The 4 rules of prayer according to John Calvin are as follows:
1. Heartfelt sense of reverence: The first rule emphasizes the importance of approaching prayer with a deep sense of reverence and awe. It is about recognizing the greatness and majesty of God, acknowledging His holiness, and humbly coming before Him. This reverence helps us to focus our minds and hearts on God, understanding that we are entering into a sacred and intimate conversation with the Creator of the universe.
2. Heartfelt sense of need and repentance: The second rule highlights the significance of recognizing our own neediness and sinfulness before God. Prayer is not just about asking for our desires, but also acknowledging our weaknesses, failures, and the ways in which we have fallen short. It involves a genuine repentance, turning away from our sins and seeking forgiveness from God. This sense of need and repentance opens our hearts to receive God’s grace and mercy.
3. Heartfelt sense of humility and trust in God: The third rule emphasizes the importance of approaching prayer with a humble and trusting heart. Humility is about recognizing our dependence on God and acknowledging that He is the ultimate source of all wisdom, power, and goodness. It involves surrendering our own will and desires to God’s will, trusting that He knows what is best for us. This humble trust allows us to bring our concerns, fears, and anxieties to God, knowing that He cares for us and will provide for our needs.
4. Heartfelt sense of confident hope: The final rule encourages us to approach prayer with a sense of confident hope. This means having faith in God’s promises and believing that He is able and willing to answer our prayers. It involves praying with expectation and anticipation, knowing that God is not only capable of answering our prayers but also desires to do so. This confident hope is not based on our own abilities or merits, but on the character and faithfulness of God.
The 4 rules of prayer according to John Calvin are a heartfelt sense of reverence, need and repentance, humility and trust in God, and confident hope. These guidelines help us to approach prayer with the right mindset and attitude, enabling us to have a deeper and more meaningful connection with God.