Still it is very important for us to call upon him: First, that our hearts may...

Still it is very important for us to call upon him: First, that our hearts may be fired with a zealous and burning desire ever to seek, love, and serve him, while we become accustomed in every need to flee to him as to a sacred anchor. Secondly, that there may enter our hearts no desire and no wish at all of which we should be ashamed to make him a witness, while we learn to set
all our wishes before his eyes, and even to pour out our whole hearts. Thirdly, that we be prepared to receive his benefits with true gratitude of heart and thanksgiving, benefits that our prayer reminds us come from his hand. {Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, trans. Ford Lewis Battles, ed. John T. McNeill {Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 1960}, Book 3, chapter 20, section 3.}