John Knox — A Treatise on Prayer

He who, when necessity constrains, desires not support and help of God, does provoke his wrath no less than such as make false gods or openly deny God.

So that of necessity, true repentance must needs be had, and go before perfect prayer, or sincere invocation of God's name.

For nothing more offends God, than when we ask doubting whether he will grant our petitions; for in so doing, we doubt if God be true, if he be mighty and good.

So not to call upon God in your tribulation, is like as if you did not know God, or else utterly denied him.

Therefore it is a manifest sign, that such as are always negligent in prayer do understand nothing of perfect faith; for if the fire be without heat, or the burning lamp without light, then true faith may be without ferv…

Let no man think himself unworthy to call and pray to God, because he has grievously offended his Majesty in times past; but let him bring to God a sorrowful and repenting heart.