---
title: "Question 178: What is prayer? | Westminster Larger Catechism"
description: "Westminster Larger Catechism, question 178: What is prayer? Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of his Spirit; with confession of our si"
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-178-what-is-prayer/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=153"
---

# Question 178: What is prayer? | Westminster Larger Catechism

Prayer is an offering up of our desires unto God, in the name of Christ, by the help of his Spirit; with confession of our sins, and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies.

Scripture proofs: Ps. 62:8; John 16:23; Rom. 8:26; Ps. 32:5-6; Dan. 9:4; Phil. 4:6.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=153)

## Related reading

- [Keeping the Lord’s Day](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/lords-day/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 21: Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-21-religious-worship-and-the-sabbath-day/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 1: What is the chief end of man?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-1-what-is-the-chief-end-of-man/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 1: What is the chief and highest end of man?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-1-what-is-the-chief-and-highest-end-of-man/)
- [Find teaching on worship](https://ctkrp.org/sermons/?q=worship)
- [Question 177](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-177-wherein-do-the-sacraments-of-baptism-and-the-lords/)
- [Question 179](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-179-are-we-to-pray-unto-god-only/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-178-what-is-prayer/