Q.98. What is prayer?

A. Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God,[m] for things agreeable to his will,[n] in the name of Christ,[o] with confession of our sins,[p] and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.[q]

[m] Ps. 62:8.

[n] 1 John 5:14.

[o] John 16:23.

[p] Ps. 32:5,6. Dan. 9:4.

[q] Phil. 4:6.

We are here taught,

1. That prayer is the offering up or our desires to God.

2. That prayer must be offered for those things only which are agreeable to the will of God.

3. That prayer must be offered up in the name of Christ.

4. That prayer must be offered up with confession of sin.

5. That prayer must be offered up with thanksgiving.