WCF 21.4
Westminster Confession of Faith
21.4. Of Religious Worship and the Sabbath-day
Prayer is to be made for things lawful; and for all sorts of men living, or that shall live hereafter: but not for the dead, nor for those of whom it may be known that they have sinned the sin unto death.
Proof texts
- 1 John 5:14 — [14] And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.
- 1 Tim. 2:1, 2 — [1] First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, [2] for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
- John 17:20 — [20] “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
- 2 Sam. 7:29 — [29] Now therefore may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it may continue forever before you. For you, O Lord GOD, have spoken, and with your blessing shall the house of your servant be blessed forever.”
- Ruth 4:12 — [12] and may your house be like the house of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah, because of the offspring that the LORD will give you by this young woman.”
- 2 Sam. 12:21, 22, 23 with Luke 16:25, 26
- Rev. 14:13 — [13] And I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Blessed indeed,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them!”
- 1 John 5:16 — [16] If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life — to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that.
For discussion
- The Assembly cited 1 John 5:14 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- 8 passages are cited here. Which does the most work, and is anything claimed that the proofs do not obviously carry?
- WSC Q88 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- WSC Q89 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
Read alongside
WSC Q88 · WSC Q89 · WLC Q154 · WLC Q155 · WLC Q158 · WLC Q159 · WLC Q160 · 1689 22.1 · IAR 6.1 · SHC 4.1 · SHC 4.2 · SD 22.1
Leader's notes
A Commentary on the Confession of Faith (A.A. Hodge): These Sections teach — 1st. That prayer is a principal part of religious worship. The word " prayer'' is used constantly in a more general and a more specific sense. In its more specific sense it is equivalent to supplication, the act of the soul engaged in presenting its desires to God, and asking God to gratify them and to supply all the necessities of the supplicant. In its general sense, prayer is used to express every act of the soul engaged in spiritual intercourse with God. In this sense the main elements it embraces are (a) adoration, (b) confession, (c) supplication, (d) intercession, (e) thanksgiving. Thus prayer in its wide sense includes all direct acts of worship. And hymns^…
An Exposition of the Confession of Faith (Robert Shaw): Our Confession having given a general description of religious worship, in regard to its object, and the manner in which it ought to be performed, proceeds now to give a more particular account of the several parts of religious worship; and, in the sections under our consideration, it treats of prayer, which is one special part of that worship we owe to God. Prayer, when taken in its most extensive sense, includes adoration, or a devout celebration of the perfections of God, and of his works, in which they are displayed; confession of our sins to God; thanksgiving for the favours which Ave have received from him; and petition for the blessings of which we stand in need. But prayer…