After spending most of the past year on questions about salvation, we move to a new section of Tom Nettles’ children’s catechism, the section containing questions about prayer. (We’ll be done with all the questions in the catechism before the end of this year.)

Questions about Prayer

107. Q. What is prayer?
          A. Prayer is talking with God.

(Click through to read scriptural proof.)

• Genesis 17:22

  When he had finished talking with him, God went up from Abraham.

• Genesis 18:33

  And the LORD went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.

• Nehemiah 1:4-11

  As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. [5] And I said, “O LORD God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, [6] let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father’s house have sinned. [7] We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses. [8] Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples, [9] but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there I will gather them and bring them to the place that I have chosen, to make my name dwell there.’ [10] They are your servants and your people, whom you have redeemed by your great power and by your strong hand. [11] O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”

  Now I was cupbearer to the king.
• Nehemiah 2:4

  Then the king said to me, “What are you requesting?” So I prayed to the God of heaven.

• Matthew 6:6

  But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

• Romans 8:26-27

  Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. [27] And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Scripture quoted from the English Standard Version.