June 2001

By Jean LeStourgeon

MATTHEW HENRY: A METHOD FOR PRAYER
Edited and Revised by J. Ligon Duncan, III

Matthew Henry (1662-1714) an English pastor and prolific writer on the scriptures, completed a book on prayer in 1712. Henry was known as a man of prayer and of the scriptures. This edition of Henry's book on prayer was edited and revised by J. Ligon Duncan, III to assist and encourage modern Christians in both public and private prayer.

Duncan says, 'Few of us, perhaps, understand what prayer really is. We do not pray often. We do not pray with scriptural proportion, nor does our prayer much reflect the language and the thought of the Bible. We do not pray fervently. Maybe we really do not believe in prayer." Matthew Henry's, A Method For Prayer, is a remedy for this common malady amongst Christians today.

Matthew Henry's book outlines for the Christian a method of prayer based on adoration, confession of sin, petition and supplication, thanksgivings for mercies, and intercession and supplication for others (ACTS). Henry gives substantial coverage to each of these areas. First, he speaks to the reader about the importance of each area. Then he breaks down each area into its components for specific prayer. For example, under adoration there are fifteen components which Henry addresses including adoring God as the transcendent Being, as creator of the world, as existing in three persons, and as having dominion over us. Henry then takes the reader through each component and offers prayer that is completely generated from the scriptures.

Besides his method of prayer based on the ACTS format, Henry also provides a paraphrase of the Lord's Prayer. Henry takes the eight elements identified in the Lord's Prayer and expounds upon them, drawing completely from the scriptures to fuel these eight extensive prayers. Finally, Henry gives us a wide assortment of specific prayers that can be prayed both privately and publicly. These include prayers of thanksgiving for meals, the Lord's Supper, entering into the assembly, funerals, marriages, journeys, the Lord's Day, the weather, children, families and many others.

In addition to the method of prayer that Henry outlines for us, Editor Duncan included some goodies of his own. In part II of the book, there are three sermons by Henry on daily communion with God: how to begin every day with God, how to spend every day with God, and how to close every day with God. There are also three appendices in this book: an outline for scriptural prayer based on Henry's method of prayer, a pocket outline of the same, and a section on principles for public prayer.

This volume was prepared in order to reintroduce this great work by Henry to the broader Christian community. The outline numbering system has been modified to make it easier to follow, footnotes have been added referencing all the scriptures, and Latin and Greek phrases have been translated. However, most importantly, this volume has been prepared to help Christians learn to pray scripturally. Duncan says, "Praying scripturally will teach us what prayer is, even while we do it." This is a must in this day and age when Christians are weak in their knowledge of scripture and subsequently weak in prayer. Becoming acquainted with a scriptural pattern of praying will naturally elevate one's eyes and mind to be centered on God and not self. Scriptural prayer is the key to effective prayer.

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