Westminster Confession of Faith (20.3) and Larger Catechism (185)

Our greatest and loudest lament against the Westminster Assembly of divines was their unwarranted, unnecessary if not rash, and uncritical dismissal of the Book of Common Prayer. That act has forever impoverished Presbyterian and Reformed Churchmen to this day. Conversely, that black day in 1662 when English Puritans were thrown from the Christ's Church in England is also as matchlessly unjust and uncritical--in tossing out the Westminster Standards. The Church of England, to this very day, has been impoverished by this foolish act of English prelates. Fooled arguments are still heard on both sides to this day.

WCF 21.3, LC 185

September 6, 2009

Westminster Confession of Faith

Chapter 21.3: Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day

3: Prayer, with thanksgiving, being one special part of religious worship,[409] is by God required of all men:[410] and, that it may be accepted, it is to be made in the name of the Son,[411] by the help of His Spirit,[412] according to His will,[413] with understanding, reverence, humility, fervency, faith, love and perseverance;[414] and, if vocal, in a known tongue.[415]

Westminster Larger Catechism

Q. 185. How are we to pray?

A. We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the majesty of God,[1183] and deep sense of our own unworthiness,[1184] necessities,[1185] and sins;[1186] with penitent,[1187] thankful,[1188] and enlarged hearts;[1189] with understanding,[1190] faith,[1191] sincerity,[1192] fervency,[1193] love,[1194] and perseverance,[1195] waiting upon him,[1196] with humble submission to his will.[1197]