Vol 61 Issue 05

Studies on the Old Testament, by Frederic L. Godet; Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 351 pp., (cloth) $10.95 (Reviewed by Prof. R.D. Decker). Studies on the New Testament, by Frederic L. Godet; Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 406 pp., (cloth) $10.95 (Reviewed by Prof. R.D. Decker).

If we, with David, can pray each day, “As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice,” (Psalm 55:16, 17) then we as covenant parents will know and understand the importance of the most intimate relationship with our Father in heaven, both for us and for our children. One of the most important tasks in our lives as covenant parents is to teach our children to pray.

Even as it is true that all that glitters is not gold, so is it true that some of the prayers that seem to us to be those that God will surely hear are instead an abomination to Him. What is more, prayers that to us seem to be directed to God are often instead prayers wherein a man approaches a god of his own fabrication, a god the way he wants God to be.

There are a number of occasions in which we may be called upon to pray in public. By praying in public we mean praying audibly before a group of people. We may be called to do this at the conclusion of a Bible Society meeting or while visiting with friends at meal time. We may be asked to pray at a congregational meeting or a school society meeting. There are certain positions in the church and kingdom that require that we pray regularly before others.

There are not a few questions concerning this subject among God’s people. There are many differences of opinion concerning this subject as well. For what may we pray for the sick? What ought to be the contents of prayers offered on behalf of those who are ill? May we pray for healing? The question concerning prayers for the healing of the sick provokes the most discussion and even controversy. Some, many in fact, believe we must pray for the physical restoration of the sick. Many teach that if we pray “in faith” God will heal the sick in answer to...

How important is prayer in your life?

Our subject is a weighty one and it is of extreme importance to come to grips with the Biblical implications of it. The matter here under consideration is prayer, which is the chief part of Christian gratitude when exercised by believers in the midst of this present world. Angels too worship the Lord God before the great white throne day and night; they ever behold the face of our Father in heaven, but their prayers are in a sense qualitatively different from the prayers of the redeemed saints.

“Prayer Changes Things.”

Briefly and simply the Heidelberg Catechism, Lord’s Day 45, states that prayer “is the chief part of thankfulness.” This is the answer to the question concerning the necessity of prayer. If the answer is correct, as we firmly believe it is, then there is no doubt but that prayer has an essential place in the life of every Christian.

*Translated by Rev. C. Hanko. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6