[The Spirit] inspires confidence and boldness in prayer. "...[this boldness] consists in a holy persuasion that God is well-pleased with [our] duties, accepts [our] persons, and delights in [our] approaches unto his throne." Prayer, then, is a covenant privilege, and draws its inspiration, both in content and manner from what the Christian learns of God as the God of promise in the covenant, and through the Spirit.
There are both legitimate and lillegitimate prayers,
...the sole end and legitimate use of prayer [is] that we may reap the fruits of God's promises... . For we perceive the [Psalmist in Ps. 119:38] allows not himself to wish anything but what God has condescended to promise. And certainly their presumption is great, who rush into the presence of God witout call from his word.
Owen also instructs us in the way in which we should 'wait' on God for answers to prayer,
Wait for it believing, wait for it praying, - wait for it contending. Waiting is not a lazy hope, a sluggish expectation. When Daniel knew the time was come, he prayer the more earnestly. You will say, perhaps, What need [has] he [to] pray for it, when he knew the time was accomplished? I answer, prayer helps the promise to bring forth. Because a woman's time is come, there shall she have no midwife? nay, therefore give her one. He that hath appointed their return [from Babylon], appointed that is should be a fruit of prayer.
Ferguson sums up thus,
In this way the Christian is to be exercised in prayer, knowing himself, as he searches his heart; knowing the Scripture as he searches its pages; meditating on the glory of God and the intercession of Christ; frequently and fervently in prayer through the ministry of the Spirit.
Would that such provocations remained with me, particular when I'm most forgetful and foggy-headed. In those moments, come, Lord Jesus.
