Prayer: What does Johann Gerhard say? (Week 3)
Join us as Pastor Ricky Jacob explores the 400-year old writings of Johann Gerhard and his thoughts on prayer.
Start at the beginning: Week 1
Gerhard wrote: There are four immovable truths on which our confidence to pray rests. Because of these, we may be certain that our heavenly Father mercifully hears our prayers. Today we will look at the first truth, namely - God's omnipotent kindness.
Gerhard wrote: What can [God] deny to us? The love by which we hold fast to God, no matter how faint it may be makes us eagerly desire to be subject to God's will in all things. Even so, we are much more sure of God's boundless love and goodness. Is not this the trust God wants? "He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him" (Psalm 145:19), says the psalmist, doubtless because God shows those who fear Him the purest and most perfect love. Indeed, perfect love gives itself totally to the one who is loved and grants what he or she desires.
God's goodness is omnipotent. Is there anything He cannot give to us? Nothing that God has promised is too hard or too difficult, much less impossible, for Him to do because He is the highest power (Luke 1:37).
Note the word 'promise.' 'Nothing that God has promised is too hard or too difficult, much less impossible.' Each and every good gift comes from God. God graciously hears our prayers - that is one of His promises. God has promised to take all those who believe in His Son, Jesus, to Himself in the new heaven on the new earth.
Gerhard taught the following benefits of prayer:
• [Prayer] follows God's gift of grace, and it leads ahead into glory.
• It is a soothing remedy for the misfortunes of this life and the sweet smell of the sacrifice of thanksgiving.
I close with this thought from Johann Gerhard:
Whoever is truly a child of God through faith will, with childlike trust, address his or her heavenly Father every day in prayer. The one in whose heart the Holy Spirit has made His home will, as a spiritual priest, daily offer to God this incense of prayer.