1. The Meaning

Hereby we are taught what grace we are to show in prayer. We must labor to give assent to God's promises when we pray, and strive against doubting and unbelief. Lord, I believe, Lord help my unbelief (Matthew 9:11). Why are you cast down, my soul, and why are you disquieted in me? (Psalm 42:11). Wait on God.

Many there are that will stand upon the strength of their faith, and plead for themselves that they never doubted, but they are far wide; for true faith being imperfect, is always accompanied with doubting more or less. Therefore the heart that never felt doubting, is not filled with faith, but with presumption. As for them which are troubled with doubtings, and complain of them, they have less cause to fear: for as fire and water do never strive till they meet; no more does doubting and faith, till faith be wrought in the heart.

To conclude, we see what an excellent work prayer is: in which two most excellent graces of a Christian are shown forth, hungering after mercy, and faith, whereby we believe the obtaining of it. This might move men to learn to pray, prayer being the exercise of grace.