Required reading
Systematic Theology by Charles Hodge (Vol 3) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 20.
My summary
Now Hodge discusses prayer as a means of grace.
Hodge teaches us about:
(i) the presuppositions of prayer (the government of God);
(ii) the object of prayer (God alone);
(iii) the requisites of acceptable prayer (sincerity, reverence, humility, importunity, submission, faith, the name of Christ);
(iv) different kinds of prayer (private and social);
(v) prayer as a means of grace;
(vi) the power of prayer.
What grabbed me
I liked the close of this section: 'Queen Mary of Scotland was not beside herself, when she said she feared the prayers of John Knox, more than an army. Once admit the doctrine of theism, that is of the existence of a personal God, and of his constant control over all things out of Himself, and all ground for doubt as to the efficacy of prayer is removed, and it remains to us, as it has been to the people of God in all ages, the great source of spiritual joy and strength, of security for the present and confidence for the future. The Forty-sixth Psalm still stands : " The Lord of Hosts is with us ; the God of Jacob is our refuge."'
Prayer is a wonderful means of grace.
Next week's reading
Commence Chapter 1 (State of the soul after death) by reading up to the heading '2. The sleep of the soul'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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