asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Matth. vii, 7, 8.
Q. 26. — Hath God also promised such poor and wretched ones that he could be found?
A. — Look upon Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else. Isaiah xlv, 22. Also Jerem. xxix, 11, 12, 13.
Q. 27. — Because the references given emphatically testify that God has promised a hearing to those repentant sinners who turn to Him with prayers, the question arises, what is the first thing they should ask for?
A. — Hide Thy face from my sins and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free Spirit. Psalm li, 9-12.
Q. 28. — To whom shall we pray?
A. — Then saith Jesus unto him, get thee hence, Satan; for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. Matth. iv, 10.
Q. 29. — In whose name shall we pray to the heavenly Father?
A. — Verily, verily, I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name. Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy be fulfilled. John xvi, 23, 24.
Q. 30. — How shall our prayer proceed?
A. — Therefore, I say unto you, what things soever you desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and yet shall have them. Mark xi, 24; James i, 3, 6.
Q. 31. — How shall our prayer be shaped further, that we may be heard?
A. — This is the confidence we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us. I John v, 14.
Q. 32. — Now if the spirit be willing, but the power to believe too weak, who helps to strengthen this power in prayer?
