Prayer Teaching Sessions 1: Theology of Prayer
Session 1: The Relationship at the Heart of Prayer (aka Prayer and the Trinity)
Session 2: Gospel Prayer
Handout PDF: Theology of Prayer Notes
A few people asked for some quotes that weren't on the handout as well, so here you go:
‘Prayer is learning to enjoy what Jesus has always enjoyed.’ (Michael Reeves, Enjoy Your Prayer Life, p.21)
'We pray as it were by His [i.e. Jesus'] mouth, since He gives us entrance and audience, and intercedes for us (Calvin, Geneva Catechism)
'The Spirit applieth to us the redemption purchased by Christ, by working faith in us, and thereby uniting us to Christ in our effectual calling.' (Westminster Shorter Catechism, A.30)
‘Communion consists in giving and receiving.’ (John Owen, Communion with the Triune God).
'We can only pray "in the name of Christ" because Christ has already, in our name, offered up our desires to God and continues to offer them.' (James Torrance, Worship, Community and the Triune God of Grace)
Also, here are the hymns we mentioned:
From Redemption Hymnal, No. 386 - On sharing in the Son's good relationship with His Father
Behold the throne of grace,
The promise calls us near,
There Jesus shows a smiling face
And waits to answer prayer.
That rich atoning blood,
Which sprinkled round we see,
Provides for those who come to God
An all prevailing plea.
My soul ask what thou wilt,
Thou canst not be too bold;
Since His own blood for thee He spilt,
What else can He withhold.
Beyond thy utmost wants
His love and pow’r can bless;
To praying souls He always grants,
More than they can express.
Thine image, Lord, bestow,
Thy presence and Thy love;
I ask to serve Thee here below,
And reign with Thee above.
So nigh, so very nigh to God,
I cannot nearer be;
For in the person of His Son
I am as near as He.
So dear, so very dear to God,
More dear I cannot be;
The love wherewith He loves the Son,
Such is His love to me.
Why should I ever anxious be,
Since such a God is mine?
He watches o’er me night and day,
And tells me “Mine is thine.”
I cannot nearer be;
For in the person of His Son
I am as near as He.
So dear, so very dear to God,
More dear I cannot be;
The love wherewith He loves the Son,
Such is His love to me.
Why should I ever anxious be,
Since such a God is mine?
He watches o’er me night and day,
And tells me “Mine is thine.”
RH 539 - The Blood of Jesus is what we're relying on in prayer
Behold the throne of grace,
The promise calls us near,
There Jesus shows a smiling face
And waits to answer prayer.
That rich atoning blood,
Which sprinkled round we see,
Provides for those who come to God
An all prevailing plea.
My soul ask what thou wilt,
Thou canst not be too bold;
Since His own blood for thee He spilt,
What else can He withhold.
Beyond thy utmost wants
His love and pow’r can bless;
To praying souls He always grants,
More than they can express.
Thine image, Lord, bestow,
Thy presence and Thy love;
I ask to serve Thee here below,
And reign with Thee above.
Have a look at RH 385 (Why Should I Fear the Darkest Hour?) and RH 201 (Where High the Heavenly Temple Stands) as well. Jesus is all we need in prayer.