Question 35 — Whence do you reckon prayer, which is a part of moral and natural worship, among the institutions of Christ in his church?

Answer — On many accounts; as,

[1] because the Lord Christ hath commanded his church to attend unto the worship of God therein;

[2] because he bestows on the ministers of the church gifts and ability of prayer for the benefit and edification thereof;

[3] he hath appointed that all his other ordinances should be administered with prayer, whereby it becomes a part of them;

[4] because himself ministers in the holy place, as the great high priest of his church, to present their prayers unto God at the throne of grace;

[5] because in all the prayers of the church there is an especial regard had unto himself and the whole work of his meditation.

[1] Luke 18:1,21:36; Rom. 12:12; 1 Tim. 2:1,2. [2] Eph. 4:8,12,13; Rom. 8:15,16; Gal. 4:6. [3] Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 4:5. [4] Rev. 8:3,4; Heb. 4:14- 16,6:20,10:19-22. [5] John 14:13,15:16,16:23,26; Eph. 3:14,15.

The Life and Works of John Owen Vol.15