. 20:12. that so we may deeply humble ourselves in the presence of his divine majesty;³⁴⁹³⁴⁹    Ps. 2:11; Ps. 34:19; Isa. 66:2 . thirdly, that we be fully persuaded that he, notwithstanding that we are unworthy of it, will, for the sake of Christ our Lord, certainly hear our prayer,³⁵⁰³⁵⁰    Rom. 10:14; James 1:6. as he has promised us in his word.³⁵¹³⁵¹    John 14:13, 14; John 16:23; Dan. 9:17, 18.