Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Revelation 8:1-5.

 

“When the Lamb broke the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.  And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.

                                          

Another angel came and stood at the altar, holding a golden censer;  and much incense was given to him, so that he might add it to the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne.  And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.  Then the angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar, and threw it to the earth;  and there followed peals of thunder and sounds and flashes of lightning and an earthquake.”  Revelation 8:1-5. 

                                  

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Today’s Scripture shows that the prayers of the saints were deemed worthy to be mixed with incense and to be presented before God.  Today’s Scripture encourages us thereby to pray.

                                                                          

We have seen many times that Israel was commanded to make “an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the Lord”.  Here is a link to these Scriptures – Click here: BibleGateway.com – Keyword Search: soothing

Question 116.  Why is prayer necessary for christians?

Answer.  Because it is the chief part of thankfulness which God requires of us:  and also, because God will give his grace and Holy Spirit to those only, who with sincere desires continually ask them of him, and are thankful for them.

Question 117.  What are the requisites of that prayer, which is acceptable to God, and which he will hear?

Answer.  First, that we from the heart pray to the one true God only, who hath manifested himself in his word, for all things, he hath commanded us to ask of him;  secondly, that we rightly and thoroughly know our need and misery, that so we may deeply humble ourselves in the presence of his divine majesty;  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, as he has promised us in his word.

Question 118.  What hath God commanded us to ask of him?

Answer.  All things necessary for soul and body;  which Christ our Lord has comprised in that prayer he himself has taught us.

Question 119.  What are the words of that prayer?

Answer.  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.

Question 120.  Why hath Christ commanded us to address God thus:  “Our Father”?

Answer.  That immediately, in the very beginning of our prayer, he might excite in us a childlike reverence for, and confidence in God, which are the foundation of our prayer: namely, that God is become our Father in Christ, and will much less deny us what we ask of him in true faith, than our parents will refuse us earthly things.

Question 121.  Why is it here added, “Which art in heaven”?

Answer.  Lest we should form any earthly conceptions of God’s heavenly majesty, and that we may expect from his almighty power all things necessary for soul and body.

Question 122.  Which is the first petition?

Answer.  “Hallowed be thy name”;  that is, grant us, first, rightly to know thee, and to sanctify, glorify and praise thee, in all thy works, in which thy power, wisdom, goodness, justice, mercy and truth, are clearly displayed;  and further also, that we may so order and direct our whole lives, our thoughts, words and actions, that thy name may never be blasphemed, but rather honored and praised on our account.

Question 123.  Which is the second petition?

Answer.  “Thy kingdom come”;  that is, rule us so by thy word and Spirit, that we may submit ourselves more and more to thee;  preserve and increase thy church;  destroy the works of the devil, and all violence which would exalt itself against thee;  and also, all wicked counsels devised against thy holy word;  till the full perfection of thy kingdom take place, wherein thou shalt be all in all.

Question 124.  Which is the third petition?

Answer.  “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”;  that is, grant that we and all men may renounce our own will, and without murmuring obey thy will, which is only good;  that so every one may attend to, and  perform the duties of his station and calling, as willingly and faithfully as the angels do in heaven.

Question 125.  Which is the fourth petition?

Answer.  “Give us this day our daily bread”;  that is, be pleased to provide us with all things necessary for the body, that we may thereby acknowledge thee to be the only fountain of all good, and that neither our care nor industry, nor even thy gifts, can profit us without thy blessing;  and therefore that we may withdraw our trust from all creatures, and place it alone in thee.

Question 126.  What is the fifth petition?

Answer.  “And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”; that is, be pleased for the sake of Christ’s blood, not to impute to us poor sinners, our transgressions, nor that depravity, which always cleaves to us; even as we feel this evidence of thy grace in us, that it is our firm resolution from the heart to forgive our neighbor.

Question 127.  Which is the sixth petition?

Answer.  “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”; that is, since we are so weak in ourselves, that we cannot stand a moment;  and besides this, since our mortal enemies, the devil, the world, and our own flesh, cease not to assault us, do thou therefore preserve and strength us by the power of the Holy Spirit, that we may not be overcome in this spiritual warfare, but constantly and strenuously may resist our foes, till at last we obtain a complete victory.

Question 128.  How dost thou conclude thy prayer?

Answer.  “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever”;  that is, all these we ask of thee, because thou, being our King and almighty, art willing and able to give us all good;  and all this we pray for, that thereby not we, but thy holy name, may be glorified for ever.

Question 129.  What doth the word “Amen” signify?

Answer.  “Amen” signifies, it shall truly and certainly be:  for my prayer is more assuredly heard of God, than I feel in my heart that I desire these things of him.