---
title: "Question 185: How are we to pray? | Westminster Larger Catechism"
description: "Westminster Larger Catechism, question 185: How are we to pray? We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the majesty of God, and deep sense of our unworthiness, necessities, and sins; w"
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-185-how-are-we-to-pray/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=154"
---

# Question 185: How are we to pray? | Westminster Larger Catechism

We are to pray with an awful apprehension of the majesty of God, and deep sense of our unworthiness, necessities, and sins; with penitent, thankful, and enlarged hearts; with understanding, faith, sincerity, fervency, love, and perseverance, waiting upon him, with humble submission to his will.

Scripture proofs: Eccl. 5:1; Gen. 18:27: Gen. 32:10; Luke 15:17-19; Luke 18:13-14; Ps. 51:17; Phil. 4:6; 1 Sam. 1:15; 1 Sam. 2:1; 1 Cor. 14:15; Mark 11:24; Jas. 1:6; Ps. 145:18; Ps. 17:1; Jas. 5:16; 1 Tim. 2:8; Eph. 6:18; Mic. 7:7; Matt. 26:39.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=154)

## Related reading

- [Question 184](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-184-for-what-things-are-we-to-pray/)
- [Question 186](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-186-what-rule-hath-god-given-for-our-direction-in/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-185-how-are-we-to-pray/